Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. The company revealed on Monday that it has secured orders for up to 80 planes, marking a strategic move as it seeks to regain footholds after rival Airbus made inroads during recent challenges, particularly following the issues surrounding the 737 Max aircraft.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, commented on the partnership with Japan Airlines, expressing pleasure at their decision to continue with the 787 Dreamliner for fleet modernization. The announcements come on the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aerospace industry. Japan Airlines has committed to 10 Dreamliners with an option for 10 more, while Korean Air has ordered 20 models of the 777-9 and 20 of the 787-10, along with the option for an additional 10 787-10s.
The long-standing nature of the partnership is underscored by previous reports indicating that Airbus had sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking the first purchase of a single-aisle aircraft from any company other than Boeing for them, amid Boeing’s ongoing issues. Similarly, there were reports of Airbus selling several wide-body jets to Korean Air, highlighting a potential shift as the airline’s fleet is predominantly Boeing.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed gratitude towards Korean Air for selecting Boeing’s advanced widebody models. She emphasized the long-standing role of Boeing aircraft in Korean Air’s operations over the past 50 years and noted that the new orders would align with the airline’s sustainability goals and future growth plans.