Boeing advances production on next-generation freighter amid competition from Airbus

Compared to Boeing’s largest current freighter—the 747-8F—the new model offers lower operating costs due to greater fuel efficiency. While it cannot match the payload or unique nose door loading capability of its predecessor (which allows carriage of larger items), it targets operators prioritizing cost savings on long-haul routes.

So far, seven airlines have placed orders totaling 59 units for the Boeing 777-8F. Qatar Airways leads with an order for 34 aircraft; Cargolux follows with ten; Korean Air has eight; Lufthansa seven; China Airlines four; All Nippon Airways two; and Silk Way West Airlines two.

Boeing projects a continued rise in demand for widebody freighters as global air cargo needs grow—driven by e-commerce and industries like pharmaceuticals—predicting a fleet increase by nearly two-thirds by 2040.

The main competitor to Boeing’s new freighter will be Airbus’s A350F. This rival aircraft features lighter construction using more composite materials than previous generations and promises higher fuel efficiency along with reduced emissions thanks to its Rolls-Royce Trent WXB-97 engines. Both models are scheduled to enter service in 2027. Airbus has secured orders from carriers including Singapore Airlines and Etihad Airways Cargo.

Currently about nine out of every ten tons moved by air globally travel aboard Boeing aircraft—a dominance that both manufacturers are vying over as they introduce these next-generation freighters.

The wider Boeing 777X family—which includes both passenger (the -8 and -9 variants) and freight (-8F) models—has faced delays due primarily to technical issues involving engine development and structural testing as well as increased regulatory scrutiny following previous safety concerns at Boeing. The entry into service date for passenger versions is now targeted for 2026 after multiple postponements.

Lufthansa will be first to operate the passenger version when deliveries begin in 2026. Emirates holds by far the largest order: a total of 205 planes split between both variants. Other major customers include Qatar Airways (110), Korean Air (40), Cathay Pacific (35), Singapore Airlines (31), Etihad Airways (25), British Airways (24), Lufthansa itself (20), All Nippon Airways (18), and China Airlines (14).

With both cargo-focused airlines embracing new technology for operational gains—and competition intensifying between manufacturers—the introduction of these advanced freighters is set to reshape international aviation markets over coming years.