Boeing has made a significant announcement regarding new orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft. The manufacturer revealed on Monday that it secured commitments for up to 80 planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This move comes after Airbus had managed to make inroads with these airlines amid ongoing challenges faced by Boeing, particularly related to the 737 Max issues earlier in the year.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations, expressed appreciation for the collaboration with Japan Airlines, stating, “We value our long-standing partnership with Japan Airlines and are pleased that they have re-selected the 787 Dreamliner as they continue to modernize their world-class fleet.”
The announcement coincides with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, an important event in the aviation industry. Japan Airlines has ordered 10 Dreamliners with an option for 10 additional units. Korean Air has confirmed orders for 20 of the 777-9 models and 20 of the 787-10 planes, along with an option for 10 more 787-10s.
This development highlights the competitive landscape in the aircraft manufacturing sector. Earlier this year, it was reported that Airbus sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking a shift as it was their first acquisition of a single-aisle aircraft from a manufacturer other than Boeing. Furthermore, sources noted that Airbus had also sold several wide-body jets to Korean Air, which could be seen as a strategic move given that the airline’s fleet is predominantly Boeing.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplane division, emphasized the significance of this new order, saying, “We are honored Korean Air has selected our largest, most efficient widebody airplanes to add capacity to its global network.” She also mentioned Boeing’s enduring relationship with Korean Air over the past 50 years, stating that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner would play vital roles in the airline’s sustainability and growth strategies.