Boeing has announced significant new orders for its flagship aircraft, securing commitments for up to 80 of its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle jets from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This development comes after French competitor Airbus had made gains with these airlines during the disruptions caused by a safety issue with Boeing’s 737 Max earlier this year.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations, expressed appreciation for the continued partnership with Japan Airlines, emphasizing that the airline has opted to enhance its fleet by selecting the 787 Dreamliner.
This announcement coincides with the opening of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aviation industry. Japan Airlines has finalized an order for 10 Dreamliners, with an option for an additional 10. Meanwhile, Korean Air has ordered twenty 777-9 aircraft and twenty 787-10 jets, with the possibility of adding 10 more 787-10s.
The reference to a “long-standing partnership” reflects recent activity where Airbus sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Air, marking their first acquisition of a single-aisle plane from a competitor aside from Boeing. The A321neo competes directly with the troubled 737 Max, which was facing a significant scandal and production delays.
Additionally, reports indicated that Airbus had secured several orders for wide-body jets from Korean Air, known for its predominantly Boeing fleet, suggesting a strategic move away from the Boeing 777x, which is nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, the head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed gratitude to Korean Air for selecting Boeing’s latest widebody models to enhance their global operations. She highlighted Boeing’s sustained role in supporting Korean Air over the last half-century, underscoring that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner align with the airline’s sustainability and growth objectives.