Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. The planemaker revealed on Monday that it secured commitments for up to 80 planes as it aims to reclaim market share lost to its French competitor, Airbus, after recent setbacks related to the 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed enthusiasm for the renewed partnership with Japan Airlines, highlighting their choice of the 787 Dreamliner to enhance their fleet modernization efforts.
This announcement coincides with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a major event in the aerospace industry. Japan Airlines has placed an order for 10 Dreamliners, with options for 10 additional aircraft. Meanwhile, Korean Air has committed to purchasing 20 of the 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, with the option to acquire 10 more 787-10s.
Boeing’s statement about its long-term relationships recalls a recent Reuters report indicating that Japan Airlines had purchased 11 A321neo jets from Airbus, marking its first acquisition of single-aisle planes from a competitor. This was significant, given that the A321neo rivals the troubled 737 Max, which was facing a substantial scandal and production challenges at that time.
Additionally, Bloomberg reported that Airbus sold several wide-body jets to Korean Air, with much of its fleet traditionally comprised of Boeing aircraft. This order was interpreted as a potential rebuke to the 777x, which is nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed gratitude to Korean Air for selecting Boeing’s most efficient wide-body airplanes, noting their importance to the airline’s long-term sustainability and growth objectives over the past 50 years.