Boeing has recently announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. On Monday, the aerospace company revealed that it had secured commitments for up to 80 of these aircraft. This comes after French competitor Airbus had made inroads with these airlines during the aftermath of the 737 Max incident earlier this year, indicating that Boeing is actively responding to competitive pressures.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed appreciation for the longstanding relationship with Japan Airlines, highlighting their commitment to modernizing their fleet with the selection of the 787 Dreamliner. The announcement was made on the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aviation industry.
Japan Airlines has ordered 10 Dreamliners with the option for an additional 10, while Korean Air has placed an order for 20 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, with the possibility of adding 10 more 787-10s later.
This new partnership marks a notable shift since earlier reports indicated that Airbus had sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, a departure from their history of exclusively purchasing Boeing single-aisle planes. Similarly, Korean Air had also turned to Airbus for several wide-body jets amid the controversy surrounding Boeing’s 777x model, which is still seeking regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed gratitude to Korean Air for choosing Boeing’s most efficient wide-body aircraft, stating that these planes are essential for the airline’s sustainability efforts and long-term growth strategy.