Boeing has made a significant move in securing new orders for its largest aircraft models. The aerospace giant announced on Monday that it has received orders for up to 80 units of its 787 Dreamliner and 777 wide-body aircraft from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This development comes on the heels of competition from French rival Airbus, which had recently captured interest from these carriers following the issues surrounding Boeing’s 737 Max earlier this year.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations, expressed satisfaction with Japan Airlines’ renewed selection of the 787 Dreamliner, highlighting their ongoing partnership and the airline’s efforts to modernize its fleet.
These announcements were made during the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aviation industry. Japan Airlines has ordered 10 Dreamliners with an option for an additional 10. Meanwhile, Korean Air has placed orders for 20 Boeing 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, also with an option for 10 more 787-10s.
The reference to a “long-standing partnership” draws attention to a previous report where it was noted that Airbus had sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking the first time Japan Airlines purchased a single-aisle aircraft from a manufacturer other than Boeing. This occurred while the 737 Max was facing serious scandals and production challenges.
Similarly, it was reported that Airbus had sold a number of wide-body jets to Korean Air, a significant portion of whose fleet consists of Boeing aircraft. This order was interpreted as a potential setback for the 777X, which is still nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed honor in Korean Air’s choice of Boeing aircraft for expanding its global network, reaffirming the long-standing relationship between the two. She emphasized the importance of the 777X and 787 Dreamliner in supporting the airline’s goals of sustainability and growth in the future.