Boeing recently announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft, securing commitments for up to 80 planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This announcement, made on the first day of the Farnborough International Airshow, indicates Boeing’s response to Airbus’s recent advances in the market, particularly after the challenges faced by the 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed gratitude for the long-term relationship with Japan Airlines, highlighting their choice to continue modernizing their fleet with the 787 Dreamliner. Specifically, Japan Airlines plans to acquire 10 Dreamliners with an option for 10 additional units. Korean Air has placed orders for 20 models of the 777-9 and 20 of the 787-10, with an option for 10 more 787-10s.
The “long-standing partnership” remark recalls a report from March, which noted that Airbus had sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking the first occasion it procured a single-aisle aircraft from a competitor other than Boeing. This was significant amidst the ongoing issues surrounding the 737 Max, including a scandal and production slowdown.
Additionally, reports indicated that Airbus sold several wide-body jets to Korean Air during the same timeframe, which predominantly operates Boeing aircraft. This order was perceived as a blow to Boeing’s 777X model, which is just nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed honor at Korean Air’s decision to select Boeing’s largest and most efficient widebody aircraft to enhance its global operations. She emphasized that Boeing planes have been crucial to Korean Air for the past 50 years and that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will support the airline’s long-term sustainability and growth objectives.