Boeing has announced significant orders for its large aircraft, securing commitments for up to 80 units of its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This announcement came on the first day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aviation industry. Japan Airlines will be ordering 10 Dreamliners with an option for 10 additional aircraft, while Korean Air has committed to 20 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, along with an option for an additional 10 787-10s.
Boeing’s updated orders signal a strong response following Airbus’s recent gains with these airlines, particularly after Japan Airlines made its first purchase of a single-aisle plane from Airbus—11 A321neo jets—in March, amidst ongoing issues with Boeing’s 737 Max. This indicated a shift in purchasing dynamics as Airbus also secured wide-body aircraft orders from Korean Air, which has predominantly operated Boeing planes.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed appreciation for the established partnership with Japan Airlines, highlighting their decision to continue modernizing their fleet with the 787 Dreamliner. Similarly, Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, emphasized the importance of Boeing aircraft in Korean Air’s operations over the last five decades, stating that the newly ordered 777X and 787 Dreamliner will support the airline’s long-term sustainability and growth ambitions.