Qatar Airways Still Open to Airbus Widebody Deal

Qatar Airways might not be done shopping for new aircraft just yet. After placing a massive order with Boeing, the airline is keeping the door open for a potential Airbus widebody deal, according to CEO Badr Al-Meer in a recent interview with Bloomberg.

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While the airline recently committed to 130 Boeing 777Xs and 30 Boeing 787s, with options for 50 more, Airbus isn’t out of the picture. Al-Meer said Qatar Airways is still considering adding widebody jets from Airbus, but any final decision will depend on how the market evolves.

Boeing Order Doesn’t Rule Out Airbus

Qatar Airways had already shown interest in Airbus widebodies before sealing the deal with Boeing. The final call in favor of Boeing came during former U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to Qatar, signaling a strong political and business tie-up.

Still, with a mixed fleet that already includes several Airbus long-haul models, including 34 A350-900s, 24 A350-1000s, ten A380s, and a handful of A330s and A300s, Airbus remains a key partner for Qatar Airways.

Qatar Airways Eyes a More Efficient Fleet

The Doha-based carrier is actively modernizing its fleet. The A330s and A380s, which are aging and less fuel-efficient, are likely to be phased out in the coming years. Their replacement? Partly the Airbus A321 Neo.

Qatar Airways has already ordered 50 A321 Neos, ten of which are the long-range (LR) version. These aircraft will be used to serve longer routes more efficiently, including some new destinations in Germany.

What’s Next for Qatar Airways?

While the airline’s massive Boeing order grabbed headlines, its ongoing relationship with Airbus is far from over. Whether or not another widebody deal with Airbus materializes depends on market conditions, but it’s clear Qatar Airways wants flexibility in its fleet strategy.

For now, all eyes are on how demand shapes up and whether the airline will move ahead with a fresh round of Airbus orders.