Boeing has announced significant orders for its large aircraft, revealing on Monday that Japan Airlines and Korean Air have placed orders for up to 80 of its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle planes. This move comes after Airbus made inroads with these carriers following issues earlier this year related to Boeing’s 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed the company’s appreciation for its long-standing partnership with Japan Airlines, which has opted for 10 Dreamliners with the option for an additional 10. Korean Air has ordered 20 models of the 777-9 and 20 of the 787-10, also with an option for 10 more 787-10s.
This announcement coincides with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a significant event for the aviation industry. The backdrop of these orders is particularly notable given a recent shift, where Japan Airlines purchased 11 A321neo jets from Airbus, marking their first acquisition of a single-aisle aircraft from a manufacturer other than Boeing. Additionally, reports indicated that Airbus sold several wide-body jets to Korean Air during this same period.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, commented on the Korean Air selection, stating that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will play a crucial role in the airline’s strategy for sustainability and growth in the long term.