Qatar Airways Ditches Boeing 737 MAX 10 for Airbus A321neo

Photo: Instagram/@qatarairways

Qatar Airways has decided to cancel its order for the Boeing 737 MAX 10, a move that reflects a significant change in its fleet strategy. The airline had originally planned to buy 25 of these aircraft, with an option to purchase 25 more. However, due to ongoing delays in the certification process, it became clear that the Boeing 737 MAX 10 might not be ready for service until 2026 or possibly later. Rather than risk these delays affecting its operations, the airline chose to cancel the order and shift its focus to Airbus.

Now, Qatar Airways is placing all its bets on Airbus for its smaller aircraft needs. It has reinstated an order for 50 Airbus A321neo planes, including a longer-range version called the A321LR. These aircraft will help the airline expand its network and serve more destinations in the region. The deliveries are expected to start in 2026. This decision will allow the airline to operate only Airbus narrowbody aircraft, making its maintenance and operations more streamlined.

Although Qatar Airways is moving away from the 737 MAX 10, it is still heavily invested in Boeing for its larger planes. The airline recently placed an order for up to 210 Boeing widebody jets, including 130 787 Dreamliners and 30 777-9s, with options for more. This keeps Boeing at the heart of Qatar Airways’ long-haul flights, where fuel-efficient, high-capacity planes are needed for international travel.

Currently, the airline's narrowbody fleet includes 27 Airbus A320s and 3 Boeing 737 MAX 8 planes, which will likely be retired or reassigned soon. The future fleet will consist of 40 A321neos and 10 A321LRs, making it one of the youngest and most advanced narrowbody fleets worldwide.

Qatar Airways may even think about replacing its older aircraft in the future with more Airbus models, including the A350 or the A330-900neo. The airline's standing in the international aviation market will be further enhanced by this.