People familiar with the discussions said Malaysia Aviation Group is likely to select Boeing for the aircraft order, although the talks remain confidential and the final agreement has yet to be announced.
The proposed purchase would mark an important shift for Malaysia Airlines, which has relied heavily on Airbus for its widebody fleet since retiring its Boeing 777 aircraft. The airline currently operates Airbus A330 and A350 aircraft on its long-haul network.
According to the people familiar with the matter, Boeing secured an advantage over European rival Airbus by offering earlier delivery positions for the aircraft, with deliveries expected to begin in 2031.
Engine economics also played a role in the discussions. GE Aviation was said to have offered more favourable terms than Rolls-Royce, which supplies engines for competing Airbus aircraft, according to some of the people familiar with the negotiations.
The planned 787-10s are expected to replace Malaysia Airlines’ seven leased Airbus A350 aircraft. The airline has been seeking alternatives to the A350s in part because of what people familiar with the matter described as high lease rental costs.
Beyond replacing existing aircraft, the Boeing order would also give Malaysia Airlines additional capacity as it looks to expand its long-haul operations, the people said.
The potential agreement also carries significance beyond the airline’s fleet strategy. The purchase comes against the backdrop of wider trade discussions between Malaysia and the United States, after US President Donald Trump linked Boeing aircraft purchases to trade agreements involving various countries.
Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced last year that Malaysia would purchase 30 Boeing aircraft, with options for a further 30 planes.
The reported 787 order would therefore be closely watched as part of Malaysia’s broader aviation and trade relationship with the United States. However, the precise aircraft included in the previously announced commitment and the extent to which the proposed 787 purchase forms part of that arrangement have not been publicly detailed.
Malaysia Aviation Group did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Boeing and Airbus also declined to comment.
For Malaysia Airlines, the prospective Boeing order would represent a notable change after years of increasing dependence on Airbus widebody aircraft.
The carrier has operated Airbus A330s alongside newer A350s since phasing out its Boeing 777s. Its fleet strategy has also included a significant investment in the Airbus A330neo, with the airline ordering 40 of the aircraft in recent years to replace some of its oldest widebody jets.
Ten of those A330neos have already been delivered, according to the information provided.
Malaysia Airlines operates a fleet of roughly 90 aircraft, including 57 Boeing 737 single-aisle aircraft. The potential addition of the 787-10 would give the airline a second Boeing widebody type and could provide greater flexibility as it develops its long-haul network.
The decision is expected to be closely watched by both Boeing and Airbus, particularly as airlines across Asia continue to balance fleet renewal, aircraft availability, financing costs and expected passenger demand.
For Malaysia Airlines, the choice also reflects the competing priorities behind any major aircraft purchase: securing delivery slots, managing leasing and operating costs, selecting an engine supplier and ensuring that new aircraft provide enough capacity for future growth.
While no final order has been publicly confirmed, the reported move toward the 787-10 would put Boeing in line to regain a foothold in Malaysia Airlines’ long-haul fleet after several years in which Airbus aircraft have dominated that segment.