H125 Aircraft Orders Signal Continued Industry Resurgence

‍DALLAS — 2025 is on track to be a promising year for aircraft manufacturers and airlines alike. As global aviation continues its robust recovery, airlines are going all-in on new jets. 

From established players like Qatar Airways and Malaysia Airlines to fast-moving low-cost carriers like VietJet and AirAsia, everyone’s betting big on what’s coming next in aviation. And the aircraft manufacturers? Well, they're more than happy to oblige.

To our surprise, this year’s Paris Air Show was a goldmine of announcements, cementing its status as one of the industry's favorite deal-making playgrounds. Airbus, Boeing, Embraer, and ATR all walked away with order books that resembled wishlists from some very determined airline CEOs. These orders aren’t just about numbers; they’re about airlines rewriting their futures.

Here’s our take on the top commercial aircraft orders of H1 2025, based on volume, value, and the sheer audacity of ambition.

1. Qatar Airways' Historic Boeing Order: 160 Firm + 50 Options

• Airline: Qatar Airways (QR)
• Aircraft: 130 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 30 Boeing 777-9 (firm), with options for 50 more widebodies
• Value: Estimated USD 96 billion at list prices (including options and engines)

• Details: Announced in May 2025, Qatar Airways signed its biggest-ever wide-body aircraft order with Boeing: 160 firm aircraft and 50 optional jets. Alongside this, the airline also finalized the largest-ever GE Aerospace wide-body engine deal, covering more than 400 GE9X and GEnx engines to power the new fleet. Deliveries are expected to run through the 2030s.
• Strategic Impact: This deal gives QR a significant boost in the long-term game, helping them stay ahead in major global markets. It also aligns perfectly with their plan to maintain one of the youngest and most efficient wide-body fleets in operation today. For Boeing, it’s a big win too, showing they’re still a strong favorite among Gulf carriers after a year full of tough competition.

2. VietJet’s Massive Airbus Commitment: 100 A321neo + 50 Options + 20 A330-900

• Airline: VietJet Air (VJ)
• Aircraft: 100 Airbus A321neo + 50 options, plus 20 Airbus A330-900neo
• Value: The narrow-body deal alone is estimated at ~US$9.4 billion, in addition to several billion more for the widebody jets (the previous deal of 20 A330-900neos was valued at US$7.4 billion).

• Details: At the 2025 Paris Air Show, VietJet went all-in with Airbus. The carrier signed firm orders for 100 A321neo jets with rights for 50 more and also expanded its wide-body fleet by ordering 20 A330-900neo aircraft. This brings the total number of Airbus A330-900 ordered to 40, following the previous order of 20.
• Strategic Impact: The new narrow-body jets will enable VietJet to grow rapidly across Asia, offering more direct routes between cities in Southeast Asia, India, and the Middle East. The A330neos will give them the strength to fly much longer routes, such as to Europe, Australia, and North Asia, while still keeping costs low and offering a good passenger experience.

3. IAG's 53-Aircraft Mixed Long-Haul Order (Airbus + Boeing)

• Airline: International Airlines Group (IAG)
• Aircraft: 21 Airbus A350-900 & A330-900; 32 Boeing 787-10
• Value: Estimated US$17 billion
• Details: IAG ordered wide-body aircraft from both Airbus and Boeing to update the long-haul fleets of British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus. Signed in May, the deal demonstrates IAG’s strong focus on long-distance routes, particularly with increased demand across the Atlantic.
• Strategic Impact: Demonstrates a renewed transatlantic ambition while diversifying across both major OEMs.

4. Riyadh Air Places First Airbus Widebody Order: 25 A350‑1000 Firm + 25 Options

• Airline: Riyadh Air (RX)
• Aircraft: 25 Airbus A350-1000 (firm) + 25 options
• Value: Estimated US$9.2 billion (firm order at list prices)

• Details: Announced at the 2025 Paris Air Show, this is Riyadh Air’s first major wide-body deal with Airbus. The A350‑1000s will help power its plans for premium long-haul flights by the middle of the decade. Also, have a read on what the CEO of Riyadh Air had to say about the fleet plans for 2025: Interview with Riyadh Air’s CEO
• Strategic Impact: The order provides Riyadh Air a strong, wide-body backbone for its global network ambitions and shows its intent to compete head-on with major Gulf carriers. The choice of the A350‑1000 reflects a focus on fuel efficiency, cabin comfort, and long-range capability.

5. SAS Orders 55 Embraer E195-E2 Jets

• Airline: Scandinavian Airlines (SK)
• Aircraft: 45 firm orders + 10 options for Embraer E195-E2
• Value: Approx. US$4 billion
• Details: SAS is turning to Embraer for regional fleet renewal as it phases out older Boeing 737NGs and Airbus A319s. The first deliveries are scheduled to begin in early 2026.
• Strategic Impact: Boosts SAS' regional reach across Nordic and Northern Europe, enabling greater frequency on thinner routes.

6. LOT Polish Airlines Buys 40 Airbus A220

• Airline: LOT Polish Airlines (LO)
• Aircraft: 20 Airbus A220-100 and 20 Airbus A220-300
• Value: Approx. $3.2 billion

• Details: LOT finalized this deal during the 2025 Paris Air Show. The A220 fleet will replace Embraer E-Jets, introducing more fuel-efficient operations across Europe.
• Strategic Impact: LOT gets newer, quieter, and more efficient jets that are perfect for short flights and less busy routes across Europe.

7. AirAsia X Orders 50 Airbus A321XLR + 20 Options

• Airline: AirAsia X (D7)
• Aircraft: 50 Airbus A321XLR + 20 options
• Value: Approx. US$12.25 billion
• Details: This long-range narrow-body order allows AirAsia X to explore longer secondary routes to the Middle East, China, and North Asia from its Southeast Asian hubs.
• Strategic Impact: This gives AirAsia X more flexibility to fly direct on routes that don’t have enough demand for wide-body aircraft but still require long-range capabilities to make them viable.

8. Malaysia Airlines Orders 20 Airbus A330neo

• Airline: Malaysia Airlines (MH)
• Aircraft: 20 Airbus A330-900
• Value: Approx. US$6 billion

• Details: This long-awaited fleet renewal order comes as MH retires its aging A330-200/300 fleet. Deliveries will start from 2026 onwards.
• Strategic Impact: Reinforces its long-haul capability, especially to Australia, Northeast Asia, and London.

9. Flyadeal Orders 10 Airbus A330-900neo

• Airline: Flyadeal (F3)
• Aircraft: 10 A330-900
• Value: ~US$1.2 billion
• Details: A bold move for a low-cost airline, Flyadeal’s wide-body order marks its entrance into long-haul services.
• Strategic Impact: Signals Saudi Arabia's aviation ambitions under Vision 2030 and adds competition to regional carriers.

10. AviLease Places First Direct Boeing 737 MAX Order (20 Firm + 10 Options)

• Lessor: AviLease (Saudi Arabia)
• Aircraft: 20 Boeing 737‑8 MAX firm + 10 options
• Value: Around US$2.1 billion at list prices
• Details: In May 2025, AviLease made its first-ever direct purchase from Boeing. The deal includes 20 Boeing 737‑8 MAX jets with an option for 10 more, which will be delivered through 2032
• Strategic Impact: This OEM-level purchase positions AviLease as a serious player in the global leasing market and strengthens Saudi Arabia’s aviation supply chain ambitions under Vision 2030. The new 737s will give AviLease a modern, fuel-efficient single-aisle fleet to lease to airlines worldwide.

Bonus: UNI Air Orders 19 ATR 72‑600: ATR’s Biggest Deal Since 2017

• Airline: UNI Air (B7), a part of the EVA Air group (BR)
• Aircraft: 19 ATR 72‑600 firm + 3 options
• Value: Not disclosed (largest ATR commercial order since 2017)

• Details: In June 2025, UNI Air signed a deal for 19 ATR 72‑600 turboprops to renew and grow its fleet of domestic regional aircraft. Equipped with new-generation PW127XT engines, updated cabins, and improved air management systems, deliveries are slated between 2027 and 2032.
• Strategic Impact: This deal strengthens ATR’s position as a top choice for regional aircraft and demonstrates UNI Air’s plan to upgrade and expand its local network while maintaining low costs and enhancing the passenger experience.

Key Trends & Industry Insights

1. Narrow-body Dominance: Airlines just can’t get enough of the A321neo, A220, and 737 MAX. With better range and lower fuel burn, these jets are perfect for today’s fast-paced, high-frequency routes. Everyone is leaning into point-to-point flying instead of relying on traditional hub networks.
2. Long-Haul Narrow-body Emergence: AirAsia X, IAG, and others are banking on the A321XLR and 787-10 to serve long, thin routes previously uneconomical for larger widebodies.
3. Regional Jets Rise Again: Embraer’s E2 series and Airbus A220 are finding new homes with airlines like Scandinavian and LOT, replacing older regional fleets.
4. Gulf States Flex Their Muscle: Saudi Arabia’s aviation ecosystem, led by Riyadh Air, Flyadeal, and AviLease, is taking shape fast with aggressive widebody and narrow-body deals.
5. Sustainability at the Core: Whether it’s the A330neo or the ATR 72-600, airlines are clearly chasing better fuel efficiency. With climate goals and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) rules becoming more serious, every new order is as much about cutting emissions as it is about saving money.

Looking Ahead

2025 has been a wild ride for aircraft orders so far, and it’s not slowing down just yet. There’s a good chance Boeing’s long-awaited 777X finally sees some real action as airlines start thinking about replacing their older wide-bodies. On the other side, Airbus might keep the pressure on in the cargo world, with more airlines eyeing the A350 freighter.

We’re also keeping an eye on some of the new entrants to the market. Start-up airlines in places like Africa and the Middle East are getting serious, and with deep pockets behind them, don’t be surprised if we see a few more bold fleet announcements before the year’s out. The skies are buzzing, and we’re only halfway through.

Bottom Line: A Year of Momentum

The momentum in 2025 is real and global. These top 10 aircraft orders show a healthy, rebounding aviation industry that’s betting on growth, efficiency, and network flexibility. Whether in regional turboprops or ultra-long-haul twin jets, the skies are buzzing with optimism again.

Stay tuned! There’s much more flying into the order books this year.

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