In a deal worth more than $20bn, Qatar Airways, one of the world’s largest cargo carriers, has ordered up to 50 777-8 Freighters, expanding its commitment to the Boeing 777X family.
The Boeing 777-8 Freighter will be the world’s largest twin-engine cargo jet with the most payload capacity and a 25% improvement in fuel efficiency, emissions and operating costs.
Qatar Airways will be the 777-8 Freighter's launch customer with a firm order for 34 jets and options for 16 more, a total purchase that would be worth more than $20bn at current list prices and the largest freighter commitment in Boeing history by value.
The order also supports hundreds of US suppliers from across 38 states, will sustain more than 35,000 US jobs, and provide the American economy with an annual estimated economic impact of $2.6bn during the contract’s delivery period.
The Boeing 777-8 Freighter will be the world’s largest twin-engine cargo jet with the most payload capacity and a 25% improvement in fuel efficiency, emissions and operating costs.
Qatar Airways will be the 777-8 Freighter's launch customer with a firm order for 34 jets and options for 16 more, a total purchase that would be worth more than $20bn at current list prices and the largest freighter commitment in Boeing history by value.
The order also supports hundreds of US suppliers from across 38 states, will sustain more than 35,000 US jobs, and provide the American economy with an annual estimated economic impact of $2.6bn during the contract’s delivery period.
Featuring advanced technology from the new 777X family and the proven performance of the market-leading 777 Freighter, the 777-8 Freighter will be the largest, longest-range and most capable twin-engine freighter in the industry.
With payload capacity nearly identical to the 747-400 Freighter and a 25% improvement in fuel efficiency, emissions and operating costs, the 777-8 Freighter will enable a more sustainable and profitable business for operators.
At the White House, US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, Qatar's ambassador to the US HE Sheikh Mishaal bin Hamad al-Thani, director of the White House National Economic Council Brian Deese, and Boeing president and CEO Dave Calhoun joined the formal signing by Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO Stan Deal and Qatar Airways Group chief executive, HE Akbar al-Baker, who reaffirmed the airline’s commitment to the 777X family with the record-breaking 777-8 Freighter deal.
The first delivery of the new freighter is anticipated in 2027, Boeing and Qatar Airways said in a joint statement last night.
“Boeing has a long history of building market-leading freighter aircraft and Qatar Airways is honored to have the opportunity to be the launch customer for the 777-8 Freighter, an aircraft which will not only allow us to further enhance our product offering for our customers, but also help us meet our objectives to deliver a sustainable future for our business,” HE al-Baker said.
“Today marks a great day in the ever-building and strong relationship between Qatar Airways and Boeing. We certainly push Boeing hard to deliver upon our expectations, and the team at Boeing consistently strives to meet and exceed our expectations, giving the opportunity for us to be here today to launch the most significant new freighter aircraft for a generation.
“We are delighted to launch Boeing’s next great cargo airplane – the 777-8 Freighter – with Qatar Airways, one of the world’s largest cargo carriers and our partner since the airline began operations 25 years ago,” said Deal.
“Our team is ready to create an airplane that will serve them well for many decades. Qatar Airways’ selection of the efficient 777-8 Freighter is a testament to our commitment to provide freighters with market-leading capacity, reliability and efficiency.”
Deal added, “We are proud that Boeing provides over 90% of the world’s dedicated freighter capacity. With global supply chains under pressure and high demand for e-commerce, the performance and capabilities of the fleet is more important than ever.”
Boeing is designing the 777-8 Freighter, the newest member of the 777X family, to maximise efficiency and environmental performance.
The wide body family features engineering design improvements and innovative technologies, including a new carbon-fibre composite wing and new fuel-efficient engines.
With a range of 4,410 nautical miles (8,167km), the 777-8 Freighter has a maximum structural payload of 118 tonnes, allowing customers to make fewer stops and reduce landing fees on long-haul routes. Boeing will build the 777-8 Freighter in its Everett, Washington factory.
The company has invested more than $1bn into the Everett site to support 777X production and sustain thousands of local jobs for decades to come.
As part of yesterday’s agreement, Qatar Airways will convert 20 of its 60 777X family orders to the 777-8 Freighter.
Qatar Airways is also ordering two current 777 Freighters – Boeing’s bestselling freighter of all time – to capitalise on the buoyant air cargo market.
Customers from around the world have ordered more than 300 777 Freighters since the programme began in 2005.
With payload capacity nearly identical to the 747-400 Freighter and a 25% improvement in fuel efficiency, emissions and operating costs, the 777-8 Freighter will enable a more sustainable and profitable business for operators.
At the White House, US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, Qatar's ambassador to the US HE Sheikh Mishaal bin Hamad al-Thani, director of the White House National Economic Council Brian Deese, and Boeing president and CEO Dave Calhoun joined the formal signing by Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO Stan Deal and Qatar Airways Group chief executive, HE Akbar al-Baker, who reaffirmed the airline’s commitment to the 777X family with the record-breaking 777-8 Freighter deal.
The first delivery of the new freighter is anticipated in 2027, Boeing and Qatar Airways said in a joint statement last night.
“Boeing has a long history of building market-leading freighter aircraft and Qatar Airways is honored to have the opportunity to be the launch customer for the 777-8 Freighter, an aircraft which will not only allow us to further enhance our product offering for our customers, but also help us meet our objectives to deliver a sustainable future for our business,” HE al-Baker said.
“Today marks a great day in the ever-building and strong relationship between Qatar Airways and Boeing. We certainly push Boeing hard to deliver upon our expectations, and the team at Boeing consistently strives to meet and exceed our expectations, giving the opportunity for us to be here today to launch the most significant new freighter aircraft for a generation.
“We are delighted to launch Boeing’s next great cargo airplane – the 777-8 Freighter – with Qatar Airways, one of the world’s largest cargo carriers and our partner since the airline began operations 25 years ago,” said Deal.
“Our team is ready to create an airplane that will serve them well for many decades. Qatar Airways’ selection of the efficient 777-8 Freighter is a testament to our commitment to provide freighters with market-leading capacity, reliability and efficiency.”
Deal added, “We are proud that Boeing provides over 90% of the world’s dedicated freighter capacity. With global supply chains under pressure and high demand for e-commerce, the performance and capabilities of the fleet is more important than ever.”
Boeing is designing the 777-8 Freighter, the newest member of the 777X family, to maximise efficiency and environmental performance.
The wide body family features engineering design improvements and innovative technologies, including a new carbon-fibre composite wing and new fuel-efficient engines.
With a range of 4,410 nautical miles (8,167km), the 777-8 Freighter has a maximum structural payload of 118 tonnes, allowing customers to make fewer stops and reduce landing fees on long-haul routes. Boeing will build the 777-8 Freighter in its Everett, Washington factory.
The company has invested more than $1bn into the Everett site to support 777X production and sustain thousands of local jobs for decades to come.
As part of yesterday’s agreement, Qatar Airways will convert 20 of its 60 777X family orders to the 777-8 Freighter.
Qatar Airways is also ordering two current 777 Freighters – Boeing’s bestselling freighter of all time – to capitalise on the buoyant air cargo market.
Customers from around the world have ordered more than 300 777 Freighters since the programme began in 2005.