Boeing has recently announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft. On Monday, the company revealed that it has secured orders for up to 80 planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This development comes after Airbus had made inroads with these airlines during the challenges Boeing faced earlier this year.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with Japan Airlines, stating that they are happy the airline has chosen the 787 Dreamliner as it modernizes its fleet.
This announcement was made during the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aviation industry. Japan Airlines has ordered 10 Dreamliners with an option for 10 additional units, while Korean Air has committed to purchasing 20 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, with an option for 10 more 787-10s.
The mention of a “long-standing partnership” brings to mind a March report indicating that Airbus had sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking the first time the airline purchased a single-aisle plane from a manufacturer other than Boeing. This was during a challenging time for Boeing, especially with the issues surrounding the 737 Max.
Additionally, there were reports that Airbus had sold several wide-body jets to Korean Air, which primarily operates Boeing aircraft. This move was perceived as a slight to the Boeing 777X, which is nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed gratitude to Korean Air for choosing their largest and most efficient wide-body airplanes to enhance its global network. She noted that Boeing aircraft have been vital to Korean Air for the past 50 years, and the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will support the airline’s long-term sustainability and growth goals.