Boeing has announced significant orders for some of its largest aircraft, revealing on Monday that it has secured requests for up to 80 of its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle jets from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This development comes after Airbus made inroads with these carriers following concerns over Boeing’s 737 Max issues earlier this year. The new bookings indicate that Boeing is responding proactively to the competitive pressures from its French rival.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed appreciation for the long-standing relationship with Japan Airlines, stating, “We value our long-standing partnership with Japan Airlines and are pleased that they have re-selected the 787 Dreamliner as they continue to modernize their world-class fleet.”
This announcement coincides with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a prominent event in the aviation industry calendar. Japan Airlines has placed an order for ten Dreamliners, with the option to acquire ten additional aircraft. Meanwhile, Korean Air has committed to purchasing twenty 777-9 models and twenty 787-10 planes, also with the option for ten more 787-10s.
The mention of a “long-standing partnership” brings to mind a report from Reuters in March, which indicated that Japan Airlines had ordered eleven A321neo jets from Airbus—signifying their first purchase of a single-aisle aircraft from a manufacturer other than Boeing. This occurred while the 737 Max was grappling with ongoing issues and production declines.
At the same time, Bloomberg reported that Airbus had secured orders for several wide-body jets from Korean Air, which predominantly operates Boeing aircraft. This move was viewed as a potential slight against Boeing’s 777X, which is nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, remarked, “We are honored Korean Air has selected our largest, most efficient widebody airplanes to add capacity to its global network. Boeing airplanes have played an integral role with Korean Air over the past 50 years, and the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will continue to support the airline’s long-term goals for sustainability and continued growth.”