Boeing has recently announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle planes, securing commitments for up to 80 aircraft from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This development comes as a response to initial gains made by its competitor, Airbus, following issues related to the Boeing 737 Max earlier this year.
Brad McMullen, the head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed satisfaction regarding the partnership with Japan Airlines, highlighting their decision to choose the 787 Dreamliner as part of their fleet modernization efforts.
The announcement occurs on the first day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a notable event in the aviation industry. Japan Airlines has ordered 10 Dreamliners with an option for an additional 10, while Korean Air has committed to 20 units each of the 777-9 models and the 787-10 series, with an option for 10 additional 787-10s.
This “long-standing partnership” comes in light of a previous report indicating that Japan Airlines had acquired 11 A321neo jets from Airbus, marking a shift in their aircraft acquisitions away from Boeing amid the 737 Max controversy. Similarly, reports indicated Korean Air had purchased several wide-body jets from Airbus, which some viewed as a strategic move against Boeing’s 777x, still awaiting regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed gratitude towards Korean Air for selecting Boeing’s widebody airplanes to enhance its global network. She noted the importance of Boeing aircraft in Korean Air’s operations over the past five decades and emphasized the role of the 777X and 787 Dreamliner in supporting the airline’s sustainability and growth objectives.