Boeing has 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. This development comes as a response to increased competition from European rival Airbus, which had previously made inroads with these carriers following issues related to Boeing’s 737 Max aircraft.
Boeing’s sales operations head, Brad McMullen, expressed appreciation for the renewed partnership with Japan Airlines, highlighting their decision to re-select the 787 Dreamliner as they work to modernize their fleet. For the first day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aviation industry, Japan Airlines has agreed to purchase 10 Dreamliners with an option for an additional 10. Meanwhile, Korean Air has committed to 20 units of the 777-9 and 20 of the 787-10, with the option for 10 more 787-10s.
This announcement is particularly noteworthy given the context of previous orders. In March, reports indicated that Japan Airlines made history by purchasing 11 A321neo jets from Airbus, marking the first time the airline acquired a single-aisle aircraft from a manufacturer other than Boeing. Similarly, it was reported that Korean Air had also turned to Airbus for several wide-body jets, a move perceived as a slight against Boeing’s 777X, which is nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, who leads Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, conveyed gratitude for Korean Air’s decision to choose Boeing’s latest wide-body planes, emphasizing the critical role Boeing aircraft have played in the airline’s operations over the past five decades. She also reiterated that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner would support Korean Air’s sustainability goals and growth strategy.