Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle planes, securing commitments for up to 80 aircraft from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This announcement comes as a response to Airbus’s earlier gains among these carriers following the issues surrounding Boeing’s 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed satisfaction with Japan Airlines’ decision to continue modernizing its fleet with the 787 Dreamliner, highlighting the company’s long-standing partnership. During the ongoing Farnborough International Airshow, Japan Airlines confirmed an order for 10 Dreamliners, with an option for an additional 10. Korean Air has ordered 20 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, also with the option for 10 more 787-10s.
This renewed focus on Boeing comes after reports indicated that Airbus had sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking the first time the airline purchased a single-aisle aircraft from a manufacturer other than Boeing. The timing was critical, as the A321neo directly competes with the troubled 737 Max model, which was facing production challenges.
Similarly, reports suggested that Airbus had also secured sales of wide-body jets to Korean Air, historically a Boeing customer, potentially signaling a shift as the airline awaits regulatory clearance for the 777X.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed gratitude towards Korean Air for selecting Boeing’s efficient wide-body planes, emphasizing that Boeing has been integral to the carrier’s operations for the past five decades. She reiterated that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will align with the airline’s goals for sustainability and growth.