Boeing has announced significant aircraft orders from Japan Airlines and Korean Air, securing commitments for up to 80 of its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle planes. This development comes as a response to the recent competition from Airbus, which had previously made inroads with these carriers due to Boeing’s challenges with the 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed the company’s appreciation for its enduring relationship with Japan Airlines, highlighting the airline’s decision to select the 787 Dreamliner as it modernizes its fleet.
This announcement coincides with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a prominent event in the aviation industry. Japan Airlines plans to acquire 10 Dreamliners with an option for 10 additional planes. Meanwhile, Korean Air has ordered twenty 777-9 models and twenty 787-10 planes, also with an option for 10 more 787-10s.
The reference to a “long-standing partnership” sheds light on recent shifts in the market. In March, reports indicated that Airbus sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking the first time the airline had purchased a single-aisle aircraft from anyone other than Boeing. The A321neo poses competition to the 737 Max, which is facing turbulence from ongoing issues.
Similarly, Airbus has reportedly secured sales of several wide-body jets to Korean Air, which predominantly operates Boeing aircraft. This action is seen as a potential rebuke of Boeing’s 777x, which is nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, leading Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed gratitude for Korean Air’s selection of Boeing’s widebody planes, highlighting their role in the airline’s fleet for the past five decades. She noted that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will play crucial roles in supporting Korean Air’s long-term sustainability and growth objectives.