Gulf Air Orders 12 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, Secures Options for Six More

Boeing has announced the signing of an agreement with Gulf Air for the purchase of 12 B787 Dreamliners with options for six more.  The national flag carrier of Bahrain will grow their all-787 fleet to expand their international network.

Rendering of Air Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Over Bahrain - Courtesy Boeing

On Thursday (July 17, 2025), Boeing announced that Gulf Air, the national flag carrier of Bahrain, has signed an agreement for the purchase of 12 Boeing 787 Dreamliner jets, with options for six more.  Once finalized, this order will bring the carrier’s firm order book to 14 of the versatile widebody jets, which will facilitate the expansion of their international network.   Gulf Air currently operates 10 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, connecting over 50 destinations worldwide.  Starting with their first DC-3 in 1961, Gulf Air has taken delivery of 37 Boeing airplanes, including the 787 jets currently in their fleet.  Boeing and Gulf Air were joined by Bahrain’s Minister of Finance and National Economy Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to announce the agreement on Thursday.

In Thursday’s announcement, Gulf Air Group’s Chairman, Khalid Taqi, said,

“This agreement marks a transformative step in Gulf Air's strategic growth journey as we expand our global footprint and modernize our fleet with one of the industry’s most advanced and efficient aircraft.  The Boeing 787 Dreamliner has proven to be an exceptional aircraft for our long-haul operations, and this new order reflects our confidence in its performance, passenger appeal and contribution to our sustainability goals.  We are proud to deepen our partnership with Boeing and reaffirm our commitment to positioning Bahrain as a key global aviation hub.”

Also commenting on the order, Boeing Commercial Airplanes’ President and CEO, Stephanie Pope, said,

“We are excited to build on our more than 60-year partnership with Gulf Air as we deliver the market-leading 787 Dreamliner to help the airline serve more passengers and connect more destinations.  This investment in the 787 Dreamliner demonstrates Gulf Air’s commitment to new technology and sustainable development, reinforcing Bahrain's position in the aviation sector.”

Left to Right: Gulf Air Group's Chairman Khalid Taqi, Bahrain Minister of Finance and National Economy Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Boeing Commercial Airplanes' CEO Stephanie Pope - Photo Credit: Robert Hyatt

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner Family has transformed global air travel by opening over 425 new direct routes, and carrying more than 1.0 billion passengers worldwide since entering passenger revenue service in 2011.  As Gulf Air's flagship airplane, the 787 features the largest windows of any widebody jet, air that is less dry and pressurized at a lower cabin altitude for greater comfort, and technology that senses and counters turbulence for a smoother ride.

Boeing (NYSE: BA) is a leading supplier of commercial airplanes, defense, space and security systems, as well as global services.  The aerospace giant tops the list of the largest U.S. exporters, providing a significant positive impact to America’s annual GDP.  Boeing supports government and commercial customers in over 150 countries and employs more than 150,000 team members worldwide.  As Boeing continues to deliver for customers, they are committed to their legacy of aerospace leadership in technology and innovation and living the company’s core values of safety, quality, and integrity.

Source: Boeing/PRNewswire