Boeing has announced significant new orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. The planemaker revealed on Monday that it secured orders for up to 80 aircraft, indicating that it is responding strategically after facing competition from Airbus during the fallout from the Boeing 737 Max incident earlier this year.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s sales operations leader, expressed appreciation for Japan Airlines’ continued partnership, highlighting their decision to choose the 787 Dreamliner as part of their fleet modernization efforts. This announcement coincides with the first day of the Farnborough International Airshow, an important event in the aviation industry.
Japan Airlines has committed to purchasing 10 Dreamliners with an option for an additional 10, while Korean Air has ordered 20 of the 777-9 models and 20 787-10 aircraft, with an option for an extra 10 787-10s.
This partnership comes after a March report indicating that Airbus sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking the first time the airline opted for a single-aisle plane from a manufacturer other than Boeing. The A321neo competes with the 737 Max, which was grappling with significant challenges and production issues at that time.
Additionally, there were reports of Airbus securing several wide-body jet orders from Korean Air, which has predominantly operated Boeing aircraft. This trend raised questions about the future of the 777x, which is nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed gratitude for Korean Air’s selection of their widebody airplanes, asserting that Boeing aircraft have been vital to Korean Air for the past 50 years. The 777X and 787 Dreamliner, she noted, will play a central role in supporting the airline’s sustainability and growth objectives.