‍ADDIS ABABA — Ethiopian Airlines (ET) has placed a firm order for nine Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. While the purchase agreements were concluded in December 2025, the airline and Boeing announced them in January 2026.

"We are pleased to confirm the order for nine Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft to further expand our existing fleet,”  said Mesfin Tasew, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO. 

Ethiopian Airlines (ET) already operates a fleet of 30 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, the largest Dreamliner fleet in Africa. According to Planespotters.net, this includes 20 of the smaller 787-8 variant and 10 of the larger 787-9 variant.

Once the newly announced order is fully delivered, the number of Boeing 787-9 aircraft in Ethiopian Airlines’ fleet will increase to 19, bringing the total number of Boeing 787 aircraft to 39. This will further consolidate the Dreamliner as one of the airline’s primary widebody types.

The expansion of the Dreamliner fleet supports ET's long-haul operations, which form a key part of its global network. The carrier currently serves approximately 145 destinations worldwide, spanning Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas.

The Boeing 787 continues to see orders from major airlines worldwide. Earlier this month, Delta Air Lines (DL) confirmed an order for 60 Dreamliner aircraft, representing the carrier’s first direct purchase of the 787 family.

The aircraft are intended to replace older widebody jets in Delta’s fleet as they are delivered, supporting fleet renewal and long-term operating efficiency while updating onboard cabins.