Boeing Reveals the Customer
MSC Air Cargo has ordered five Boeing 777-8 Freighters. The agreement was announced on July 21, 2026, at the Farnborough International Airshow, according to an official Boeing statement.
The aircraft had already been included in Boeing’s order backlog, but the customer had not previously been identified. This is MSC Air Cargo’s first order for the freighter version of the 777X family. Neither the contract value nor the delivery schedule was disclosed.
MSC Air Cargo CEO Jannie Davel described the purchase as an investment in the company’s long-term development. He said the aircraft’s efficiency, range and capacity would support the next phase of the carrier’s growth.
Payload Reaches 118 Tonnes
According to Boeing’s technical specifications, the 777-8F has a maximum structural payload of 118 tonnes. It will be able to fly up to 9,260 kilometres with a 110-tonne payload and accommodate 31 pallets on its main deck.
The aircraft will provide 17% more cargo volume than the current 777F. Boeing also expects it to reduce fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions by 30% compared with the aircraft it is designed to replace.
These capabilities are intended for long-haul transportation of high-value, time-sensitive and specialised cargo between major international logistics hubs.
MSC Air Cargo Operates Seven Freighters
The initial information referred to three Boeing 777 freighters, but MSC Air Cargo’s official fleet information shows a broader structure. Atlas Air operates four Boeing 777-200 Freighters on MSC’s behalf, while another three aircraft are operated by the wholly owned MSC Air subsidiary. The combined MSC Air Cargo fleet therefore comprises seven widebody freighters.
The new 777-8Fs will increase the operator’s long-haul capacity and strengthen MSC’s ability to combine ocean and air freight services. At the time of the announcement, Boeing had received more than 80 orders for the model, while MSC Air Cargo became the third Europe-based cargo operator to select it.
