Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. The company revealed on Monday that it has secured commitments for up to 80 planes, highlighting its ongoing competition with Airbus after the latter made inroads with these carriers during the fallout from the Boeing 737 Max issue earlier this year.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations, expressed appreciation for the longstanding relationship with Japan Airlines, noting their decision to select the 787 Dreamliner as they modernize their fleet. The announcement coincides with the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event for the aviation industry. Japan Airlines has ordered 10 Dreamliners with an option for 10 more, while Korean Air has committed to 20 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, with the option for an additional 10 787-10s.
This partnership signals a recovery for Boeing, particularly in light of a March report indicating that Japan Airlines had purchased 11 A321neo jets from Airbus, marking its first single-aisle acquisition from a competitor. Reports at the same time noted that Airbus had sold several wide-body jets to Korean Air, historically a Boeing customer, which was seen as a potential slight to Boeing’s new 777x model that is nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, emphasized the honor of having Korean Air select its largest and most efficient widebody aircraft to enhance its global network capacity. She highlighted the integral role Boeing aircraft have played in Korean Air’s operations for the past 50 years, asserting that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will continue to support the airline’s sustainability and growth objectives.