Boeing has made significant strides in securing new orders for its larger aircraft, announcing on Monday that Japan Airlines and Korean Air have placed orders for up to 80 of its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle planes. This comes as a response to French competitor Airbus, which had previously gained ground with these airlines following the issues surrounding Boeing’s 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed appreciation for the relationship with Japan Airlines, stating, “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.”
This announcement coincides with the first day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a significant event in the aerospace industry. Japan Airlines has ordered 10 Dreamliners with an option for an additional 10, while Korean Air has requested twenty 777-9 models and twenty 787-10 planes, also with an option for 10 more 787-10s.
The mention of a “long-standing partnership” highlights a notable shift when, in March, Airbus sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking its first acquisition of a single-aisle aircraft from a competitor other than Boeing. The A321neo stands in direct competition with the 737 Max, which was under scrutiny during a significant production slowdown.
Additionally, Bloomberg previously reported that Airbus secured several wide-body jet orders from Korean Air, which typically features a Boeing-dominated fleet. This was interpreted as a snub to Boeing’s 777x model, which has only recently approached regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, remarked, “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.”