Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft, securing commitments for up to 80 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. Following some of its recent challenges, including the fallout from the 737 Max issues, Boeing’s new orders indicate a strong response to competition from Airbus, which had gained traction with these airlines earlier this year.
Japan Airlines will acquire 10 Dreamliners with an option for an additional 10, while Korean Air has committed to 20 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, also with the option for 10 more 787-10s. Boeing’s sales operations head, Brad McMullen, expressed appreciation for Japan Airlines’ continued partnership, emphasizing the airline’s choice to modernize its fleet with Boeing’s aircraft.
These orders come after reports that Japan Airlines had previously purchased 11 Airbus A321neo jets, marking the first instance of the airline acquiring a single-aisle plane from any manufacturer other than Boeing. Similarly, Korean Air has been reported to have placed orders for several Airbus wide-body jets, posing a challenge to Boeing amid its production issues with the 777x.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, remarked on the long history of partnership with Korean Air, highlighting that the selected aircraft will enhance the airline’s global operations while aligning with its sustainability and growth goals.