Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle planes, securing commitments for up to 80 aircraft from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This development comes after Airbus had made gains in the market when Boeing was facing challenges with its 737 Max earlier this year.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed the company’s appreciation for its ongoing relationship with Japan Airlines, noting the airline’s decision to continue with the 787 Dreamliner as it updates its fleet.
The announcement coincides with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aviation industry. Japan Airlines has committed to 10 Dreamliners, with an option for 10 additional units. Korean Air has ordered twenty 777-9 models and twenty 787-10 planes, along with the possibility of acquiring 10 more 787-10s.
This move underscores the growing competitive landscape, as earlier reports indicated that Airbus had secured orders for 11 A321neo jets from Japan Airlines—marking a significant shift as it was the first time the airline opted for a single-aisle aircraft from a manufacturer other than Boeing. Additionally, Airbus had sold several wide-body jets to Korean Air, which has predominantly operated Boeing planes.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, highlighted the importance of these new orders for Korean Air’s capacity and sustainability goals, reaffirming the airline’s long-standing partnership with Boeing over the last 50 years.