{"id":100211,"date":"2025-06-18T18:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-18T12:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=100211"},"modified":"2025-06-18T15:55:33","modified_gmt":"2025-06-18T10:25:33","slug":"qatar-airways-shifts-from-boeing-737-max-10-to-airbus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2025\/06\/18\/qatar-airways-shifts-from-boeing-737-max-10-to-airbus\/","title":{"rendered":"Qatar Airways Shifts from Boeing 737 MAX 10 to Airbus"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

DOHA-<\/strong> In a strategic realignment, Qatar Airways (QR)<\/a> cancels its entire order of Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft, originally aimed to boost its regional network. This move underscores the airline’s renewed commitment to Airbus, even as it finalizes a record breaking widebody deal with Boeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The decision comes amid continued certification delays for the MAX 10, now unlikely to enter service before 2026. Hamad International Airport (DOH)<\/a>, Qatar Airways’ hub, will soon see a fully Airbus operated narrowbody fleet as deliveries of A321neos resume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Harsh Tekriwal | AvgeekswithLens<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Qatar Airways Cancels Boeing Orders<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In May 2025, Qatar Airways CEO Badr Mohammed Al Meer confirmed to Bloomberg that the airline had walked away from its order of 25 Boeing 737 MAX 10<\/a> aircraft, including options for 25 more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Originally placed at the 2022 Farnborough Airshow during a rift with Airbus, the deal was intended to address narrowbody needs following the cancellation of Airbus A321neo and A350 orders amid legal tensions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, ongoing certification delays have changed the landscape. The MAX 10 is not expected to be certified before 2026, with United Airlines (UA)<\/a>, American Airlines (AA)<\/a>, and Delta Air Lines (DL)<\/a> also facing setbacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

United\u2019s Chief Commercial Officer told Reuters the aircraft may not arrive before 2027 or 2028, casting doubt on the program\u2019s near-term viability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Qatar Airways, opting not to wait, decided to cancel the deal entirely rather than gamble on further delays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: RVA Aviation Photography (Robin Van Acker) | Flickr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Airbus Orders Resumes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Boeing MAX order was originally born out of a high stakes dispute between Qatar Airways and Airbus over surface degradation issues on the A350<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2022, Qatar Airways grounded 29 A350s and sought $600 million in damages, triggering one of the most public legal battles in aviation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbus responded by canceling pending A350 and A321neo<\/a> orders. To fill the resulting gap, Qatar placed its bet on Boeing\u2019s 737 MAX 10.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But in early 2023, the conflict was resolved. According to TOI<\/a>, both parties announced a mutual settlement and resumed delivery schedules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As part of the resolution, Qatar Airways reinstated its order for 50 Airbus A321neos, positioning Airbus as the sole supplier of its future narrowbody fleet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Qatar Airways<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Boeing\u2019s Role in Widebody Expansion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite the MAX 10 cancellation, Qatar Airways continues to engage with Boeing on a much larger scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earlier this month, the airline placed its largest ever aircraft order: 130 Boeing 787 Dreamliners<\/a> and 30 Boeing 777-9s, with options for 50 more, totaling up to 210 widebody aircraft valued at $96 billion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CEO Al Meer emphasized that the narrowbody fleet will remain Airbus exclusive, even as Boeing secures dominance in widebodies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He clarified that the strategy is not about pitting manufacturers against one another, but rather optimizing for operational efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur narrowbody [fleet] will continue to be Airbus,\u201d Al Meer reiterated. \u201cWe are receiving 50 A321neos starting next year. So our whole narrowbody fleet will be basically operated by Airbus.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Qatar Airways<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Qatar Airways Fleet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Current Narrowbody Fleet:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n