Ethiopian Airlines has confirmed an order for nine additional Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, reinforcing its long-haul capacity as international travel demand continues to grow. The agreement strengthens the carrier’s position as Africa’s largest airline and supports further expansion of its global route network from its hub in Addis Ababa.
The newly ordered aircraft are Boeing 787-9 variants, which Ethiopian Airlines plans to deploy on intercontinental services linking Africa with Europe, Asia and North America, as well as on high-demand routes within Africa. The airline currently serves around 145 international destinations, making it one of the most connected carriers on the continent.
Part of a wider fleet expansion
The Dreamliner order follows Ethiopian Airlines’ recent purchase of 11 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, bringing its confirmed Boeing acquisitions finalised in late 2025 to a total of 20 planes. Together, the orders reflect a broader strategy to modernise the fleet with more fuel-efficient aircraft while supporting both passenger growth and cargo operations.
Ethiopian Airlines already operates Africa’s largest fleet of 787 aircraft, including both the 787-8 and 787-9. These jets are used primarily on long-haul routes, where their range and operating efficiency allow the airline to serve distant markets directly from East Africa.
Efficiency and network growth
The Boeing 787 family is designed to reduce fuel use and emissions by around 25% compared with the aircraft it typically replaces. For airlines, this translates into lower operating costs and the ability to open or sustain routes that might not be viable with older aircraft types.
For Ethiopian Airlines, the additional 787-9s provide flexibility to increase frequencies on established routes or introduce new long-haul services. The aircraft’s capacity also supports belly-hold cargo, an important revenue stream on many African trade corridors where passenger and freight demand overlap.
Boeing’s role in African aviation
Boeing remains a major supplier to Ethiopian Airlines, which operates the largest Boeing fleet on the continent and holds significant outstanding orders for future aircraft, including 737 MAX, 777X and additional 787 models. The manufacturer has positioned the Dreamliner as a key aircraft for airlines seeking to connect secondary and long-distance city pairs more efficiently.
Since entering service in 2011, the 787 programme has enabled airlines worldwide to launchits opening hundreds of new nonstop routes and has carried more than a billion passengers globally. Ethiopian Airlines has been among the early and most prominent adopters of the type in Africa.
What this means
For travellers, the expanded 787 fleet is likely to support more long-haul options, improved connectivity through Addis Ababa, and newer aircraft on key international routes. For the airline, the order underlines a continued focus on growth, efficiency and sustainability as competition intensifies across global aviation markets.
When and where
The aircraft order was announced on 20 January 2026 by Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines, with details reported by PlaneTalking.
