FlyDubai orders 150 Airbus A321neo aircraft, expanding its fleet beyond Boeing

November 18, 2025 at 01:56 PM•2 min read•Naharnet Newsdesk

FlyDubai is breaking from Boeing after its latest $24 billion purchase – but which manufacturer did they choose to partner with instead?

Key Points

1FlyDubai orders 150 Airbus A321neo aircraft, diversifying its fleet beyond Boeing for the first time.
2The deal includes options for 100 additional A321neos, potentially doubling FlyDubai's current fleet.
3The order supports Dubai's expansion plans, including a $35 billion investment in a five-runway airport.
4Etihad Airways also ordered 16 Airbus aircraft as part of its expansion efforts.
5Emirates ordered 65 Boeing 777-9 aircraft, but expressed concerns about potential delays in the program.

FlyDubai, the sister airline of Emirates, has placed an order for 150 Airbus A321neo aircraft, marking a significant shift in its fleet strategy. This order, valued at an estimated $24 billion, signals FlyDubai's first expansion beyond its reliance on Boeing aircraft since its launch in 2009. The deal also includes options for an additional 100 A321neos, potentially more than doubling the airline's existing fleet of 95 aircraft. The A321neo, a mid-range, two-engine, single-aisle aircraft, mirrors the capabilities of the Boeing 737, which has been the backbone of FlyDubai's operations.

The purchase comes as Dubai invests heavily in expanding its aviation infrastructure, including a five-runway airport at Dubai World Central. This expansion aims to accommodate the growing ambitions of both Emirates and FlyDubai, enabling them to reach more destinations globally. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates and chairman of FlyDubai, emphasized the strategic importance of this order in strengthening the airline's long-term expansion plans.

Christian Scherer, Airbus' CEO of commercial aircraft, lauded FlyDubai as an efficiency-minded carrier that also offers a premium product. The announcement follows FlyDubai's $11 billion order for 30 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners at the previous Dubai Air Show in 2023, which will introduce wide-body aircraft to its fleet. Emirates also placed a significant order at the airshow, purchasing 65 Boeing 777-9 aircraft worth $38 billion. However, Emirates' president, Tim Clark, has voiced concerns regarding delays in the 777-9 program, urging Boeing to expedite production.

Etihad Airways, based in Abu Dhabi, also announced an order for 16 Airbus aircraft, including A330-900s, A350-1000s, and A350F freighters, as part of its own expansion efforts. This order follows Etihad's record profit of $476 million in 2024, signaling a financial turnaround for the airline after several years of losses. These investments reflect the growing competition and expansion within the UAE's aviation sector, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi vying for dominance in the global aviation market.