Boeing has secured significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft from Japan Airlines and Korean Air, as announced on Monday. The manufacturer confirmed orders for up to 80 planes, a move that highlights its resilience following a challenging period marked by competition from Airbus after Boeing’s 737 Max faced issues earlier this year.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s sales operations head, expressed satisfaction with Japan Airlines’ decision to continue its long-standing collaboration and choose the 787 Dreamliner for its fleet modernization efforts. Japan Airlines will receive ten Dreamliners, with an option to acquire ten additional units.
At the same time, Korean Air has ordered twenty 777-9 models and twenty 787-10 planes, along with an option for ten more 787-10s. This news aligns with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a significant event in the aviation industry.
This announcement references a prior report indicating that Airbus had sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking a notable shift as it was the first purchase of a single-aisle plane from a manufacturer other than Boeing. The A321neo competes directly with the 737 Max amidst ongoing challenges for Boeing.
Additionally, there were reports that Airbus sold several wide-body jets to Korean Air, which primarily operates Boeing planes. This was viewed as a potential setback for Boeing, especially for the 777x, which is nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed gratitude towards Korean Air for their selection of Boeing’s largest, most efficient widebody aircraft. She emphasized the integral role of Boeing airplanes in Korean Air’s operations over the past 50 years, stating that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will be essential for the airline’s sustainability and growth objectives moving forward.