Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft, securing agreements for up to 80 planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This announcement was made on Monday amidst the Farnborough International Airshow, a major industry event, highlighting Boeing’s resilience following challenges earlier this year with its 737 Max model.
Japan Airlines has ordered 10 Dreamliners with options for an additional 10, while Korean Air has placed orders for 20 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, also with an option for 10 more 787-10s.
Boeing’s head of sales operations, Brad McMullen, expressed satisfaction with Japan Airlines’ decision to continue modernizing its fleet with the Dreamliner, underscoring the strong partnership between the two companies.
The orders come in the wake of a Reuters report in March that indicated Airbus had sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking a notable shift as it was the first single-aisle purchase from a non-Boeing manufacturer. At the same time, Bloomberg reported Airbus selling wide-body jets to Korean Air, indicating a competitive climate as these airlines diversify their fleets amid Boeing’s production challenges.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, emphasized the significance of the new orders, stating that Boeing aircraft have been pivotal for Korean Air over the past five decades and that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will contribute to the airline’s long-term objectives for sustainability and growth.