Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. The company stated on Monday that it has secured orders for up to 80 planes, signaling its competitive response after French rival Airbus made inroads with these airlines during the earlier controversies surrounding the 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s sales operations chief, emphasized the importance of the partnership with Japan Airlines, highlighting their decision to continue modernizing their fleet with the Dreamliner model.
The announcement coincides with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aviation industry. Japan Airlines has ordered 10 Dreamliners, with an option for 10 additional units. Korean Air has committed to 20 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, also with an option for an additional 10 787-10s.
This situation draws attention to a Reuters report from March, which highlighted Airbus’s sale of 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines—the airline’s first purchase of a single-aisle aircraft from a manufacturer other than Boeing. The A321neo competes with the 737 Max, which was facing a significant scandal and production slowdown at that time.
Moreover, Bloomberg reported that Airbus had sold several wide-body jets to Korean Air, despite the majority of its fleet being comprised of Boeing aircraft. This move was interpreted as a potential rejection of the 777X, which is nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed gratitude for Korean Air’s selection of Boeing’s largest, most efficient widebody aircraft, underscoring the integral role Boeing planes have played in the airline’s operations over the past five decades. The introduction of the 777X and 787 Dreamliner is intended to align with Korean Air’s long-term sustainability and growth objectives.