Boeing has announced significant orders for its popular 787 Dreamliner and 777 aircraft models. On Monday, the company revealed that Japan Airlines and Korean Air have placed orders for up to 80 of these wide-body planes. This move comes after Airbus gained ground with these airlines following challenges faced by Boeing, particularly related to the 737 Max model.
Boeing’s head of sales operations, Brad McMullen, expressed satisfaction with Japan Airlines’ choice to continue its partnership by selecting the Dreamliner to modernize its fleet. The announcement coincides with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a prominent industry event. Japan Airlines has ordered 10 Dreamliners with the option to purchase an additional 10. Korean Air has ordered twenty units of the 777-9 and twenty of the 787-10, with a similar option for 10 more 787-10s.
This news brings to mind a report from March indicating that Airbus had secured an order for 11 A321neo jets from Japan Airlines, marking the first purchase of a single-aisle aircraft from a non-Boeing manufacturer. This move occurred amidst ongoing scrutiny over the 737 Max and a substantial reduction in production rates.
Additionally, Bloomberg reported earlier that Airbus had made sales to Korean Air, which predominantly operates Boeing planes. This sale was interpreted as a sign of shifting loyalties, especially with the ongoing delays in obtaining regulatory approval for Boeing’s 777X model.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplane division, welcomed Korean Air’s decision to select Boeing’s largest and most efficient wide-body aircraft, emphasizing the company’s long-term partnership with the airline and its commitment to supporting its growth and sustainability objectives.