DOHA- In a strategic realignment, Qatar Airways (QR) cancels its entire order of Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft, originally aimed to boost its regional network. This move underscores the airline’s renewed commitment to Airbus, even as it finalizes a record breaking widebody deal with Boeing.
The decision comes amid continued certification delays for the MAX 10, now unlikely to enter service before 2026. Hamad International Airport (DOH), Qatar Airways’ hub, will soon see a fully Airbus operated narrowbody fleet as deliveries of A321neos resume.
Photo: Harsh Tekriwal | AvgeekswithLensQatar Airways Cancels Boeing Orders
In May 2025, Qatar Airways CEO Badr Mohammed Al Meer confirmed to Bloomberg that the airline had walked away from its order of 25 Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft, including options for 25 more.
Originally placed at the 2022 Farnborough Airshow during a rift with Airbus, the deal was intended to address narrowbody needs following the cancellation of Airbus A321neo and A350 orders amid legal tensions.
However, ongoing certification delays have changed the landscape. The MAX 10 is not expected to be certified before 2026, with United Airlines (UA), American Airlines (AA), and Delta Air Lines (DL) also facing setbacks.
United’s Chief Commercial Officer told Reuters the aircraft may not arrive before 2027 or 2028, casting doubt on the program’s near-term viability.
Qatar Airways, opting not to wait, decided to cancel the deal entirely rather than gamble on further delays.
Photo: RVA Aviation Photography (Robin Van Acker) | FlickrAirbus Orders Resumes
The Boeing MAX order was originally born out of a high stakes dispute between Qatar Airways and Airbus over surface degradation issues on the A350.
In 2022, Qatar Airways grounded 29 A350s and sought $600 million in damages, triggering one of the most public legal battles in aviation.
Airbus responded by canceling pending A350 and A321neo orders. To fill the resulting gap, Qatar placed its bet on Boeing’s 737 MAX 10.
But in early 2023, the conflict was resolved. According to TOI, both parties announced a mutual settlement and resumed delivery schedules.
As part of the resolution, Qatar Airways reinstated its order for 50 Airbus A321neos, positioning Airbus as the sole supplier of its future narrowbody fleet.
Photo: Qatar AirwaysBoeing’s Role in Widebody Expansion
Despite the MAX 10 cancellation, Qatar Airways continues to engage with Boeing on a much larger scale.
Earlier this month, the airline placed its largest ever aircraft order: 130 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 30 Boeing 777-9s, with options for 50 more, totaling up to 210 widebody aircraft valued at $96 billion.
CEO Al Meer emphasized that the narrowbody fleet will remain Airbus exclusive, even as Boeing secures dominance in widebodies.
He clarified that the strategy is not about pitting manufacturers against one another, but rather optimizing for operational efficiency.
“Our narrowbody [fleet] will continue to be Airbus,” Al Meer reiterated. “We are receiving 50 A321neos starting next year. So our whole narrowbody fleet will be basically operated by Airbus.”
Photo: Qatar AirwaysQatar Airways Fleet
Current Narrowbody Fleet:
- 27 Airbus A320s in two seating configurations (132 or 144 seats).
- 3 Boeing 737 MAX 8s (176 seats), soon to be phased out or leased.
Incoming Narrowbody Orders:
- 40 Airbus A321neos
- 10 Airbus A321LRs
- Deliveries start in 2026
Current Widebody Fleet:
| Airbus A350-1000 | 24 | 18 |
| Boeing 787 | 41 | 130 |
| Boeing 777X | 0 | 90 |
Qatar Airways is already the world’s largest operator of the Airbus A350-1000, configured to serve both standard and premium heavy long-haul routes.
With its robust pipeline of A321neos and A350s, the airline is shaping one of the most modern fleets globally.
Photo: Via Qatar Airways Twitter Handle, Airbus A350.Future Outlook
Even with a strong Boeing widebody partnership, Qatar Airways may not be done with Airbus. Industry analysts speculate the airline could soon order more A350s or consider the Airbus A330-900neo to replace aging A330 variants.
The strategy appears to favor platform standardization and operational efficiency over diversification.
Meanwhile, Boeing must address its backlog and certification delays for the MAX 10, as customers like United, Delta, and Alaska Airlines weigh alternatives.
Qatar Airways’ exit from the MAX 10 program adds to mounting industry pressure on Boeing to deliver timely solutions.
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The post Qatar Airways Shifts from Boeing 737 MAX 10 to Airbus appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
