Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines Announce Order for Nine 787 Dreamliners

Rhea-AI Summary

Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Ethiopian Airlines announced on January 20, 2026 that Ethiopian ordered nine 787-9 Dreamliner airplanes to expand its long-haul network. The airline also completed purchase of 11 additional 737 MAX jets in December 2025, bringing its recent finalized orders to a total of 20 Boeing airplanes.

Ethiopian will use the 787-9s to grow routes from Addis Ababa to Europe, Asia, North America and intra-Africa destinations. The 787 family is cited to reduce fuel use and emissions by 25% versus replaced airplanes and has enabled more than 520 new nonstop routes since 2011.

Positive

• Order for nine 787-9 Dreamliners finalized to expand long-haul network
• Combined 20-aircraft order (nine 787-9 + eleven 737 MAX) finalized in Dec 2025
• 787 Dreamliner cited to reduce fuel use and emissions by 25%
• Ethiopian operates Africa's largest 787 fleet and has the continent's largest Boeing backlog

Negative

• None.

News Market Reaction

+0.53%

1 alert

+0.53% News Effect

On the day this news was published, BA gained 0.53%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

787 Dreamliners ordered: 9 aircraft Additional 737 MAX jets: 11 aircraft Total new Boeing airplanes: 20 aircraft +5 more

8 metrics

787 Dreamliners ordered 9 aircraft Ethiopian Airlines order for 787-9 jets

Additional 737 MAX jets 11 aircraft Previously announced at Dubai Airshow

Total new Boeing airplanes 20 aircraft Combined 787 and 737 MAX orders finalized Dec 2025

International destinations 145 routes Ethiopian Airlines current international network

Fuel and emissions change 25% reduction 787 Dreamliner vs airplanes it replaces

New nonstop routes 520+ routes Opened by 787 Dreamliner family since 2011

Passengers carried 1+ billion Total passengers flown on 787 Dreamliners since 2011

Countries served 150+ countries Boeing commercial, defense and space customers

Market Reality Check

Price: $233.72 Vol: Volume 5,724,203 vs 20-da...

normal vol

$233.72 Last Close

Volume Volume 5,724,203 vs 20-day average 7,199,946 ahead of this order news. normal

Technical Price 247.68 is trading above 200-day MA at 208.66 before the announcement.

Peers on Argus

BA was roughly flat at -0.02% while key aerospace peers like LMT, NOC and TDG sh...

BA was roughly flat at -0.02% while key aerospace peers like LMT, NOC and TDG showed gains between 0.03% and 1.41%, indicating this Boeing order headline was more stock-specific than sector-driven.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jan 13 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Jan 13	Delivery update	Positive	+2.0%	Reported Q4 and full-year 2025 commercial and defense deliveries.
Jan 13	Widebody order	Positive	+2.0%	Delta ordered up to 60 787 Dreamliners, expanding Boeing’s widebody backlog.
Jan 13	737 MAX order	Positive	+2.0%	Aviation Capital Group ordered 50 737 MAX jets, extending deliveries into 2030s.
Jan 07	Earnings date set	Neutral	-0.8%	Announced timing and access details for Q4 2025 earnings release and call.
Jan 07	Mixed fleet order	Positive	-0.8%	Alaska Airlines placed a record 737-10 order plus additional 787 Dreamliners.

Pattern Detected

Recent Boeing aircraft order announcements tended to coincide with positive price reactions, though the Alaska Airlines order saw a modest divergence.

Recent Company History

Over the last few weeks, Boeing has reported multiple commercial milestones. On Jan 7, Alaska Airlines placed its largest-ever airplane order, while Boeing also scheduled its Q4 2025 earnings release for Jan 27, 2026. On Jan 13, Boeing detailed Q4 deliveries and announced new 787 and 737 MAX orders from Delta Air Lines and Aviation Capital Group, with shares rising about 2%. Today’s Ethiopian Airlines 787 and 737 MAX order fits this run of widebody and narrowbody demand updates.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement adds another commercial win to Boeing’s recent string of aircraft orders, with Eth...

Analysis

This announcement adds another commercial win to Boeing’s recent string of aircraft orders, with Ethiopian Airlines confirming 9 787-9s and an additional 11 737 MAX jets. It reinforces demand for the 787’s reported 25% fuel and emissions reduction and expands Boeing’s already significant presence in Africa. In context of other January orders and the scheduled Q4 2025 earnings release, investors may track backlog growth, delivery performance and any updates on widebody production plans.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

• East African airline will leverage more 787-9 jets to expand international network
• Ethiopian also completes purchase of 11 more 737 MAX jets

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, Jan. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Ethiopian Airlines announced today Africa's largest carrier ordered nine 787 Dreamliner airplanes as demand for long-haul travel continues to rise. Ethiopian Airlines will leverage the 787-9 jets to grow its route network, which currently serves 145 international destinations.

The airline's latest 787 purchase follows its commitment for 11 737 MAX jets announced at the Dubai Airshow. Both orders were finalized in December 2025 and boosts Ethiopian Airlines' order book by a total of 20 fuel-efficient Boeing airplanes.

"We are pleased to confirm the order for nine Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft to further expand our existing fleet. This order underscores our continued commitment to enhancing our fleet with modern, fuel-efficient aircraft, thereby further strengthening our customer service," said Mesfin Tasew, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO. "We will continue to acquire more aircraft and adopt the latest technologies as part of our strategic vision to advance sustainable aviation."

Ethiopian Airlines operates Africa's largest 787 Dreamliner fleet, flying its 787-8 and 787-9 jets on intercontinental routes from Addis Ababa to high-demand destinations across Europe, Asia and North America as well as key intra-African routes spanning the world's second-largest continent.

"The 787 Dreamliner family has proven to be a game-changer for airlines around the world, and we are proud to support Ethiopian Airlines in their mission to connect Africa with the global community," said Anbessie Yitbarek, Boeing vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing for Africa. "Together, we look forward to shaping the future of air travel with advanced, efficient and comfortable airplanes to serve their passengers."

The capacity and efficiency of the 787 Dreamliner, which reduces fuel use and emissions by 25% compared to the airplanes it replaces, enables Ethiopian Airlines to transport passengers point-to-point across Africa while accommodating cargo in the belly of the airplane for high-demand trade lanes.

Since 2011, the 787 Dreamliner family has helped airlines open more than 520 new nonstop routes between city pairs that were never previously served and carried more than 1 billion passengers.

Ethiopian Airlines operates the largest Boeing airplane fleet in Africa and has the continent's largest backlog of 737 MAXs, 777X and 787 Dreamliner airplanes.

A leading global aerospace company and top U.S. exporter, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. Our U.S. and global workforce and supplier base drive innovation, economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing is committed to fostering a culture based on our core values of safety, quality and integrity.

Contact
Boeing Media Relations
media@boeing.com

 

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SOURCE Boeing

FAQ

What did Boeing (BA) and Ethiopian Airlines announce on January 20, 2026?

They announced Ethiopian Airlines ordered nine 787-9 Dreamliners and completed purchase of 11 737 MAX jets, totaling 20 aircraft finalized in December 2025.

How will the nine 787-9 jets affect Ethiopian Airlines' route network and capacity?

Ethiopian will use the 787-9s to expand long-haul routes from Addis Ababa to Europe, Asia, North America and intra-Africa destinations.

What fuel and emissions benefit does Boeing cite for the 787 Dreamliner in the BA and Ethiopian order?

Boeing cites the 787 Dreamliner reduces fuel use and emissions by 25% compared with the airplanes it replaces.

When were the nine 787-9 and eleven 737 MAX orders for Ethiopian Airlines finalized?

Both orders were finalized in December 2025.

How does this order affect Ethiopian Airlines' Boeing backlog and fleet position in Africa?

The announcement increases Ethiopian's backlog and reinforces that it operates Africa's largest 787 Dreamliner fleet and the continent's largest Boeing backlog.