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, highlighting its recovery efforts after facing competition from Airbus, particularly following issues linked to the 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations, expressed satisfaction with Japan Airlines reselecting the 787 Dreamliner to modernize its fleet, emphasizing the importance of their long-standing partnership.
This announcement coincides with the opening of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key industry event. Japan Airlines has committed to acquiring 10 Dreamliners with an option for an additional 10. Meanwhile, Korean Air has placed orders for 20 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, also with the option for 10 more 787-10s.
This partnership comes after prior reports indicated Airbus had sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking a significant move as it was the first time the airline acquired a single-aisle aircraft from a manufacturer other than Boeing. The A321neo competes with the troubled 737 Max, which was undergoing significant challenges at that time.
Similarly, reports suggested that Airbus had sold several wide-body aircraft to Korean Air, which traditionally has a Boeing-dominated fleet. This move was perceived as a potential slight toward the 777X, which is nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplane division, voiced her honor at Korean Air’s decision to select Boeing’s largest and most efficient wide-body aircraft, emphasizing their historical collaboration and the importance of the 777X and 787 Dreamliner in supporting the airline’s sustainability and growth objectives.