Boeing has recently secured significant orders for its largest aircraft, as the company announced on Monday that it has obtained orders for up to 80 units of its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle models from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This comes after Airbus had made inroads with these carriers amid the fallout from Boeing’s 737 Max issues earlier this year, indicating that Boeing is responding proactively to this competitive pressure.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed satisfaction with Japan Airlines’ decision to reselect the 787 Dreamliner to modernize their fleet, stating, “We value our long-standing partnership with Japan Airlines.”
This announcement coincides with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aviation industry. Japan Airlines has confirmed an order for 10 Dreamliners with an option for an additional 10. Meanwhile, Korean Air has ordered 20 models of the 777-9 and 20 787-10 planes, with the option for 10 more 787-10s.
The term “long-standing partnership” highlights a shift in dynamics, as Reuters reported in March that Japan Airlines had purchased 11 A321neo jets from Airbus, marking a departure from exclusively acquiring single-aisle planes from Boeing. This shift occurred during a period when the 737 Max was grappling with controversies and production challenges.
Similarly, Bloomberg noted that Airbus had also sold several wide-body jets to Korean Air, which operates primarily Boeing aircraft. This development was perceived as a rejection of the 777x, which is nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed gratitude for Korean Air’s commitment to Boeing’s aircraft, saying, “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.”