Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft. On Monday, the company revealed that it secured orders for up to 80 planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This development follows a period in which Boeing faced competition from Airbus, particularly after the January incident involving the 737 Max door plug.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations, expressed the company’s appreciation for its partnership with Japan Airlines, stating that they are pleased with the airline’s selection of the 787 Dreamliner to modernize its fleet.
These announcements coincide with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a prominent industry event. Japan Airlines has committed to 10 Dreamliners, with an option for an additional 10, while Korean Air has ordered 20 models of both the 777-9 and 787-10, with an option for 10 more 787-10s.
The reference to a “long-standing partnership” highlights a recent trend in which Airbus sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking the first time the airline purchased a single-aisle plane from a manufacturer other than Boeing. At that time, the A321neo was vying with the 737 Max, which was embroiled in controversy and facing production issues.
Similarly, reports indicated that Airbus had sold several wide-body jets to Korean Air as the airline primarily operates Boeing aircraft. This acquisition was reportedly perceived as a rebuff to the 777x, which is nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, who heads Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, stated that the selection of Boeing’s aircraft by Korean Air furthers the airline’s goals for sustainability and growth, emphasizing the integral role Boeing planes have played in the airline’s operations over the past 50 years.