Qatar Airways will retire all Boeing 777-200LR and -300ER aircraft by 2024, replacing the type with B777X airframes instead.
Speaking to Executive Traveller, the airline’s CEO said the retirement will be part of a push to attain “carbon-neutral growth over a period of time”. Qatar will consequently delay any aircraft deliveries until 2022, as COVID-19 continues to cause uncertainty over the airline’s operations.
Summary of Retirements
| Aircraft | Number in Fleet | Retirement By |
| Boeing 777-200LR | 9 | 2024 |
| Boeing 777-300ER | 48 | 2024 |
| Airbus A380-800 | 10 | 2028 |
| Airbus A330-200 | 6 | 2022 |
| Airbus A330-300 | 13 | 2022 |
| Airbus A320-200 | 31 | 2024 |
Summary of Airframe Replacements
| Aircraft | Replacing | Number Ordered | Delivery Date |
| Boeing 777-8 (X) | 777-200LR | 10 | 2022-2025 |
| Boeing 777-9 (X) | 777-300ER | 50 | 2028-TBA |
| Airbus A350-1000* | A330-200/300 | 29 | 2022-TBA |
| Boeing 787-9^ | A330-200/300 | 23 +7 (in storage) | 2022-TBA |
| Airbus A321neo | A320-200 | 40 | 2022-2024 |
^Note: 30 B787-8 aircraft are in service, however these will be swapped for newer -9 models
“We are retiring the entire (Airbus) A330 fleet now, we are retiring all the 777s over the next three to four years, we are retiring the A320 aeroplanes.”
His Excellency Akbar Al Baker, CEO, Qatar Airways Group (via Executive Traveller)
Qatar Airways is planning to operate only Boeing 777-8/9 (X) aircraft by 2025; meaning all current B777 aircraft will have to retire by 2024, according to Executive Traveller.
Keeping with a green-push, Qatar’s B777X aircraft will be fitted with General Electric GE9X engines; these engines are capable of burning 10% less fuel than existing B777 GEnx engines.
Akbar Al Baker also confirmed that all B777X aircraft will feature an improved Qsuite business class product, likely boasting higher comfort and improved privacy.
Once the initial B777-8 aircraft are delivered, Qatar is considering implementing exclusive First Class seats for a niche market; these will likely be fitted exclusively on routes from Doha to Europe. Currently Qatar only has First Class on their A380’s, although Al Baker told Executive Traveller that the new First Class will be “very unique, so we need time to develop it”.
A380’s Headed for the Desert
Qatar’s CEO also advised that all Airbus A380-800 aircraft will be put in retirement by 2028; corresponding with the last B777-9 deliveries.
“I’m going to retire my A380s on their 10th anniversary…starting from the next four years our first A380s will start going to the desert, because there is no point keeping these expensive gas guzzlers with very little return on our investment.”
His Excellency Akbar Al Baker, CEO, Qatar Airways Group (via Executive Traveller)
Article Sources: Executive Traveller and ch-aviation.