Boeing has announced significant new orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft, securing commitments for up to 80 planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This move comes after Airbus had made inroads with these carriers during Boeing’s challenges related to the 737 Max issue earlier this year.
Brad McMullen, who leads Boeing’s sales operations, expressed the company’s appreciation for the partnership with Japan Airlines, highlighting their decision to select the 787 Dreamliner as part of their fleet modernization efforts.
The announcement was made on the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aviation industry. Japan Airlines ordered ten Dreamliners with an option for ten more, while Korean Air placed an order for twenty 777-9 models and twenty 787-10 planes, also with an option for an additional ten 787-10s.
This development contrasts with a previous report indicating that Airbus sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Air, marking the first purchase of a single-aisle aircraft from Airbus rather than Boeing. The A321neo competes directly with the 737 Max, which was facing significant production challenges at the time.
Additionally, reports indicated that Airbus had sold multiple wide-body jets to Korean Air, which traditionally has a fleet dominated by Boeing aircraft. This was seen as a response to the slow progress of Boeing’s 777X, which is nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, welcomed Korean Air’s selection of their wide-body planes, emphasizing Boeing’s historical role in Korean Air’s operations over the past 50 years. She noted that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will help the airline achieve its sustainability objectives and support its ongoing growth.