Boeing has recently announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft. The company revealed on Monday that Japan Airlines and Korean Air have secured orders for up to 80 planes. This development follows a period when rival Airbus had made inroads with these airlines during the aftermath of issues Boeing faced with its 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s sales operations head, emphasized the importance of the relationship with Japan Airlines, expressing satisfaction that they have chosen the 787 Dreamliner as they upgrade their fleet.
This announcement coincides with the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aviation industry calendar. Japan Airlines will take delivery of 10 Dreamliners with an option for an additional 10, while Korean Air has ordered twenty 777-9 models and twenty 787-10 planes, also with an option for 10 more 787-10s.
The mention of a “long-standing partnership” highlights a previous report from March, which noted that Airbus had sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines—marking their first purchase of a single-aisle jet from anyone other than Boeing. The A321neo competes directly with the 737 Max, amid ongoing challenges for Boeing.
Similarly, reports indicated that Airbus had also sold wide-body jets to Korean Air, which primarily operates Boeing aircraft. This move was interpreted as a setback for Boeing, particularly concerning the 777x model, which is nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed gratitude that Korean Air has chosen Boeing’s widebody aircraft to enhance its global network capacity. She acknowledged the long-standing partnership between Korean Air and Boeing, stating that their models will continue to support the airline’s sustainability and growth objectives.