Africa's Largest Boeing 787 Operator Firms Up 6 More Dreamliners

Published Apr 21, 2026, 1:07 AM EDT Journalist - Aaron joins the Simple Flying team with 14 years of experience in the travel & tourism industry. He has a background in airports and travel consulting for global companies in New Zealand, Europe, and North America. An Avid traveler, Aaron has visited 52+ countries across five continents. Based in Canterbury, New Zealand The largest airline in Africa by passenger number and fleet size continues to grow with today's announcement that Ethiopian Airlines has purchased six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. These were part of a previous order placed as options, which has now been converted to a firm order of the popular 787-9 variant. These planes are expected to support the intercontinental network growth for the Star Alliance carrier and increase overall cargo capacity across its network. The airline already operates an extensive network from its home at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD), and is showing no signs of slowing down. Ethiopian Airlines Converts Six Boeing 787-9 Options To Firm Orders Credit: Shutterstock Ethiopian already operates the largest 787 fleet in all of the African continent, and currently has both the 787-8 and 787-9 in its fleet. These planes are well-suited to operate the airline's intercontinental routes from Addis Ababa, which span various destinations across Asia, Europe, and North America, in addition to its extensive intra-African network. This latest announcement further cements the airline's dominance in the African aviation market, and will complement the carriers exisiting widebody fleet, which includes the Boeing 777-200LR , 777-300ER , and Airbus A350-900 and A350-1000 . Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO, Mr. Mesfin Tasew, celebrated the latest Dreamliner annoucement as shared in the Boeing media release : "Converting the options of six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner airplanes into a firm order is truly a proud moment for us. The order shows Ethiopian Airlines' sustainable growth and preparation for further achievements. By growing our fleet size with ultra-modern airplanes such as the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, we are further maintaining operational excellence and passengers' comfort." Additional Widebody Aircraft To Support The Airlines' Continued Growth Credit: Ethiopian Airlines Ethiopian is consistently on the lookout for new and innovative ways to expand its current offering, and the decision to convert its current option for six firm 787-9 airplanes highlights the carrier's commitment to the American airplane manufacturer. The 787 already continues to serve as an integral aircraft in the airline's widebody operations, and its versatility allows the airline to consider new routes while also serving more passengers. The airline group is one of the fastest-growing airline brands on the planet and has consistently been the leading aviation group on the continent. ET already serves more than 145 destinations worldwide , and operates a fleet of 170 aircraft. This latest annoucement comes as a separate order that was previously announced in January this year, where the airline added nine additional 787-9 to the order book, with these airplanes being part of a two-part strategy for fleet modernization. Currently, the 787-9 is configured in a two-class layout, catering to a total of 315 passengers across business and economy classes. 30 traveleres enjoy the Cloud 9 Business class cabin, which includes fully lie-flat beds and adjustable headrests. While towards the rear of the aircraft, 285 passengers can be accommodated in the airline's economy class. Related The 787 Continues To Be The Most Popular Widebody Of All Time Credit: Shutterstock The 787 has maintained consistently high popularity by global airlines ever since its program was launched in 2004. Since then, airlines around the world have considered or purchased these to modernize their fleet, with the aircraft offering considerably better fuel efficiency of up to 25% when compared to older generation aircraft . The aircraft has a perfect sweet spot , when looking at long-haul routes, with the lighter widebody that is smaller than the traditional 777, positioning the plane to operate a range of routes that may not have been financially viable with a larger aircraft. For Boeing, the operational flexibility of this aircraft has been one of the biggest attractions for airlines, as it provides high scheduling versatility. Onboard, travelers can enjoy a superior cabin environment, with the aircraft's signature large windows with electric controls that can limit the amount of light coming through them, supporting an elevated onboard experience. Combined with higher humidity levels and ambient lighting, which can minimise the effects of jetlag. At Ethiopian Airlines, the 787 continues to appeal for the above reasons, and its ability to provide the carrier flexibility in more profitable, direct routes across Africa and the world to support its Vision 2035 growth strategy .