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United Airlines to utilise new Boeing 737 MAX 8 fleet for intra-Asia flights
United Airlines announced the scheduled replacement of its entire Guam-based Boeing 737-800 fleet by early next year. The fleet which is regularly used for the airline’s intra-Asia flights will be replaced with ten new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, the first of which is slated for delivery by February 2026. According to a statement from United’s director of sales in Asia and Micronesia Kenichi Kiriyama: "Our investment in new aircraft to service our intra-Asia routes will deliver the premium experience our customers expect of United and is part of our broader commitment to elevating the customer experience across the Pacific region. For customers with connecting flights to or from the mainland US, these investments will mean a consistent, seamless experience from check-in to landing.” Better inflight amenities The new aircraft has 166 seats, all with USB charge ports, and bluetooth technology is also available for easy connections between wireless headphones and the seatback entertainment screens. Larger overhead bins, WiFi, and extra legroom seating are the other features of the aircraft. Onboard, WiFi will be available for purchase as United plans to roll out Starlink throughout its entire fleet within the next few years. Changes to flight schedules United is the only US carrier to fly intra-Asia with daily service from Manila to Guam, twice-weekly services from Manila to Palau, and a daily service from Cebu to Tokyo-Narita, with connections to the United States. Meanwhile, United also services nonstop trans-Pacific flights to and from the Philippines. The airline also announced that it will increase the frequency of its daily service from Manila to San Francisco to twice daily from 26th October.
Emirates welcomes its first retrofitted Boeing 777 in Africa
Following the advanced deployment of the retrofitted Boeing 777 aircraft to both Cape Town and Johannesburg last month, Emirates, hosted a guided tour of the fully refreshed aircraft. The airline showcased its next-generation cabins, featuring the latest sophisticated design and South Africa’s debut of the highly acclaimed Premium Economy Cabin. Johannesburg and Cape Town are the first destinations in Africa to be served by the retrofitted Emirates Boeing 777, demonstrating the airline’s steadfast commitment to South Africa. Key stakeholders from South Africa’s aviation and tourism sectors were in attendance, including Wrenelle Stander, CEO of Wesgro in Cape Town and Poppy Khoza, Director General South African Civil Aviation Authority in Johannesburg, along with Rashid Alardha, Emirates’ Vice President Commercial Operations, Sub-Saharan Africa and Afzal Parambil, Regional Manager for Southern Africa, Emirates. Commenting on the deployment, Afzal Parambil said, “As we celebrate three decades of service to South Africa, our commitment to bring the latest and greatest to the market is unwavering. Over the years, we have built strong relationships with our customers and are proud to have a very high percentage of repeat passengers, particularly on long-haul travel to destinations in the Far East and Europe. The deployment of our refurbished Boeing 777 – our first in Africa – will further elevate the experience for these passengers, with the introduction of Premium Economy and our new Business Class experience. We look forward to welcoming travellers from South Africa on the refreshed Emirates Boeing 777 soon.” A closer look at the refreshed Boeing 777 The refurbished four-class Emirates Boeing 777 features upgraded interiors with new design elements, including modern colour palettes, specially designed Ghaf Tree motifs, and wood finishes across all cabins. Each aircraft includes 260 latest generation Economy seats, 24 of the popular Premium Economy seats, 38 Business Class seats in 1-2-1 configuration and eight First Class Suites. Economy Class is decked out with a calming ocean blue interior, and high ceilings, giving a greater sense of space and light. The cabin features the latest generation seats with generous legroom, to ensure comfort is the top priority. The highlight is Emirates Premium Economy, introducing the much-lauded cabin to South Africa for the first time. Making luxury travel more accessible to a wider audience, Premium Economy offers an experience similar to Business Class on many airlines, with spacious leather reclining seats with full leg and footrests and adjustable headrests. It features in-seat charging points, a wood-finished side cocktail table, a 13.3-inch TV screen, a generously sized pillow and blanket, complimentary amenity kits on select flights and a globally exclusive sparkling wine - Chandon Vintage Brut 2017. Emirates’ Boeing 777 Business Class cabin has also been redesigned, with seats set-up in a 1-2-1 arrangement to offer privacy, aisle access and space to work, lounge and indulge in restorative rest. Each seat is wrapped in champagne leather, matching the ones on the latest Emirates A380, with detailed stitching and soft cushioned headrests. Described as a hotel room in the sky, Emirates’ First Class Suites maintain the highest levels of comfort, privacy and luxury that passengers have come to expect from Emirates and now offer refreshed interiors. Emirates’ industry-leading retrofit programme First initiated in November 2022, Emirates’ USD $5 billion dollar retrofit programme is one of the largest known programmes in the industry, with 219 A380s and Boeing 777s slated for nose-to-tail upgrades to enhance the onboard experience for passengers. The monumental project is handled entirely in-house by Emirates Engineering, with over 270 engineers and technicians work round the clock, devoting over 1,800 manhours each day to bring each aircraft to impeccable completion. To date, 67 aircraft have rolled out of Emirates Engineering – 32 A380s and 35 Boeing 777s. Once complete, Emirates will have installed 8,512 next-generation Premium Economy seats, 2,034 refreshed First-Class suites, 12,720 upgraded Business Class seats with entirely new configurations, and thoughtfully overhauled 68,364 Economy Class seats.
Korean Air announces plans to augment fleet with 103 Boeing aircraft
Korean Air announced its intent to purchase 103 of Boeing's fuel-efficient family of airplanes earlier today, 26th August. The South Korean carrier seeks to modernise its fleet and support further growth as it fully integrates operations with Asiana Airlines over the next several years. This historic agreement was signed during the Korea-U.S. Business Roundtable which centred on Partnership for a Manufacturing Renaissance. Howard Lutnick, US secretary of commerce, and South Korean minister of trade, industry, and energy Kim Jung-kwan presided over the event. Korean Air's commitment will be the airline's largest-ever order and Boeing's largest widebody order from an Asian carrier. A pivotal moment Korean Air chairman and chief executive Walter Cho said of the impending purchase: "This agreement with our long-standing partners, Boeing and GE, marks a pivotal moment for Korean Air. Acquiring these next-generation aircraft is the core of our fleet modernization strategy, delivering significant gains in fuel efficiency and enhancing the passenger experience across our global network.” Cho added that the investment is also a critical enabler for the airline’s future as a merged airline with Asiana, ensuring that the combined entity becomes one of the most competitive airlines in the global aviation sector. What happens now? Upon finalisation, the deal will mark Korean Air's first order for the 777-8F and will support an estimated 135,000 jobs across the United States. The order will be posted to Boeing's Orders & Deliveries website once it is completed and includes the following models: 20 777-9s 25 787-10s 50 737-10s 8 777-8 Freighters Korean Air's orders and commitments for Boeing airplanes in 2025 surpasses 150 units, following the airline's incremental order in March for 20 777-9s and 20 787-10s. This moved Stephanie Pope, president and chief executive of Boeing Commercial Airplanes to say: "We are honoured to strengthen our partnership with Korean Air through this landmark agreement, which reflects the value and capabilities of Boeing's market-leading airplane family. As Korean Air transitions to a larger unified carrier, we are committed to supporting the airline's growth with one of the world's most efficient fleets."
Korean Air introduces Premium Class aboard its Boeing 777-300ER fleet
Korean Air will introduce Premium Class service on its newly retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER, with the first flights launching on short- and mid-haul routes starting from mid-September. As part of this launch, Korean Air has invested approximately KRW 300 billion to fully retrofit 11 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft with completely redesigned cabins, bringing them in line with the airline’s latest aircraft interiors and onboard technology. The launch of Premium Class coincides with a complete interior overhaul of the airline’s Boeing 777-300ER fleet. Inspired by the design of Korean Air’s latest aircraft, the updated cabins offer a refreshed, modern experience across all classes. The aircraft now feature Korean Air’s newest seating products including Prestige Suites 2.0 in a 1-2-1 configuration for Prestige Class, and New Economy in a 3-4-3 layout. In a statement, the airline declared: “We’re committed to bringing the fully redesigned Boeing 777-300ER and new Premium Class to as many customers as possible. This fleet upgrade has been in progress since 2018 and, after delays due to the pandemic, we’re proud to now offer an elevated travel experience that meets our passengers’ evolving needs.” A new standard for inflight comfort Premium Class is positioned between the airline’s Prestige and Economy Classes, offering more spacious seating and upgraded service. While pricing varies by route and travel dates, fares are generally around 110 percent of normal Economy fares. The new cabin features 40 seats in a 2-4-2 layout, designed for greater comfort. Premium Class offers approximately 50 percent more space than existing Economy Class seats, with a seat pitch of about 1 metre, offering more space than many premium economy products offered by major global airlines. Seats are about 50 cm wide, recline up to 130 degrees, and come equipped with both leg and footrests. The seats also feature ergonomic headrests for gentle support and include wing-shaped sides to provide a greater sense of privacy from adjacent passengers. Passengers can enjoy an enhanced in-flight entertainment experience with 15.6-inch 4K resolution screens, which are larger than the previous monitors in Prestige Class on the same aircraft. On international routes, Premium Class passengers will enjoy a refined single-tray meal service, including a main course dish, appetizer, and dessert from the Prestige Class menu, served on Armani/Casa tableware. Beverages, including wine, coffee, and tea, are the same as those served in Prestige Class. Premium Class passengers will also benefit from priority ground services, including access to Morning Calm check-in counters, priority baggage handling and Sky Priority boarding. Wi-Fi is available across all cabins, and in-flight entertainment systems have been significantly upgraded.
Emirates introduces retrofitted Boeing 777 to Madrid
Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, has announced it will deploy its newly refurbished Boeing 777 aircraft to/from Madrid starting from 16 September. Customers can look forward to an enhanced travel experience with upgraded interiors and premium signature travel touches across all cabins. Madrid is Emirates’ first destination in Spain to operate with the airline’s next-generation interiors. Emirates’ four-class Boeing 777 will operate as flight EK143/EK144. Emirates flight EK143 will depart Dubai at 14:30hrs and arrive in Madrid at 20:20hrs local time. The return flight, EK144 will depart Madrid at 22:05hrs and arrive in Dubai at 7:10hrs local time, the following day. The deployment of Emirates’ retrofitted Boeing 777 to Madrid marks a new era of premium travel to the Spanish city - offering customers the airline’s award-winning Premium Economy service*, newly configured Business Class cabin, and a ‘better’ travel experience to/from the country. Enhanced travel experience Emirates’ newest Boeing 777 cabin interiors will wow customers with its modern design details and signature cabin finishings, including: A refurbished First-Class cabin with upgraded interiors offering unparalleled luxury. New Business Class cabin that provides more privacy and comfort for customers with fully lie-flat seats in an updated 1-2-1 seating configuration. Latest Premium Economy cabin which combines accessible luxury with comfort; offering cream leather seats, increased legroom, adjustable headrests, deeper seat recline and raised cushioned leg rests. Spacious Economy Class seats with new design elements. Serving ‘fly better’ experiences Emirates continues to invest in elevating the travel experience through its ambitious multibillion-dollar retrofit program — one of the largest in aviation history. With 61 aircraft already refurbished, including 31 A380s and 30 Boeing 777s, the program is set to upgrade over 220 aircraft with Emirates’ latest cabin products. Passengers travelling with Emirates will enjoy the airline’s regionally inspired gourmet meals, premium beverage selection, and award-winning inflight entertainment on ice with up to 6,500 channels of on-demand entertainment - including more than 260 channels of Spanish content.
Qatar Airways completes Starlink Installation Programme for Boeing 777s
Qatar Airways has completed the Starlink installation programme on 54 Boeing 777 aircraft, delivering on its promise to offer the fastest Wi-Fi onboard at a record speed. This milestone makes Qatar Airways the operator of the largest number of widebody aircraft equipped with Starlink technology. It also cements the airline’s position as the global leader in Starlink-equipped long-haul and ultra-long-haul connectivity, and the only carrier in the Middle East and North Africa offering the service. Originally scheduled as a two-year programme, the installation was completed in nine months; nearly 50% faster than planned. By cutting the retrofit time from three days to just 9.5 hours per aircraft, the airline completed the rollout programme without disrupting operations. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “This new milestone demonstrates our strategic investment in redefining our passengers’ expectations. We promised the fastest, most seamless in-flight connectivity in the industry, and with Starlink we have delivered it faster and at an unmatched scale. Having completed our rollout programme for Boeing 777s, we are now fully focused on equipping our Airbus A350 fleet with Starlink, bringing this game-changing experience to even more routes across our global network of over 170 destinations.” Passengers in both Premium and Economy cabins enjoy free, gate-to-gate Wi-Fi speeds of up to 500 Mbps per aircraft. Whether streaming, gaming, or working, they can expect a fast and reliable connection comparable, if not better, to their experience at home. Building on the success of the rollout programme for Boeing 777s, the airline is now equipping its Airbus A350 fleet, aiming to complete Starlink installation within the next year. Since launching the world’s first Starlink-equipped Boeing 777 in October 2024, Qatar Airways has operated over 15,000 Starlink-connected flights, continuing to redefine the modern travel experience with world-class services and pioneering innovation.
Vietjet poised to transfer 50 Boeing aircraft to Vietjet Thailand
Vietjet and Boeing formally announced an agreement to transfer up to 50 Boeing 737 aircraft to Vietjet Thailand. The transfer of the said aircraft is part of a strategic initiative to strengthen aviation and tourism connectivity between Thailand, Vietnam, as well as other countries in the region. The signing ceremony took place in the presence of Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra during the latter’s first official visit to Vietnam in over a decade. Boeing Southeast Asia president Penny Burtt said of the agreement: “We are pleased to partner with Vietjet and Vietjet Thailand to expand Boeing 737 operations in Vietnam and Thailand. Together, we aim to connect communities and drive economic development, paving the way for a prosperous future in Vietnam and the dynamic growth region that is Southeast Asia.” For her part, Vietjet chairperson Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao remarked: “The transfer of 50 modern and efficient Boeing 737-8 aircraft to Vietjet Thailand demonstrates our long-term commitment to sustainable aviation development in the region. We are determined to implement the ‘Three Connects’ Strategy between the two countries, encompassing supply chains, businesses, and localities.” A significant allocation Under the agreement, Vietjet will allocate 50 aircraft from its existing order of 200 Boeing 737s to Vietjet Thailand. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in October 2025, significantly expanding Vietjet Thailand’s domestic and international network, particularly enhancing air links between Vietnam and Thailand. As part of the agreement, Boeing will also provide Vietjet Thailand with comprehensive technical support, including pilot and engineer training, maintenance programs, and product services to ensure safe and efficient fleet operations in Thailand. This new agreement marks a new milestone in the robust and effective cooperation between Vietnamese, Thai, and US enterprises, with shared priorities in digital transformation, sustainable development, and narrowing development gaps among member states.
Etihad Airways confirms order for 28 wide-body Boeing aircraft
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, is further expanding its fleet, confirming an order for 28 wide-body Boeing aircraft. Since 2023, the airline has steadily grown its fleet as part of a long-term strategy to double in size by 2030. This reflects Etihad’s ongoing approach to aligning its fleet with evolving network and operational needs. The agreement includes a mix of Boeing 787 and 777X aircraft, powered by GE engines and supported by a services package. These aircraft are expected to join the fleet from 2028 onwards and will support Etihad’s existing plans for growth in connectivity, operational efficiency, and guest experience. “This commitment reflects our approach of carefully managing our fleet and expanding in line with demand and our long-term network plans,” said Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways. “Since 2023, we’ve made consistent additions to our fleet, and this latest step ensures we continue to meet our future requirements.” Etihad is currently finalising a detailed plan that will shape the airline’s strategy through to 2035. The additional Boeing aircraft will form part of that evolving roadmap, ensuring the airline is well positioned to deliver extraordinary customer experiences and to remain financially self-sustainable. “This addition reflects Abu Dhabi’s ongoing investment in aviation as a key enabler of connectivity, tourism, and trade,” said Neves. “Etihad’s continued growth supports broader economic opportunity in the UAE and beyond.”
Qatar Airways creates history with the Largest Boeing Widebody Order
Qatar Airways announced that the carrier has placed the largest aircraft order in its history with manufacturing partner Boeing. As part of its strategic fleet growth plan, the landmark order includes up to 210 Boeing widebody jets – 160 firm and 50 option – which is the largest widebody order and the largest 787 Dreamliner order in the American aerospace company’s history. Qatar Airways has also signed an agreement GE Aerospace for more than 400 engines, including 60 GE9X and 260 GEnx engines, with additional options and spares, to power its next-generation Boeing 777-9 and Boeing 787 aircraft – the largest widebody engine purchase in the history of GE Aerospace. Qatar Airways’ Historic Boeing Widebody Order Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said: “We are happy to announce our agreement with Boeing and our partnership in the largest widebody aircraft order in Boeing’s history and the biggest aircraft order in our history. This is a critical next step for Qatar Airways on our path as we invest in the cleanest, youngest and most efficient fleet in global aviation. This is so we can meet the strong demand in the airline as we seamlessly connect passengers to the world better than anyone.” He continued: “After two consecutive years of record-breaking commercial performance and with this historic Boeing aircraft order – we’re not simply chasing scale; we’re building strength that will allow us to continue to deliver our unmatched products and customer experiences. We thank our partners at Boeing for answering the call and look forward to a future of continued smart growth together.” The order includes: 130 787 Dreamliners, the long-range, ultra-efficient widebody airplane family that has delivered a 25% fuel-use improvement and superior comfort for passengers. 30 777-9s, the world’s largest twin-engine airplane that is designed to set new standards in efficiency by reducing fuel use and emissions by 25% compared to the airplanes it replaces, while elevating the passenger flight experience. Options for an additional 50 787 and 777X airplanes Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO, Stephanie Pope, said: “We are deeply honoured that Qatar Airways has placed this record-breaking order with Boeing, one that solidifies their future fleet with our market-leading widebody airplane family at its centre. Our team is looking forward to building 787s and 777s for Qatar Airways into the next decade as they connect more people and businesses around the world with unmatched efficiency and comfort.” Qatar Airways currently operates more than 150 Boeing airplanes, including 777 and 787 passenger jets and 777 Freighters. With this new purchase, Qatar Airways will become the largest Dreamliner operator in the Middle East. Qatar Airways’ Largest Widebody Engine Deal in GE Aerospace History The new GE Aerospace agreements solidify the company’s commitment to Qatar’s thriving aviation industry and build on the previous order for 188 GE9X engines, bringing the total to 248 engines. The addition of GEnx engines for the Boeing 787 fleet supplements their existing 124 engine order, further strengthening the national carrier’s commitment to efficiency and performance. The two deals also include service agreements to cover the maintenance, repair, and overhaul of the GEnx and GE9X engines. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “Our latest agreement with GE Aerospace reflects our confidence in the performance of the GE9X and GEnx engines to power our fleet of Boeing 777-9 and 787 aircraft. These next-generation engines are critical components in our strategy to ensure our fleet remains modern and efficient. Qatar Airways has ambitious plans for the future, and we value our continued partnership with GE Aerospace and their commitment to supporting our operational needs.” GE Aerospace Chairman and CEO, H. Lawrence Culp, Jr., said: “We are extremely honoured to deepen our relationship with Qatar Airways and grateful to them for placing their trust in us with our largest ever widebody engine deal. Our widebody engines – the GE9X and GEnx – are marvels of modern engineering, with the durability and reliability to power flight across the longest distances. We appreciate President Trump’s support for this historic agreement.” Qatar Airways has one of the most modern fleets in the industry and these historic orders with Boeing and GE Aerospace will solidify that leadership for years to come.
IndiGo adds Two more Boeing 787-9 aircraft
IndiGo, is further expanding its long-haul capabilities by signing another firm agreement with Norse Atlantic Airways for the damp lease of two additional Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. These aircraft, the fifth and sixth in this partnership, are expected to start operations by early 2026, serving long haul routes out of India. This agreement builds upon the existing partnership between IndiGo and Norse Atlantic Airways. Earlier this year, IndiGo signed firm agreements for the damp lease of one Boeing 787-9 aircraft, followed by another firm agreement in quick succession for three more Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. The total number of wide-body aircraft under this strategic collaboration now stands at six, one of which has already arrived and operating on IndiGo’s Delhi–Bangkok route from March 1, 2025. Pieter Elbers, CEO, IndiGo, says, “We are pleased to deepen our partnership with Norse Atlantic Airways by signing our third agreement for addition of two more Boeing 787-9 aircraft. This move reinforces our commitment to international growth and our customers, promising to introduce more options on long-haul routes. As we accelerate towards our vision of becoming a global airline by 2030, this partnership enables us to bolster our wide-body operations while staying rooted in our India-first approach.” The initial term of the lease is six months, extendable up to 18 months, and is subject to regulatory approvals. This continued momentum underscores IndiGo’s commitment to offering world-class travel experiences while unlocking new global destinations for Indian travellers.
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