Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. On Monday, the company revealed it had secured commitments for up to 80 planes, signaling its resilience following earlier challenges from rival Airbus, which had made inroads with these carriers after Boeing’s 737 Max faced issues.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s sales operations leader, expressed appreciation for the enduring partnership with Japan Airlines, stating they are pleased the airline has chosen the 787 Dreamliner to enhance its fleet.
This announcement coincides with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a prominent event in the aviation industry. Japan Airlines intends to take delivery of 10 Dreamliners, with an option for an additional 10. Meanwhile, Korean Air has placed orders for twenty 777-9 aircraft and twenty 787-10 jets, along with the option for 10 more 787-10s.
The reference to a “long-standing partnership” follows a March report by Reuters, which noted that Japan Airlines had purchased 11 A321neo jets from Airbus, marking a shift in their purchasing strategy as it was the first time the airline had bought a single-aisle aircraft from a competitor of Boeing. This shift came during a tumultuous period for Boeing, characterized by the ongoing issues surrounding the 737 Max.
Additionally, Bloomberg reported similar trends, noting that Airbus had sold several wide-body jets to Korean Air, historically a Boeing-centric airline, potentially signaling a competitive move against Boeing’s 777x, which is nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed gratitude that Korean Air has opted for their largest and most efficient widebody planes, emphasizing Boeing’s significant role in the airline’s operations over the past 50 years and the alignment of the new aircraft with the airline’s sustainability and growth objectives.