In late May 2025, Qatar Airways took a strategic decision to cancel his order for 25 Boeing 737 Max 10 in an interview with Bloomberg in an interview with Bloomberg. A step that not only eliminates its short -term venture in type, but also rebuilds the entire narrow strategy of the airline. The order, including 25 more options for, was placed during the 2022 Faranborough Aircraft, at a time when the airline had an all -time lower relationship with the airline, the deal was deployed as a solution for the airline’s regional network, with the then CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes Stan deal. ,But two years later, the 737 Max 10 Certification Delay, which pushed its expected entry into the commercial service as soon as possible, forced the airline to reconsider. Qatar Airways is not alone in facing these failures, leading carriers like United Airlines, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines are also waiting with growing disappointment.In fact, Andrew Nosela, the Chief Commercial Officer of United, told Reuters that 737 Max 10 is not expected to come before 2027 or 2028, and the airline is now hesitant to convert any maximum 9 order into maximum 10s. “We want to see the aircraft certified before making firm commitment,” Nosela said.Meanwhile, Qatar Airways opted to run completely.
Fall, and harmonize with airbus
Qatar’s move to order 737 maximum 10s in 2022 was not purely performing metrics, it was a reaction to a growing legal and commercial dispute with Airbus. That year, Qatar Airways grounded all 29 of its Airbus A350, stating that the aircraft is described as the “quick surface fall” of the aircraft. In response, the airline filed a lawsuit demanding $ 600 million in damage from Airbus and publicly challenged the A350 fleet security and aerial. Accepting Airbus, cosmetic and surface issues, the aircraft stated that the aircraft were structurally safe and continued delivery to other customers. During this high-profile conflict:
- Qatar Airways canceled its remaining order for 23 Airbus A350.
- The airline also canceled a separate order for 50 Airbus A321NEOS, which was an important fleet for its short-hall operation.
At the peak of the fallout, the Boeing 737 Max 10 was pulled to fill the difference, the Qatar Airways was offered an alternative narrow solution, as this tie, temporarily, distinguishes the relationship. But in early 2023, the quarrel reached a resolution. Both sides issued a joint statement in which it was announced that the case was settled in a cordial manner:“Qatar Airways and Airbus A350 are blessed to reach a cordial and mutually agreed disposal regarding their legal dispute over the surface fall of the surface and the A350 aircraft. A repair project is now running and both sides are ready to secure these aircraft in air.” Subsequently, Qatar restored the order for 50 A321neos, and Airbus resumes distribution schemes for grounded A350s. Basti not only restored the development plans of the fleet, but also resetted the tone of Qatar-air relation.
Why the Airbus is back, and the boing narrowedness are out
Badar Mohammad Al Mir, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways, in an interview BloombergConfirmed that the airline had dropped the Max 10 order, including 25 more aircraft options. This decision, he revealed, was built in combination with a large new Boeing Widebody order that dwarfs the value of the narrow deal. Earlier this month, Qatar Airways placed its largest aircraft order, with 130 Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 30 Boeing to buy 777-9S, with options for additional 50 aircraft, a potential 210 widebody worth $ 96 billion. Responding to whether the airline was playing Boeing and Airbus against each other, Al Mir told Bloomberg Francin Lacwa: “You know, for some time, we need to focus on finalizing our agreement with Boeing. As you saw, we are not like other airlines, where we divide our orders today 20, next year to 20. Because we are baseing our order on a very concrete strategy and we decided to go with the order of 210 aircraft. However, this does not mean that Airbus is out of the game. Our narrowness will remain airbus. , In a separate public comment, Al Mir reiterated the airline’s direction: “Our narrowness [fleet] Airbus will remain. We are receiving 50 A321neos starting next year. Therefore our entire narrow fleet will be originally operated by Airbus. We continue to receive A350–1000s, and there will always be a chance for another order from Airbus. ,
What does Qatar Airways fleet look now, and what is coming
So far, Qatar Airways operates a limited narrow fleet that includes:
Current narrow fleet
- 27 Airbus A320s
- Two configuration:
- Version 1: 12 Business + 120 Economy = 132 seats
- Version 2: 12 Business + 132 Economy = 144 seats
- Two configuration:
- 3 boing 737 maximum 8s
- 8 Business + 168 Economy = 176 seats
Many maximum 8s operated by Qatar Airways have already been leased to IndiGo for routes between Qatar and India. The remaining three are expected to be phased soon, to combine your narrow fleet around the Airbus to combine with the airline plan.
Airbus order in pipeline
- 40 Airbus A321NEOS
- 10 Airbus A321LRS
Current and future widebody fleet
| Aircraft type | In the fleet | On order |
|---|---|---|
| Airbus A350-1000 | 24 | 18 |
| Boeing 787 | 41 | 130 |
| Boeing 777x | 0 | 90 |
Qatar Airways is already the largest operator of Airbus A350-1000 globally. The aircraft usually consists of two configurations:
- 24 Business + 371 Economy = 395 passengers
- 46 Business + 182 Economy = Premium-Offer Layout
In the coming years, the airline will boast one of the world’s most modern widebody fleet, which will operate from its hub at Doha Hamad International Airport (DOH).
What will happen next? More airbuses can follow the order
While Boeing has received a record-breaking widebody order, Qatar Airways may also return to Airbus for additional widebody. Prospects include:
- More A350s, to complement the current dominance of the airline in that model.
- Airbus A330-900s, its aging A330-200s and a possible replacement for the A330-300s.
Qatar opened the door to the new relationship with Airways Airbus for future deals, as the airline looks to refine and expand its fleet under a disciplined, long -term strategy. The airline is clearly not pursuing diversification for its own, it is targeting strategic alignment with operational efficiency, flexibility and its development ambitions.For Boeing, with a growing backlog of 737 maximum 10 orders, the manufacturer is now facing pressure to resolve regulatory barriers that placed the aircraft on the ground in the certification process. The delay is motivating several major carriers to reconsider their long -term fleet strategies. Qatar Airways Max is not alone to step back from 10; One of the largest customers of the aircraft, United Airlines has expressed deep concern over the delivery deadline. American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Alaska Airlines, with maximum 10 orders in the pipeline, are also closely looking at the certification timeline, some allegedly discovering alternative options or re -organizing existing commitments.
