Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft, revealing on Monday that it has secured orders for up to 80 planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This move comes after Airbus made inroads with these carriers following issues with Boeing’s 737 Max earlier this year, indicating that Boeing is actively responding to these challenges.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed the company’s appreciation for its partnership with Japan Airlines, noting their choice to modernize their fleet with the 787 Dreamliner.
These announcements coincide with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aerospace industry. Japan Airlines has committed to acquiring 10 Dreamliners with the option for 10 additional aircraft. Meanwhile, Korean Air has ordered 20 of the 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, with an option for 10 more 787-10s.
The reference to a “long-standing partnership” highlights a recent report indicating that Japan Airlines had previously purchased 11 A321neo jets from Airbus, marking a departure from its historically exclusive relationship with Boeing for single-aisle aircraft. This decision was made during turbulence for Boeing, as it dealt with the fallout from the 737 Max scandal and production issues.
Additionally, there have been reports suggesting that Airbus has sold several wide-body jets to Korean Air, which mainly operates Boeing aircraft. These transactions have been viewed as a challenge to Boeing, particularly concerning the 777X model, which is nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, emphasized the significance of Korean Air’s selection of Boeing’s latest models, stating that these planes will bolster the airline’s global operations while supporting its sustainability and growth objectives.