Malaysia Airlines Nears 787-10 Order To Replace Leased A350s
Malaysia Airlines is reportedly close to ordering ten Boeing 787-10 jets to replace its seven leased Airbus A350-900s, with deliveries potentially starting
Malaysia Airlines is nearing an order for around ten Boeing 787-10 jets. The deal would replace the airline's fleet of seven leased Airbus A350-900s and mark Boeing's return to the carrier's widebody operations for the first time since 2016.
Sources familiar with the matter told Bloomberg that Boeing moved ahead of Airbus by offering earlier delivery slots beginning in 2031. Engine manufacturer GE Aerospace also reportedly offered better terms compared to Rolls-Royce, which exclusively powers the A350 family.
Fleet Replacement Strategy
The airline has operated the leased A350-900s for nearly nine years, with each configured for 286 passengers. Malaysia Airlines has previously stated its intention to replace these widebodies due to high leasing costs. It evaluated several replacements, including the Airbus A350-1000, Boeing 787-9, 787-10, and the delayed 777X.
The potential order for ten 787-10s would not only replace the seven A350s but also provide additional long-haul capacity. This could enable new routes or higher frequencies on existing services.
Aircraft Capabilities Compared
While both aircraft have similar passenger capacity, the 787-10 typically offers slightly more seats in a three-class configuration. The key difference lies in range. The A350-900 can fly significantly farther, which would give Malaysia Airlines more flexibility for potential ultra-long-haul routes.
| Model | Typical Range (Nautical Miles) | Engine Supplier |
|---|---|---|
| Boeing 787-10 | ~6,330 | GE Aerospace / Rolls-Royce |
| Airbus A350-900 | ~8,600 | Rolls-Royce |
Both models are capable of covering the airline's key long-haul routes to Europe and Australia. The 787-10's range, however, leaves less margin for any longer routes the carrier might wish to add in the future.
Broader Fleet Context
Malaysia Airlines' current widebody fleet consists of nearly 30 Airbus A330s and the seven leased A350s. The carrier also has a firm order for 40 Airbus A330-900neo aircraft, with ten delivered as of November 2024.
Boeing already forms a major part of the airline's narrowbody operations. The fleet includes 37 Boeing 737-800s and 19 737 MAX 8s. In early 2025, the airline lodged an order for 18 more 737-8s and 12 737-10s, with options for a further 30. An additional 30 Boeing aircraft were agreed upon in August 2025 as part of a US trade deal.
Malaysia Airlines Group CEO Captain Nasaruddin Bakar has stated the airline is targeting a formal widebody order in the fourth quarter of this year. Boeing's history with the carrier dates to 1969, when the first 737 entered service. The planemaker also previously supplied its 747 and 777 widebodies, with the last 777-200ER leaving the fleet in 2016.
