Boeing has announced significant new orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle jets from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. The company revealed these orders on Monday, highlighting commitments for up to 80 aircraft. This move follows a period where French competitor Airbus made headway with these carriers amid the fallout from issues related to Boeing’s 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s sales operations head, expressed pride in the enduring partnership with Japan Airlines, noting their choice to continue modernizing their fleet with the 787 Dreamliner. This announcement coincides with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, an important event in the aviation industry calendar.
Japan Airlines has committed to acquiring 10 Dreamliners, with an option for an additional 10. Meanwhile, Korean Air has ordered twenty 777-9 jets and twenty 787-10s, with a choice for 10 more 787-10s.
This development comes in light of previous reports that indicated Airbus had sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking the airline’s first purchase of a single-aisle plane from a manufacturer outside Boeing. Additionally, Bloomberg highlighted that Airbus secured orders for wide-body jets from Korean Air, a significant decision since the majority of its fleet is comprised of Boeing aircraft.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, emphasized the importance of the new orders for Korean Air, underscoring Boeing’s long-term partnership with the airline. She stated that Boeing aircraft are crucial to Korean Air’s capacity expansion and its sustainability efforts moving forward.