Boeing has announced significant orders for its large aircraft, revealing on Monday that it secured commitments for up to 80 of its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle jets from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This news comes as a response to earlier movements by Airbus, which had made inroads with the carriers following Boeing’s difficulties with the 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed satisfaction with the renewed partnership with Japan Airlines, highlighting their decision to opt for the 787 Dreamliner as they update their fleet.
These announcements were made during the opening of the Farnborough International Airshow, an important event in the aviation sector. Japan Airlines will receive 10 Dreamliners, with an option for an additional 10. Meanwhile, Korean Air has placed orders for 20 777-9 models and 20 787-10 aircraft, also with an option for 10 more 787-10s.
The mention of a “long-standing partnership” follows a report from March indicating that Airbus had sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking the airline’s first acquisition of a single-aisle plane from a manufacturer other than Boeing. The A321neo is a competitor to the 737 Max, which was facing challenges due to ongoing issues and production slowdowns at that time.
Additionally, reports indicated that Airbus had also delivered several wide-body jets to Korean Air, which traditionally has a Boeing-dominated fleet. This decision was perceived as a potential setback for Boeing, especially for its 777x, which is nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, stated that Boeing is honored that Korean Air chose their largest and most efficient widebody planes to enhance its global operations. She emphasized that Boeing aircraft have been a critical element of Korean Air’s operations over the past 50 years, stating that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will be vital for the airline’s sustainability and growth objectives.