Boeing has announced significant orders for its large aircraft, securing commitments for up to 80 of its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This development follows recent challenges from Airbus, which had made inroads with these airlines after issues with Boeing’s 737 Max earlier this year.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations, expressed appreciation for the ongoing partnership with Japan Airlines, noting their decision to continue using the 787 Dreamliner as they upgrade their fleet.
The announcement coincides with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aviation industry. Japan Airlines has ordered 10 Dreamliners with an option for an additional 10, while Korean Air has committed to 20 units of the 777-9 and 20 787-10 aircraft, with another option for 10 more 787-10s.
This partnership comes after reports that Japan Airlines made its first purchase of Airbus A321neo jets, marking a shift from exclusively dealing with Boeing for single-aisle planes. Similarly, Korean Air had also started acquiring Airbus wide-body jets, signaling potential competitive challenges for Boeing.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, emphasized the importance of their long-standing relationship with Korean Air, highlighting how the new 777X and 787 Dreamliner will continue to support the airline’s sustainability and growth objectives over the coming years.