Trump Announces Record $96bn Boeing-Qatar Airways Deal Amid Boeing Rebound Efforts.
US President Donald Trump has unveiled a massive $96 billion deal between Qatar Airways and American aerospace giant Boeing, hailing it as the "largest order of jets in the history of Boeing." The agreement, confirmed by both companies, includes the purchase of up to 210 aircraft—130 Dreamliners, 30 777-9s, and options for 50 additional jets.
"This is the largest-ever order of 787 Dreamliners," the White House said, noting the deal would support an estimated 154,000 jobs annually throughout the production timeline. The announcement was part of Trump’s Middle East tour and falls under a wider $240 billion package of economic agreements between the US and Qatar.
The move marks a significant moment for Boeing as it tries to regain its footing after a turbulent period marked by safety failures, operational halts, and financial losses. A major setback earlier this year—the mid-air panel blowout of a Boeing aircraft in January 2024—forced the company to scale back production dramatically. That incident, combined with a costly seven-week workers’ strike, led to a loss exceeding $10 billion in 2024.
Despite these headwinds, Boeing’s shares have rebounded, climbing roughly 20% since the start of the year. Optimism about the company’s trajectory is rising, particularly after it delivered 130 aircraft in Q1—exceeding expectations.
“Our recovery plan is in full swing,” Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg told investors in April.
The firm still faces pressure to execute, with a backlog of over 5,600 planes—more than seven years of production at current rates.
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The Qatar Airways deal reinforces a long-standing partnership between the airline and Boeing. The Qatari carrier already operates 150 Boeing aircraft and had more than 130 on order before this announcement.
"It's the largest order of jets in the history of Boeing, that's good," Trump said at the signing ceremony. "So that's a record, Kelly, and congratulations to Boeing. Get those planes out there, get them out there."
The agreement follows other recent Boeing wins tied to Trump’s international visits. Earlier in the trip, Boeing revealed a separate commitment from Saudi Arabia's leasing company Avilease for 20 737 MAX jets, with options for 10 more. British Airways owner IAG also finalized an order for 32 787-10 aircraft worth $13 billion, deliveries for which begin in 2028.
Recent easing of trade tensions with China has also been beneficial for Boeing, which faced stalled deliveries due to escalating tariffs.
Aviation experts welcomed the deal, albeit with caution. Richard Aboulafia of Aerodynamic Advisory called the timing “politically savvy” and a “nice win” for Boeing. However, he warned that it should not be interpreted as a surge in demand.
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“You can add more jets to the backlog—thank you Qatar Airways—but the problem for some time now, and it will continue to be a problem, is on the production side,” Aboulafia said. “They need to build more planes.”
John Grant of analytics firm OAG said the order was a “statement” of Boeing’s market re-entry, though unsurprising given the history between the two firms.
Despite the timing raising some eyebrows in light of past controversies, this landmark deal between Boeing and Qatar Airways is a clear sign of renewed confidence in American aerospace manufacturing. It provides a vital boost to Boeing’s recovery efforts, supports tens of thousands of US jobs, and strengthens long-standing commercial ties between the US and Qatar.
Coming after a challenging period for Boeing, the agreement signals that global airlines still see strong long-term value in its aircraft. While political optics may persist, the deal itself is a meaningful step forward for the company—and a win for American industry and diplomacy alike.
