Boeing has recently announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft, securing commitments for up to 80 planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. The announcement comes in the wake of competitive pressure from Airbus, which had recently made inroads into these markets during Boeing’s ongoing challenges related to the 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s sales operations head, stated, “We value our long-standing partnership with Japan Airlines and are pleased that they have re-selected the 787 Dreamliner as they continue to modernize their world-class fleet.”
The announcement aligns with the opening of the Farnborough International Airshow, a prominent industry event. Japan Airlines has confirmed an order for 10 Dreamliners with an option for 10 additional aircraft. Meanwhile, Korean Air has ordered 20 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, also with the option for 10 more 787-10s.
This development is particularly notable given a recent report indicating that Airbus had sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines earlier this year, marking the first time the airline purchased a single-aisle plane from a competitor. This order emerged during a period of trouble for Boeing, which included the 737 Max scandal and subsequent production slowdowns.
Furthermore, reports have indicated that Airbus sold several wide-body jets to Korean Air, which traditionally has a fleet predominantly composed of Boeing aircraft. Analysts suggested that this order was a strategic choice against the backdrop of Boeing’s delayed 777X, which is still nearing regulatory clearance.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed gratitude, stating, “We are honored Korean Air has selected our largest, most efficient widebody airplanes to add capacity to its global network. Boeing airplanes have played an integral role with Korean Air over the past 50 years, and the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will continue to support the airline’s long-term goals for sustainability and continued growth.”