Ethiopian Deepens Boeing Bet: 11 More 737 MAX 8s
Ethiopian Airlines has ordered 11 additional Boeing 737 MAX 8s, extending a long partnership with the US planemaker and lifting the carrier’s MAX 8 backlog to 39 jets. The commitment was unveiled at the Dubai Airshow 2025, where Boeing executives publicly thanked Ethiopian for its “unwavering” support—an acknowledgement of the difficult history the two sides have worked through since the MAX grounding.
What the deal delivers
The new narrowbodies will bolster Ethiopian’s already MAX-led short-haul operation and keep the airline on track as Africa’s largest and one of its youngest fleets. Ethiopian currently flies 22 737 MAX 8s, alongside a small contingent of 737-700s and 737-800s (including freighters). On long-haul, the carrier fields 787-8/-9s and 777-200LR/-300ERs, plus 767 and 777 freighters for cargo.
Why Boeing—and why now
Ethiopian has rebuilt its working relationship with Boeing and is leaning on the MAX 8’s economics to densify regional flying within Africa and to nearby markets in the Middle East, India, and Southern Europe. The airline framed the order as part of a broader fleet program that balances fuel burn, range, and maintenance commonality—key levers for keeping costs in check while growing capacity.
Widebody follow-on in the wings
Alongside the MAX news, Ethiopian signaled it is likely to add more 787 Dreamliners in the coming weeks, reinforcing a two-pronged narrowbody/long-haul Boeing strategy. That would complement an existing Dreamliner fleet of 29 aircraft (19 787-8s and 10 787-9s) and give the airline further flexibility on Europe, Asia, and North America.
The network impact
Expect the added MAX 8s to:
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Thicken high-demand regional routes and enable additional frequencies where slots are scarce.
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Open thinner medium-haul markets that suit the MAX 8’s range and costs.
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Backfill operational resilience, reducing swap-driven disruptions during peak periods.
Bottom Line
Ethiopian’s 11-plane top-up of the 737 MAX 8 solidifies a renewed, pragmatic partnership with Boeing and sets the stage for a fresh 787 order. The combined moves keep Africa’s flag carrier on an efficient, Boeing-centric path: MAXes to scale the region, Dreamliners to stretch long-haul—with room left to grow.
