Boeing has announced significant new orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft, securing agreements with Japan Airlines and Korean Air. The announcement was made on Monday, showcasing Boeing’s resilience after competitors like Airbus made gains during the aftermath of the January incident involving the 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, the head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed confidence in the partnership 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.”
This news coincides with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aviation industry. Japan Airlines is set to acquire 10 Dreamliners with an option for 10 additional units, while Korean Air has ordered twenty 777-9 models and twenty 787-10 jets, also with options for 10 more 787-10s.
The mention of the “long-standing partnership” brings to mind a March report by Reuters, which revealed that Airbus sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking the carrier’s first single-aisle purchase from a company other than Boeing. At that time, the A321neo was directly competing with the troubled 737 Max amid ongoing issues and a production slowdown.
Similarly, Bloomberg reported that Airbus made sales of several wide-body jets to Korean Air while most of its fleet consists of Boeing aircraft. This acquisition was interpreted as a potential snub to the 777x, which is only now nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, who heads Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed gratitude toward Korean Air, saying, “We are honored Korean Air has selected our largest, most efficient widebody airplanes to add capacity to its global network. Boeing airplanes have played an integral role with Korean Air over the past 50 years, and the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will continue to support the airline’s long-term goals for sustainability and continued growth.”