Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 wide-body aircraft from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. The U.S. aerospace giant revealed on Monday that it has secured orders for up to 80 planes. This move comes after Airbus made inroads with these airlines during Boeing’s ongoing challenges with its 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s sales operations head, expressed satisfaction with Japan Airlines’ decision to continue investing in the 787 Dreamliner as they modernize their fleet. Specifically, Japan Airlines is set to receive 10 Dreamliners with an option for an additional 10. Meanwhile, Korean Air has committed to purchasing 20 777-9 models and 20 787-10 aircraft, with an option for another 10 of the latter.
This announcement coincides with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a prominent event in the aviation industry. The orders highlight Boeing’s continuing relationship with both airlines, despite recent competition from Airbus, which had previously sold jets to both carriers.
In March, it was reported that Japan Airlines purchased 11 A321neo jets from Airbus, marking a significant shift as it was their first single-aisle purchase from a competitor. Similarly, Korean Air’s recent acquisitions included Airbus wide-body jets, which were seen as a challenge to Boeing’s 777x, still in the certification process.
Stephanie Pope, President of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed appreciation for Korean Air’s decision to choose Boeing for their new aircraft, noting the ongoing partnership between the airline and Boeing over the past 50 years. She emphasized that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will play a crucial role in Korean Air’s strategies for sustainability and future growth.