Doha, May 28 - Qatar Airways has officially canceled its order for up to 50 Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft, comprising 25 firm orders and 25 options, placed in 2022. This decision, confirmed by Qatar Airways' CEO, Badr Mohammed Al Meer, in an interview with Bloomberg, marks a strategic realignment in the airline’s fleet planning, driven by operational needs and the resolution of a prior dispute with Airbus. The cancellation is not entirely unexpected, as speculation about the airline potentially abandoning the 737 MAX 10 order had been circulating since late 2024, fueled by ongoing certification delays for the aircraft and a shift in the airline’s fleet requirements.
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The original order for the Boeing 737 MAX 10, the largest variant of the 737 MAX family, was placed during a contentious period in Qatar Airways’ relationship with Airbus. In 2022, a dispute over surface paint issues on the Airbus A350 led to a legal battle, during which Airbus canceled an order for 50 A321neo jets intended for Qatar Airways. In response, Qatar Airways turned to Boeing, placing an order for the 737 MAX 10 as a strategic move to secure narrow-body aircraft to meet its regional network demands. However, a settlement reached in 2023 resolved the conflict with Airbus, reinstating the A321neo order and restoring the business relationship between the two parties. With the Airbus A321neo now back in the picture, the need for the Boeing 737 MAX 10 diminished, as the A320-family aircraft better aligns with Qatar Airways’ operational requirements, offering improved efficiency and compatibility with its existing fleet.
The Boeing 737 MAX 10’s ongoing certification delays with the Federal Aviation Administration have further complicated its delivery timeline, adding uncertainty to its integration into Qatar Airways’ operations. These delays, coupled with the airline’s strategic shift toward a more cohesive narrowbody fleet, prompted the cancellation. Qatar Airways currently operates a limited number of Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft as a temporary capacity solution, but plans are in place to phase these out, potentially reallocating them to partner airlines such as RwandAir or Virgin Australia, which already operate the model. Meanwhile, the airline is accelerating its acquisition of Airbus A321neos and A321LRs, with 50 narrowbody jets on order to streamline maintenance, crew training, and long-term cost efficiency.
Despite the cancellation of the 737 MAX 10 order, Qatar Airways remains committed to Boeing for its widebody fleet. The airline recently announced a record-breaking $96 billion deal for up to 210 widebody jets, including 130 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 30 Boeing 777-9s, with options for 50 additional aircraft. This order, finalized during a visit by U.S. President Donald Trump to Doha in May 2025, underscores Qatar Airways’ dual-source strategy, balancing its reliance on Boeing for long-haul operations with Airbus for its narrowbody needs. The cancellation of the 737 MAX 10 order reflects a pragmatic decision to optimize its fleet for regional travel while maintaining a strong partnership with Boeing for its long-haul ambitions. This move highlights Qatar Airways’ focus on operational efficiency and adaptability in a dynamic aviation market.