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 news comes as a response to recent orders made by Airbus, which had gained traction among these airlines following issues with Boeing’s 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s sales operations chief, emphasized the importance of the partnership with Japan Airlines, expressing satisfaction that they have chosen the 787 Dreamliner for their fleet modernization efforts.
The announcement was made during the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aviation industry. Japan Airlines has placed an order for 10 Dreamliners with an option for 10 more. Meanwhile, Korean Air has ordered 20 of the 777-9 models and another 20 of the 787-10, along with an option for 10 additional 787-10 aircraft.
This development contrasts with reports from earlier this year, which indicated that Airbus had sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking a notable shift as it was the first occasion Japan Airlines purchased a single-aisle aircraft from a manufacturer other than Boeing. Similarly, it was reported that Airbus had secured orders for several wide-body jets from Korean Air, traditionally a Boeing customer.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed her gratitude to Korean Air for selecting Boeing’s most efficient widebody planes, highlighting the long-standing relationship that has flourished over the past 50 years. She affirmed that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will be essential in meeting the airline’s sustainability and growth objectives.