Major Aircraft Orders Expected Ahead of Farnborough 2026
With one week remaining before the Farnborough International Airshow opens in the UK, several major aircraft orders are beginning to take shape. Industry attention is focused on the event, where Reuters reports that at least two significant announcements could be made during the 20-24 July exhibition.
One of the expected deals involves Philippine Airlines, which is preparing to order 15 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners and nine Airbus A350-1000s as it celebrates its 85th anniversary. If confirmed, the agreement would mark the airline’s first direct Boeing order in nearly two decades, with its last purchase dating back to 2007 when it ordered the Boeing 777-300ER.
The selection of the Boeing 787-10 is also expected to trigger a separate engine competition between Rolls-Royce and GE Aerospace. Philippine Airlines already operates the Airbus A350-1000 and is still awaiting delivery of seven additional aircraft of the same type.
Another potential announcement is expected from Etihad Airways. The Abu Dhabi-based carrier is reportedly in discussions to acquire 10 additional Boeing 787 Dreamliners in a deal estimated to be worth around $2 billion. The specific Dreamliner variant has not yet been disclosed.
The order would support Etihad’s Journey 2030 strategy, which aims to expand the airline’s fleet to more than 160 aircraft while increasing annual passenger traffic to 38 million. Earlier, CEO Antonoaldo Neves told Reuters that the airline was evaluating a double-digit widebody aircraft order without naming the manufacturer. In May 2025, Etihad also signed a $14.5 billion agreement with Boeing covering 28 Boeing 787 and 777X aircraft.
Official announcements are expected during the Farnborough International Airshow, which has historically served as the venue for some of the aviation industry’s largest commercial aircraft orders.
