FlyDubai orders 150 Airbus A321 aircraft while Etihad orders 16 Airbus aircraft at Dubai Air Show

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — FlyDubai, the lower-cost sister airline to long-haul carrier Emirates, announced an order Tuesday for 150 Airbus A321 aircraft at the Dubai Air Show — a major purchase that will see the carrier for the first time expand its fleet beyond Boeing.

Airbus and FlyDubai offered no value for the deal, but it will be well into the billions of dollars. It also represents a major purchase for the airline as Dubai prepares across both carriers to expand as it builds a new five-runway airport in this desert sheikhdom in the United Arab Emirates.

The A321 is a mid-range, two-engine, single-aisle aircraft, matching the style of the Boeing 737s that FlyDubai has relied on since launching flights back in 2009. The airline currently has a fleet of 95 aircraft.

Airbus and FlyDubai declined to take questions from journalists at the announcement.

“We’re very impressed with FlyDubai as an efficiency minded carrier that’s also offering a premium product,” said Christian Scherer, Airbus' CEO of commercial aircraft.

Earlier Tuesday, Etihad put in an order for 16 Airbus aircraft, part of its efforts to expand as its economic fortunes improve.

Etihad's order includes six A330-900s, seven A350-1000s and three A350F freighters, the two firms said at a news conference. They did not offer a cost for the deal. Airlines often negotiate lower prices in major orders.

Etihad made a record $476 million profit in 2024, part of a financial rebound for the Abu Dhabi-based airline. While still a slender profit compared to rival Emirates’ record profits of $5.2 billion in the last fiscal year, it continues a major turnaround for Etihad.

Abu Dhabi’s rulers launched Etihad in 2003, rivaling the established Dubai government-owned carrier Emirates, which boasts a larger fleet and a far-flung network.

Etihad struggled with its business plan and underwent cost-cutting measures even before the coronavirus pandemic. Since 2016, Etihad has lost some $6 billion as it has aggressively bought up stakes in airlines from Europe to Asia to compete against Emirates and Qatar Airways.

On Monday, Emirates ordered 65 of Boeing’s upcoming 777-9 aircraft worth at $38 billion at list prices.

Tim Clark, the president of Emirates, again acknowledged to journalists on Tuesday the delays that have plagued Boeing in getting the 777-9 to customers. However, he said he believed Emirates’ large purchase could see even President Donald Trump’s White House take note and push the manufacturer to finish the plane.

“I’m sure the White House will be leaning on Boeing to make sure it all works and they can get the things out of the doors quickly as they can, because it does mean jobs for everyone,” Clark said. “Particularly the 9X is going to be Seattle constructed, so all that sort of workforce in the northwest is almost secured now for decades.”

Clark also acknowledged Emirates and FlyDubai would be able to rapidly expand its routes with new aircraft once the sheikhdom drastically expands Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central, where the air show takes place.

Dubai plans a $35 billion project to expand to five parallel runways and 400 aircraft gates, to be completed within the next decade.

“We’ll be able to reach any point on the planet,” Clark said.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the chairman and chief executive of Emirates and chairman of FlyDubai speaks as Airbus' CEO of commercial aircraft Christian Scherer, right, looks on at a press conference to announce an order for 150 Airbus A321neo aircraft at the Dubai Air Show, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Airbus' CEO of commercial aircraft Christian Scherer presents a model of Airbus A321neo aircraft to Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the chairman and chief executive of Emirates and chairman of FlyDubai at a press conference to announce an order for 150 Airbus A321neo aircraft at the Dubai Air Show, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Airbus' CEO of commercial aircraft Christian Scherer, left and Etihad Airways CEO Antonoaldo Neves shake hands at a press conference to announce deal to purchase 16 Airbus planes at the Dubai Air Show, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

A model of Airbus A350 sits on the table as Etihad Airways CEO Antonoaldo Neves speaks while Airbus' CEO of commercial aircraft Christian Scherer, left, looks on during a press conference to announce deal to purchase 16 Airbus planes at the Dubai Air Show, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Airbus' CEO of commercial aircraft Christian Scherer, left and Etihad Airways CEO Antonoaldo Neves show purchase agreement at a press conference after announcing a deal to purchase 16 Airbus planes at the Dubai Air Show, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Tim Clark, the president of Emirates Airlines, speaks to journalists at the Dubai Air Show, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Tim Clark, the president of Emirates Airlines, speaks to journalists at the Dubai Air Show, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Emirati men watch an Airbus A350 at the Dubai Air Show in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — The final score of the Florida game Saturday: Panthers 7, Columbus Blue Jackets 6.

And on the scoreboard, it read “6 7.”

Panthers, meet a phenomenon.

The viral term “6-7” was the talk of the Panthers' locker room after their overtime win, even though the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions — like pretty much everybody else on the planet — have no idea what it means.

“I don't know what is going on with this 6-7 thing,” said Panthers forward Sam Bennett, who scored the winning goal in overtime. “But it's funny that's how it ended tonight.”

It seems possible that Bennett knows more about the craze than he's letting on. In the on-ice postgame interview with Panthers sideline reporter Katie Engleson of Scripps Sports, Bennett made the juggling hands gesture that has become synonymous with whatever 6-7 is.

The 6-7 craze is so popular that Dictionary.com announced the phrase as its word of the year, even though it's not actually a word.

“Don’t worry, because we’re all still trying to figure out exactly what it means,” the site said in October when it made the decision.

The popular theory is that 6-7 gained popularity from rapper Skrilla’s song from 2024 called “Doot Doot (6-7)" that made it into TikTok videos and other social media mentions. NFL players have used it in touchdown celebrations as well.

And it's like the Panthers knew a game like this was coming. They played Saturday and play again at home Sunday, which means they're playing on Dec. 6 and Dec. 7 — so, yes, they're calling this “6-7 weekend.”

“Yeah, 6-7 night, 6-7 score, I'm sure the kids will have a lot of fun with that,” Panthers forward Brad Marchand said. “I know my kids were up there doing the ol' 6-7 dance. It's fun when those things happen.”

Panthers coach Paul Maurice made clear that he has “no idea” what any of it means.

“I will reiterate there’s a whole bunch of things I don’t need to know or investigate, research, or understand better than I do now,” Maurice said. “So, let’s all just leave it right there.”

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Florida Panthers celebrate the team's second goal, scored by center Sam Bennett, center, during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) reacts after scoring a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)