Boeing has made significant strides in securing large orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle planes. On Monday, the company announced it had received orders for up to 80 of these aircraft from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This development comes after Airbus had made inroads with these airlines during Boeing’s challenges with the 737 Max earlier this year, indicating that Boeing is actively reclaiming its position.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations, expressed appreciation for the longstanding partnership with Japan Airlines, highlighting their decision to select the 787 Dreamliner as they work to modernize their fleet.
These orders were announced on the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aviation industry. Japan Airlines has committed to purchasing 10 Dreamliners with options for 10 additional units, while Korean Air has ordered 20 units of the 777-9 model and 20 of the 787-10, also with an option for 10 more 787-10s.
The reference to a “long-standing partnership” is notable in light of a report in March that revealed Japan Airlines had purchased 11 A321neo jets from Airbus, marking their first acquisition of a single-aisle aircraft from a manufacturer other than Boeing. This move occurred amid the struggles Boeing faced with the 737 Max, which was surrounded by controversy and production delays.
Additionally, Bloomberg reported that Airbus had sold several wide-body jets to Korean Air, which predominantly operates Boeing aircraft. This order was perceived as a rebuttal to Boeing’s 777X, which is nearing the end of its regulatory approval process.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed gratitude for Korean Air’s selection of Boeing’s most efficient wide-body aircraft, emphasizing the historical significance of Boeing planes in Korean Air’s operations over the past 50 years. She noted that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will continue to play a crucial role in the airline’s objectives for sustainability and growth.