International Airlines Group (IAG) has announced orders for 71 long-haul airliners from both Boeing and Airbus. IAG is the parent group of British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Vueling and Level.
The group stated that the order consists of 32 Boeing 787-10 for British Airways, which will bring the airline’s fleet up to 50 of the type once deliveries are complete, with options for a further ten. In addition, options for a further six (out of 24) Boeing 777-9 have been exercised, taking British flag carrier’s firm orders of the 777-9 from 18 to 24. Furthermore, six options for the Airbus A350-1000 have also been converted, taking its total of the Airbus flagship also to 24. British Airways received its last of 18 firm order A350-1000 in February of 2024.
The order also consists of 21 Airbus A330-900, which will be delivered to either Aer Lingus or Iberia. Both airlines already operate a fleet of both variants of the Airbus A330ceo (-200 and -300 variants), while Iberia also has 21 Airbus A350-900. The addition of the A330neo has the option to both strengthen both airlines long-haul offerings, whilst allowing scope for fleet renewal, as the fleets of A330ceo age.
Notably, the Boeing 777-9 is still yet to enter commercial service, following ongoing delays to the flight test program. These delays stem from a multitude of reasons, including issues with the development of the General Electric GE9X engines (the exclusive powerplant for the 777X family) and management and legislative issues within Boeing itself. The 777-9 is currently projected to enter service in 2026 with launch customer Lufthansa.
Originally forecast to enter service in 2019, the Boeing 777-9 will be the largest passenger jet on the market, following the end of the Airbus A380 program. Designed to fill the market gap left from the Boeing 747, A380 and also replace earlier Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, the 777-9 will prove crucial to the future of British Airways’ long-haul operations, as London Heathrow continues to be running at slot capacity. This is a problem that will only exacerbate, as the A380 fleets age and passenger numbers only grow, with no end in sight for the proposed third runway expansion of London Heathrow.
Matt is a Berlin-based writer and reporter for International Flight Network. Originally from London, he has been involved in aviation from a very young age and has a particular focus on aircraft safety, accidents and technical details.
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