Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 aircraft. The manufacturer revealed on Monday that it secured commitments for up to 80 wide-body planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This follows a period where Airbus had gained traction with these airlines amid challenges faced by Boeing due to the 737 Max controversy earlier in the year.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s sales operations head, expressed appreciation for the enduring relationship with Japan Airlines, stating, “We value our long-standing partnership with Japan Airlines and are pleased they have re-selected the 787 Dreamliner as they continue to modernize their world-class fleet.”
This announcement coincides with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow. Japan Airlines has ordered 10 Dreamliners with an option for an additional 10, while Korean Air has placed an order for twenty 777-9 jets and twenty 787-10 models, with an option for 10 more 787-10s.
The remarks on partnership are significant, recalling a March report indicating Airbus sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking a shift as it was the first instance of the airline acquiring a single-aisle aircraft from a manufacturer other than Boeing. Meanwhile, Airbus had made similar inroads with Korean Air at that time.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, commented on the new orders, saying, “We are honored Korean Air has selected our largest, most efficient widebody airplanes to add capacity to its global network.” She emphasized the historical importance of Boeing’s aircraft within Korean Air’s operations, highlighting the 777X and 787 Dreamliner as key components of the airline’s sustainability and growth objectives moving forward.