Day 3 of the Dubai Airshow took us inside the Embraer KC-390, the Boeing + Alaska Airlines ecoDemonstrator and up close with the 777X’s giant folding wingtip. Boeing and Airbus also collected a few key orders, including a big MAX order from Akasa Airlines and an A220 order from Nigeria’s Ibom Air.

Dubai Airshow Day 3

Day 3 of the show was the most relaxed so far, but no less busy than the first two. We did have time to stop a moment and enjoy the 777X’s flying display—more on that on our YouTube channel later this week as part of our whole show wrap-up.

Inside the ecoDemonstrator

Boeing brought its ecoDemonstrator aircraft, a 737-9 that will eventually fly for Alaska Airlines, to this year’s show. The program tests specific efficiency improvements and on this particular aircraft that includes drag reduction elements on the outside and side wall paneling created with recycled composites on the inside.

Embraer’s KC-390

We made it inside Embraer’s KC-390 multi-role aircraft and they were keen to show off just how multi-role it can be. The floor panels can be swapped quickly to modify the aircraft for troops, paratroopers, medevac, cargo, and more. The KC-390 can also be converted for use as a Search and Rescue aircraft or it can be turned into a water bomber to fight wildfires. The flight deck is also quite nice.

Orders and interiors

Air Tanzania topped up its fleet with orders for one 787-8, a 767-300 freighter and two 737 MAX. Akasa Airlines, an Indian startup, order 72 737 MAX, divided between 737-8s and 737-8-200, the high capacity variant originally designed at the behest of Ryanair. Airbus drew orders from Jazeera Airways for 28 A320neo family aircraft (20 A320neo, 8 A321neo), and Ibom Air for 10 A220s, which will grow the Nigerian carrier’s A220 fleet to 12.

Inside the cabin, Emirates announced that it will greatly increase the number of aircraft with Premium Economy cabins, including 52 A380s and 53 777s. It will also introduce a new 1-2-1 business class layout on some of its 777s.

Singapore Airlines unveiled its new cabin on the 737-8 MAX, which will be coming to the fleet “in the coming weeks”.

Dubai Airshow Day 3 photos

See all our photos from Day 3 and look for our full show wrap-up on YouTube later this week.

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Looking forward from the rear left door of the ecoDemonstrator 737-9