Emirates and Beyond: The Truth About the 2025 Dubai Airshow
- Jamsheed Motafram
- 57 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Major airlines are diversifying their fleets: Etihad is ordering new Airbus A330-900s and expanding its widebody options, while Flydubai is moving away from an all-Boeing lineup by ordering 100 Airbus A321neos.
Emirates is doubling down on Boeing, rejecting the A350-1000 in favor of ordering 65 more 777Xs, and is actively pushing for the development of the next-generation Boeing 777-10, signaling a shift toward larger, more efficient twinjets.
The region is embracing innovation, with trends such as the rapid adoption of advanced aircraft and new technologies like Starlink’s in-flight Wi-Fi, positioning the Middle East as a formidable and forward-looking aviation market.
Last week’s airshow in Dubai was a showcase of the best of aviation, from military aircraft displays to Emirates showing off their 777-300ER, A380 and A350. But the real story of this airshow is how the Middle East is flexing its muscles in commercial aviation. So with all this said, here are the biggest stories from the 2025 Dubai Airshow.
Etihad Orders The Airbus A330-900
One of the biggest developments is Etihad procuring more Airbus widebodies. While ordering seven A350-1000s and three A350Fs is what is to be expected from the carrier, the big shocker is the procurement of 6 A330-900s with an additional nine leased from Avolon. So why would Etihad order the A330-900 when they already have the Dreamliner after phasing out the older A330 variants?
Coby Explanes stated in the video above that the A330neos can be delivered by 2027 which is quick by widebody standards, and they need new planes as soon as possible. Next, Eithad’s plans to expand their influence is pushing the Abu Dhabi-based carrier to procure more aircraft. The type would be more useful for routes between Abu Dhabi and destinations in India, the Gulf States and other Asian markets. This would be a good complement to the 787s that would be allowed on longer routes.
Emirates Rejects the A350-1000 for more 777-9s
In a stunning move, Emirates ordered more 777-9s as opposed to the A350-1000. There were rumors for weeks that the Dubai-based carrier would order 30 units according to Aviation week. However, Emirates is still not interested in the type due to the Rolls Royce Trent XWB 97’s issues with the hot desert climate in the Gulf. As a result, Emirates decided to order 65 more 777Xs to expand their fleet despite Tim Clark’s comments about the 777X.
Flydubai orders the A321neo
In another shocking move, Flydubai moves away from being an All-Boeing carrier by ordering 100 A321neos across different variants (neo, LR, and XLR). This adds more salt into the wound for Boeing’s mistake of cancelling the 757 program. So until the 797 is launched, Boeing will have a blind spot in this market segment. But there’s one story that should be the biggest one to come out of Dubai 2025.
Emirates Pushing for the 777-10
The biggest story that came out from Dubai 2025, is Emirates pushing for Boeing and Airbus to produce the 777-10 and A350-2000. However it seems that Emirates is favoring the former due to their order for 65 777-9s including a research and development clause to study if the 777-10 is feasible. That’s a game changer because after the A380 stopped production in 2021, it now opens the door for a new generation of superjumbos but with twinjets as opposed to quadjets. According to Nonstop Dan’s podcast recapping the Dubai Airshow (which I highly recommend listening to btw), the aforementioned 65 aircraft order for the 777-9 could be converted to the 777-10 if the project is feasible. Which basically means any hope for a potential A380neo variant in all likelihood is dead.
Conclusion
In summary, the 2025 Dubai showcased the best in innovation and this post is just scratching the surface of what aviation can do. And I didn’t even mention how Starlink is taking over internet wifi in the Middle East. All of this is exciting and gives me hope that the Middle East will be a formidable market in the years to come. Also big shoutout to Nonstop Dan, Coby Explanes and Boeing 777XLovers for their coverage of the airshow. But what do you guys think? What is the biggest story for you to come out of Dubai? Let me know in the comments below and keep looking to the sky!
(This post is dedicated to the Indian Air Force Tejas pilot who crashed at the airshow and his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Remember flying is a privlege we can't take for granted. Blue skies and tailwinds....)
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