Boeing has secured significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle planes, amounting to as many as 80 aircraft, from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This announcement was made on Monday, signaling that Boeing is actively responding to competition from Airbus, which had captured market share during the earlier challenges faced by Boeing’s 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations, expressed gratitude for the ongoing partnership with Japan Airlines, which has opted for 10 Dreamliners with the possibility of acquiring 10 additional units. Meanwhile, Korean Air has ordered 20 units of the 777-9 along with 20 of the 787-10 models and holds the option for 10 more of the latter.
The announcement coincides with the opening of the Farnborough International Airshow, a prominent event in the aerospace industry. Previously, Japan Airlines purchased 11 A321neo jets from Airbus—a notable shift as it was the first time the airline opted for a single-aisle aircraft from a competitor of Boeing. This development occurred during a tumultuous period for Boeing, characterized by challenges surrounding the 737 Max.
Additionally, Korean Air also made headlines earlier by acquiring wide-body jets from Airbus, which was viewed by some as a slight against Boeing’s 777x, still in the process of receiving regulatory approvals.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, welcomed Korean Air’s decision to choose Boeing’s largest and most efficient wide-body jets, emphasizing Boeing’s long-standing relationship with the airline and its commitment to supporting Korean Air’s sustainability and growth objectives over the years.