Boeing has announced significant orders for its largest aircraft, securing agreements for up to 80 of its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle models from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This announcement was made on Monday, indicating that Boeing is responding to competitive pressures from Airbus, which had made inroads with these airlines following issues related to Boeing’s 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations, expressed the company’s appreciation for Japan Airlines by saying, “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.”
This development coincides with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aviation industry. Japan Airlines has committed to acquiring 10 Dreamliners, with the option for an additional 10. Korean Air has ordered 20 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, with a similar option for 10 more 787-10s.
The mention of a “long-standing partnership” recalls a Reuters report from March, which noted that Japan Airlines purchased 11 A321neo jets from Airbus, marking the first time it acquired a single-aisle aircraft from a manufacturer other than Boeing, amid a challenging period for the 737 Max.
Additionally, Bloomberg indicated that Airbus had sold several wide-body jets to Korean Air, traditionally a Boeing customer, suggesting that this could be seen as a rebuke to Boeing’s 777X, which is nearing regulatory approval.
In response to these orders, Stephanie Pope, Boeing’s head of commercial airplanes, stated, “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.”