Boeing recently announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. The aircraft manufacturer reported on Monday that it has secured orders for up to 80 planes from these two carriers. This comes after Airbus gained some traction with these airlines amid the fallout from the issues surrounding Boeing’s 737 Max earlier this year.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s sales operations leader, expressed appreciation for the longstanding partnership with Japan Airlines, highlighting their decision to continue utilizing the 787 Dreamliner as they enhance their fleet.
These announcements coincide with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a prominent event in the aviation industry. Japan Airlines has ordered 10 Dreamliners with an option for 10 additional aircraft, while Korean Air has placed an order for 20 777-9 planes and 20 787-10 models, also with an option for 10 more 787-10s.
This new partnership comes on the heels of reports that Airbus managed to sell 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, representing the first instance of the airline acquiring a single-aisle jet from a competitor. The A321neo competes directly with the delayed 737 Max. Similarly, there were reports of Airbus securing wide-body jet orders from Korean Air, which traditionally has a Boeing-dominant fleet.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, stated their honor at Korean Air selecting Boeing’s most efficient widebody aircraft, reinforcing the manufacturer’s commitment to supporting the airline’s sustainability and growth objectives.