Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. The planemaker revealed on Monday that it secured commitments for up to 80 planes, a move that indicates it is actively countering recent gains made by its rival Airbus.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed appreciation for the long-standing relationship with Japan Airlines, highlighting their decision to select the 787 Dreamliner as they update their fleet. This announcement comes on the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aviation sector.
Japan Airlines has placed an order for 10 Dreamliners, with an option for an additional 10. Meanwhile, Korean Air has committed to 20 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, also with an option for 10 more 787-10s.
This recent partnership underscores a shift noted earlier in the year, where Airbus successfully sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines—a first for them from a competitor. Additionally, reports indicated that Korean Air, primarily a Boeing customer, was moving towards acquiring Airbus wide-body jets, signaling a potential challenge to Boeing’s dominance in that market.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplane division, emphasized the honor of Korean Air choosing Boeing’s efficient widebody aircraft to enhance its global operations. She noted the historical role Boeing has played in Korean Air’s fleet over the past 50 years and reaffirmed the importance of the 777X and 787 Dreamliner in supporting the airline’s sustainability and growth objectives.