Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. The company revealed on Monday that it secured orders for up to 80 planes, indicating its resolve to regain market share after French competitor Airbus made inroads with these airlines following the issues surrounding Boeing’s 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations, expressed satisfaction with the renewed partnership with Japan Airlines, noting the airline’s continued choice of the 787 Dreamliner as it modernizes its fleet.
This announcement coincides with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow. Japan Airlines has ordered 10 Dreamliners with an option for 10 more, while Korean Air has committed to 20 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, also with an option for an additional 10 787-10s.
The mention of a “long-standing partnership” brings to mind reports from March indicating that Airbus sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking the first purchase of a single-aisle aircraft from a manufacturer other than Boeing. This purchase came during a period when the A321neo was competing against the troubled 737 Max.
Similarly, it was reported that Airbus sold several wide-body jets to Korean Air, whose fleet predominantly consists of Boeing aircraft. This move was interpreted as a rebuff to Boeing’s 777x, which is nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplane division, conveyed the company’s honor in being selected by Korean Air for its largest and most efficient widebody airplanes, emphasizing Boeing’s integral role in supporting the airline’s growth and sustainability objectives over the past 50 years.