Boeing Commercial Airplanes will introduce the 777-8 Freighter with Qatar Airways following an order for up to 50 of the new variant of the twin-engine wide-body jet series. The 777-8 Freighter will be world's largest twin-engine cargo jet, according to Boeing, with the most payload capacity and a 25% improvement in fuel efficiency, emissions, and operating costs.
The Qatar Airways orders involves 34 new aircraft and options for 16 more jets, a total purchase that would be worth over $20 billion at current list prices, Boeing said. It’s also the highest-value contract for freighter aircraft ever booked by the OEM.
Deliveries are scheduled to start in 2027.
In addition to the new cargo aircraft, Boeing and Qatar Airways signed a “memo of understanding” for 25 new 737-10 aircraft and purchase rights for 25 more. The total value of this 737-10 commitment is nearly $7 billion, Boeing noted.
As detailed by Boeing, the new 777-8 Freighter is being designed to maximize operating efficiency and environmental performance. It will incorporate a new carbon-fiber composite wing and fuel-efficient engines.
Qatar Airways booked an order with GE Aviation for 30 GE9X engines and four GE90-115B engines, which would be valued at more than $6.8 billion.
The new 777-8 Freighter will have a range of 4,410 nautical miles (8,167 km) and a maximum structural payload of 118 metric tons.
Boeing will build the 777-8 Freighter in its Everett, Wash., factory.
