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 development comes as a response to Airbus’s earlier advancements with these carriers, following the issues surrounding Boeing’s 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed the company’s appreciation for its ongoing relationship with Japan Airlines, stating their pleasure at the carrier’s decision to choose the 787 Dreamliner as part of their fleet modernization efforts.
This announcement coincides with the first day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a prominent event in the aviation industry. Japan Airlines is set to acquire 10 Dreamliners, with an option for an additional 10. Meanwhile, Korean Air has placed an order for 20 of the 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, also with the option for an extra 10 787-10s.
The mention of a “long-standing partnership” highlights a previous report in March where Airbus made a notable sale of 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking the first purchase of a single-aisle aircraft from an alternative manufacturer. This order came at a time when the 737 Max was embroiled in controversy and production issues.
Similarly, reports indicated that Airbus secured sales of several wide-body jets to Korean Air, impacting Boeing’s dominance as Korean Air’s fleet has historically been comprised primarily of Boeing aircraft. This order was interpreted as a slight against the 777X, which is nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed gratitude for Korean Air’s selection of Boeing’s advanced wide-body aircraft, emphasizing their important role in the airline’s operations over the past 50 years. She noted that both the 777X and 787 Dreamliner align with Korean Air’s sustainability objectives and long-term growth plans.