Etihad Orders 28 Widebody Boeing Jets During Trump’s UAE Visit
Boeing has secured a major aircraft order from Etihad Airways during U.S. President Donald Trump’s tour of the Persian Gulf, marking the second significant deal tied to the president’s visit. The Abu Dhabi-based carrier has agreed to purchase 28 widebody aircraft under a $14.5 billion agreement announced on May 15, 2025, shortly after Trump’s arrival in the United Arab Emirates.
The order includes a mix of Boeing 787 Dreamliners and next-generation 777X aircraft, all powered by GE Aerospace engines. The White House stated that the investment will deepen the aviation partnership between the UAE and the U.S., supporting 60,000 American jobs and boosting U.S. manufacturing and export activity.
Etihad emphasized that the fleet expansion aligns with its strategy to adapt to evolving operational and network requirements. The airline described the new aircraft as essential to its efforts to modernize and optimize long-haul operations.
The announcement follows a record-setting Boeing order by Qatar Airways on May 14, 2025, in which the airline committed to buying 130 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 30 777-9s, with options for 50 additional jets. That $200 billion deal is the largest widebody order in Boeing’s history and was also revealed during President Trump’s Gulf tour.
Trump’s four-day visit to the region included stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. During his remarks in Abu Dhabi, he claimed that over $2 trillion in investment agreements had been secured across the Gulf region, with over $200 billion attributed to commercial deals with Qatar alone.
The Etihad order further underscores growing demand for fuel-efficient widebody aircraft in the Gulf as airlines expand and modernize their fleets to meet global travel demand. The addition of Boeing’s 777X highlights Etihad’s commitment to long-term growth and positions it to compete more aggressively in the premium international market.
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