Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft, securing up to 80 orders from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This news comes following a period during which Airbus had made inroads with these carriers amidst challenges faced by Boeing related to its 737 Max aircraft.
In a statement, Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed appreciation for the relationship with Japan Airlines, which has opted for 10 Dreamliners with an option for an additional 10. Meanwhile, Korean Air has committed to 20 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, also with the option for 10 more 787-10s.
These recent orders come on the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, an important event for the aerospace industry. McMullen’s comments also recall a March report from Reuters indicating that Japan Airlines had acquired 11 A321neo jets from Airbus, marking a notable shift as it was the first time the airline had purchased a single-aisle plane from a manufacturer other than Boeing. This order was prompted by issues surrounding the 737 Max.
At the same time, Bloomberg reported that Korean Air had purchased several wide-body jets from Airbus, which could be interpreted as a move away from Boeing, especially as the 777X aircraft awaited regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, indicated the company’s long-standing relationship with Korean Air, stating that the new orders of the 777X and 787 Dreamliner align with the airline’s objectives for growth and sustainability.