Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle planes, securing deals with Japan Airlines and Korean Air for up to 80 aircraft. The announcement comes as a response to recent competition from Airbus, which had made inroads with these carriers following Boeing’s issues with its 737 Max in January.
Boeing’s head of sales operations, Brad McMullen, expressed appreciation for Japan Airlines’ continued partnership, noting that the airline will acquire 10 Dreamliners with an option for an additional 10. Korean Air has placed an order for 20 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, with the option to obtain 10 more 787-10s.
This announcement coincides with the Farnborough International Airshow, an important event in the aviation industry. The recent orders highlight a shift in the market, as Japan Airlines previously ordered 11 A321neo jets from Airbus, marking its first purchase of a single-aisle plane from a rival manufacturer. Meanwhile, it was reported that Airbus also made a sale of several wide-body jets to Korean Air.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, emphasized the importance of Boeing’s aircraft in Korean Air’s operations over the past 50 years, asserting that the new orders for the 777X and 787 Dreamliner align with the airline’s sustainability and growth objectives.