Paris, June 20 - Qatar Airways, one of the world’s leading airlines, has made a significant strategic shift in its fleet planning by canceling its order for Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft and recommitting to Airbus for its narrowbody fleet. This decision, confirmed in May 2025 by CEO Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, marks a pivotal moment for the Doha-based carrier as it realigns its operational strategy to prioritize efficiency, reliability, and fleet cohesion. The move reflects a combination of practical considerations, including Boeing’s ongoing certification delays, and a resolution of past tensions with Airbus, positioning Qatar Airways to streamline its short- and medium-haul operations with the Airbus A321neo.
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The original order for 25 Boeing 737 MAX 10s, with options for 25 more, was placed in 2022 at the Farnborough Airshow during a period of strained relations with Airbus. At the time, Qatar Airways was embroiled in a high-profile legal dispute with the European manufacturer over surface degradation issues on its A350 fleet. The disagreement led to the grounding of 29 A350s and the cancellation of orders for 23 A350s and 50 A321neo Aircraft, prompting Qatar Airways to turn to Boeing to fill the gap in its narrow-body fleet. The 737 MAX 10 was seen as a viable alternative for the airline’s regional network, with Boeing’s then-CEO Stan Deal praising its suitability for Qatar’s short- and medium-haul routes. However, persistent delays in the 737 MAX 10’s certification process, which have pushed its commercial service entry to at least 2026, have disrupted the airline’s plans. These delays, coupled with a 2023 settlement that resolved the Airbus dispute, prompted Qatar Airways to reassess its fleet strategy.
The resolution with Airbus reinstated Qatar Airways’ order for 50 A321neos, including 40 A321neos and 10 A321LRs, which are now set to become the cornerstone of its narrowbody operations. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2026, enabling the airline to phase out its limited fleet of Boeing 737 MAX 8s, which were originally intended for Russia’s S7 Airlines but acquired by Qatar Airways due to international sanctions. These MAX 8s, numbering nine, were always a temporary solution and misaligned with the airline’s predominantly Airbus narrowbody fleet, which includes 27 A320ceos. The A321neo offers greater versatility, better alignment with Qatar’s existing operations, and enhanced passenger comfort, with configurations that include lie-flat beds on some aircraft. This shift allows Qatar Airways to standardize its narrowbody fleet, improving maintenance coordination, crew training, and long-term cost efficiency.
While Qatar Airways has canceled its 737 MAX 10 order, it maintains a strong relationship with Boeing for its widebody fleet. The airline recently signed a $96 billion deal for up to 210 Boeing widebody aircraft, including 130 787 Dreamliners and 30 777Xs, underscoring a dual-source strategy that balances Airbus for narrowbody needs and Boeing for long-haul growth. This approach reflects Qatar Airways’ pragmatic fleet planning, aiming to support its goal of increasing passenger volume from 50 million to 80 million annually over the next five to six years. The cancellation of the 737 MAX 10 order is not a rejection of Boeing but a strategic return to Airbus for short- and medium-haul operations, driven by operational needs and market demands. As Qatar Airways prepares for the Paris Air Show 2025, speculation about additional Airbus orders, potentially for more A350-1000s, suggests that the airline’s commitment to Airbus may deepen further, reinforcing its position as a global leader in aviation with a modern, efficient fleet.