Emirates Now Expects Just a Handful of Its New Boeing Jets in 2027

Emirates has been waiting years for the Boeing 777-9, the largest twin-engine passenger jet ever built and the backbone of its future fleet. Now its president, Sir Tim Clark, says the first deliveries will be smaller and later than hoped. According to Bloomberg, as reported by Aviation A2Z, Clark expects the Dubai airline to receive only three to five 777-9s toward the end of 2027, with deliveries possibly rising to around ten aircraft in 2028 — though he also voiced doubt about whether Boeing can hit that schedule.

The new estimate is another step back. Emirates’ 2025–2026 annual report had pointed to first deliveries from the second quarter of 2027, and Clark is now talking about the end of the year instead. Boeing originally planned to certify the 777-9 and start handing it over in 2020, which puts the program more than seven years behind its original timeline. Emirates is discussing its initial allocation with Boeing as the manufacturer works through certification.

Boeing is still flight testing the aircraft with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. In its third-quarter 2026 filing, the company said it expected approval for the remaining phases of flight testing by the end of 2026, and it is working with the FAA and its engine supplier on an engine durability issue identified in 2025. Boeing continues to say the first 777-9 will be delivered in 2027, but the final timing depends on regulators signing off.

For travelers, the delay has practical effects. Emirates has been retrofitting older 777s and A380s with new cabins, including Premium Economy, to keep its fleet competitive while it waits, and the 777-9 was expected to bring new seats and more capacity on busy routes. Fewer new jets in 2027 means the refurbished aircraft will carry more of the load for longer, and it may limit how quickly Emirates can add frequencies as demand returns across its network.

Sources: Aviation A2Z