Boeing has announced significant orders for its major aircraft, revealing that it secured commitments for up to 80 of its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This news indicates that Boeing is responding to competition from French rival Airbus, which had gained attention from these carriers following issues with the Boeing 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations, expressed appreciation for the ongoing partnership with Japan Airlines, highlighting their selection of the 787 Dreamliner as they update their fleet.
This announcement coincides with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aviation industry. Japan Airlines is set to acquire 10 Dreamliners, with an option for 10 additional aircraft, while Korean Air has placed an order for 20 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, also with the option for 10 more 787-10s.
The reference to a “long-standing partnership” brings to mind a Reuters report from March, which stated that Airbus sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking the first time the airline purchased a single-aisle plane from a manufacturer other than Boeing. At that time, the A321neo was a competitor to the troubled 737 Max, which was experiencing a scandal and production slowdown.
According to Bloomberg, Airbus had also made sales of wide-body jets to Korean Air during the same period, despite Boeing’s dominance in the airline’s fleet. The report indicated that this order might have been a slight against the 777X, which is nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed gratitude to Korean Air for choosing Boeing’s largest and most efficient widebody aircraft to enhance its global operations. She noted that Boeing has been a vital part of Korean Air’s fleet for the past 50 years, asserting that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will aid in the airline’s goals for sustainability and growth.