Boeing has announced significant aircraft orders from Japan Airlines and Korean Air for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 models. The manufacturer revealed on Monday that it secured commitments for up to 80 planes, indicating a strong response to recent competition from Airbus, which had gained an advantage during the fallout from the Boeing 737 Max incident.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations, expressed appreciation for the company’s ongoing partnership with Japan Airlines, highlighting their choice of the 787 Dreamliner as part of their fleet modernization efforts.
This announcement coincides with the beginning of the Farnborough International Airshow, an essential event in the aviation calendar. Japan Airlines has committed to 10 Dreamliners, with an option for an additional 10. Meanwhile, Korean Air has ordered twenty 777-9 planes and twenty 787-10s, also with the possibility of purchasing 10 more 787-10s.
The reference to a “long-standing partnership” comes in light of recent reports that Airbus sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking a notable moment as it was their first purchase of a single-aisle aircraft from a manufacturer other than Boeing. This shift occurred amidst ongoing issues surrounding the 737 Max, contributing to a significant reduction in Boeing’s production rates.
Similarly, reports indicated that Airbus had sold several wide-body jets to Korean Air, which historically has a fleet primarily consisting of Boeing aircraft. This order was interpreted as a setback for the 777X, which is approaching regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed gratitude to Korean Air for selecting Boeing’s latest widebody models, emphasizing their longstanding relationship and commitment to supporting the airline’s sustainability goals and growth.