Boeing has announced significant new orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft. The company stated on Monday that it has secured commitments for up to 80 planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This follows recent competition from Airbus, which had begun making inroads with these carriers after the January incident involving the Boeing 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations, expressed appreciation for Japan Airlines’ renewed choice of the 787 Dreamliner as they modernize their fleet, highlighting the ongoing collaboration between the two companies.
This announcement coincides with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, an important event in the aviation industry. Japan Airlines has committed to purchasing 10 Dreamliners with the potential for an additional 10, while Korean Air has placed an order for 20 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, with an option for 10 more 787-10s.
The reference to a longstanding partnership is notable following a Reuters report from March, which revealed that Japan Airlines purchased 11 A321neo jets from Airbus, marking a shift as it was their first acquisition of a single-aisle plane from a manufacturer other than Boeing. The A321neo competes with the troubled 737 Max, which was facing major scandals and production slowdowns at that time.
Similarly, Bloomberg reported that Airbus had sold several wide-body jets to Korean Air, which primarily operates Boeing aircraft. This move was interpreted as a slight to the 777x, which is only now nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, remarked that they are honored Korean Air has chosen their large and efficient wide-body airplanes to enhance its global network. She emphasized Boeing’s integral role in Korean Air’s operations over the past five decades and affirmed that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will assist the airline in achieving its sustainability and growth objectives.