Boeing has announced significant orders for its flagship 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 intensified competition with these airlines during the earlier impact of Boeing’s 737 Max issues in January, indicating that Boeing is actively reclaiming its market position.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed appreciation for the ongoing partnership with Japan Airlines, which has opted for 10 Dreamliners, with an option for 10 additional planes. Korean Air has placed orders for twenty 777-9 models and twenty 787-10 aircraft, also with the option for 10 more 787-10s.
The announcement aligns with the kickoff of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aviation industry. The mention of a “long-standing partnership” highlights Boeing’s recent challenges, including a Reuters report from March indicating that Japan Airlines had ordered 11 A321neo jets from Airbus, marking the first time the carrier purchased a single-aisle plane from a competitor. This shift occurred amidst the 737 Max scandal which led to a significant production slowdown.
Similarly, Bloomberg had reported earlier that Airbus had sold several wide-body jets to Korean Air, which primarily operates Boeing aircraft. This order was viewed as a potential slight to 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 jets, emphasizing Boeing’s longstanding role with the airline over the past 50 years. She noted that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will play critical roles in supporting Korean Air’s sustainability goals and growth strategies.