Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. On Monday, the manufacturer revealed agreements for up to 80 planes, marking a strategic response following recent competition from Airbus, which had gained traction in the market after Boeing’s 737 Max issues earlier this year.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations, expressed satisfaction with Japan Airlines’ continued commitment to the Dreamliner, highlighting the airline’s fleet modernization efforts. The announcement was made at the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aviation industry.
Japan Airlines has committed to acquiring 10 Dreamliners, with an option for an additional 10. Meanwhile, Korean Air is set to acquire 20 units of the 777-9 model and 20 of the 787-10, with a potential option for 10 more 787-10s.
The references to long-standing partnerships underscore Boeing’s historical ties with these carriers, especially in the light of earlier reports indicating that Airbus had secured orders from both Japan Airlines and Korean Air, suggesting a shift in purchasing patterns while Boeing faced setbacks with the 737 Max.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, emphasized the significance of the new orders to Korean Air’s fleet expansion and sustainability goals, underscoring the deep-rooted relationship between Boeing and the airline over the past five decades.