Boeing has announced significant orders for its largest aircraft, revealing on Monday that it has secured commitments for up to 80 of its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This development comes after Airbus made inroads with these carriers following the issues Boeing faced with its 737 Max earlier in the year, indicating that Boeing is actively working to regain its foothold.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed appreciation for the partnership with Japan Airlines, emphasizing their choice to continue with the 787 Dreamliner as they upgrade their fleet.
These announcements coincided with the first day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aviation industry. Japan Airlines plans to acquire 10 Dreamliners, with an option for 10 additional units, while Korean Air has ordered twenty 777-9 models and twenty 787-10 planes, also with an option for 10 more 787-10s.
This partnership comes in light of reports earlier this year that Airbus sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking a shift as the carrier opted for a single-aisle plane from a manufacturer other than Boeing. The A321neo competes directly with the 737 Max, which was facing challenges at that time.
Similarly, there were reports of Airbus selling several wide-body jets to Korean Air, which primarily operates Boeing aircraft. This order was seen as a potential slight against Boeing’s 777x, which is nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed pride in Korean Air’s selection of their most efficient wide-body aircraft, stating that Boeing has been a crucial part of Korean Air’s operations for the past 50 years and that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will aid the airline in achieving its sustainability and growth objectives.