Boeing has announced significant new orders for its large aircraft, securing agreements for up to 80 of its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This announcement comes as a response to the competition posed by Airbus, which had made progress with these carriers following issues related to Boeing’s 737 Max earlier this year.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, stated, “We value our long-standing partnership with Japan Airlines and are pleased that they have re-selected the 787 Dreamliner as they continue to modernize their world-class fleet.”
These orders were revealed on the first day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aviation industry. Japan Airlines will acquire 10 Dreamliners, with an option for an additional 10, while Korean Air has ordered twenty 777-9 models alongside twenty 787-10 planes, also with the option for 10 more 787-10s.
The mention of a “long-standing partnership” recalls a Reuters report from March, which indicated that Airbus sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking the first purchase of a single-aisle plane from anyone other than Boeing. This came during a challenging period for Boeing, marked by ongoing issues with the 737 Max and a slowdown in production.
Similarly, Bloomberg had reported that Airbus sold several wide-body jets to Korean Air, which predominantly operates Boeing aircraft. This order was perceived as a slight against the 777X, which is nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed appreciation for Korean Air’s choice, stating, “We are honored Korean Air has selected our largest, most efficient widebody airplanes to add capacity to its global network. Boeing airplanes have played an integral role with Korean Air over the past 50 years, and the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will continue to support the airline’s long-term goals for sustainability and continued growth.”