Boeing has announced significant orders for its largest aircraft, securing commitments for up to 80 of its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This development, revealed on Monday, indicates that Boeing is responding to competition from Airbus, which had gained ground with these airlines following issues with Boeing’s 737 Max earlier this year.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations, expressed appreciation for the ongoing partnership with Japan Airlines, highlighting their decision to choose the 787 Dreamliner as the airline modernizes its fleet. This announcement coincides with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aviation industry.
Japan Airlines will acquire 10 Dreamliners, with the option for an additional 10, while Korean Air has ordered twenty 777-9 models and twenty 787-10s, also with an option for 10 more 787-10s.
This news follows a report in March that indicated Airbus had sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking the first purchase of a single-aisle aircraft from a competitor to Boeing. The A321neo competes with the troubled 737 Max, which was facing significant production challenges at that time.
Additionally, it was reported that Airbus had secured orders for several wide-body jets from Korean Air, which primarily operates Boeing aircraft. This was perceived as a setback for the 777X, which is nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, stated that Boeing is honored by Korean Air’s selection of its largest and most efficient wide-body planes, emphasizing the integral role Boeing aircraft have played in the airline’s 50-year history and their alignment with the airline’s goals for sustainability and growth.