Boeing has announced a significant deal for its large aircraft, securing orders for up to 80 of its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This move comes after Airbus made inroads with these carriers following the January incident involving the Boeing 737 Max door plug, indicating Boeing’s response to increasing competition.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed gratitude for the ongoing collaboration with Japan Airlines, highlighting their decision to choose the 787 Dreamliner as a key part of their fleet modernization efforts.
This announcement coincides with the commencement of the Farnborough International Airshow, a prominent event in the aviation industry. Japan Airlines ordered 10 Dreamliners with an option for an additional 10, while Korean Air placed orders for 20 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, also reserving the option for 10 more 787-10s.
The reference to Boeing’s “long-standing partnership” with Japan Airlines is notable, especially following reports in March that Airbus had sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking a departure for the airline, which had previously relied entirely on Boeing for single-aisle planes. The A321neo competes directly with the 737 Max, which was mired in controversy and experiencing production challenges at that time.
Similarly, reports indicated that Airbus had sold several wide-body jets to Korean Air, which historically boasts a Boeing-dominated fleet. This was interpreted as a setback for the 777X, which is nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed appreciation for Korean Air’s choice of Boeing’s most efficient widebody aircraft to enhance its global network capacity. She noted the essential role Boeing planes have played in Korean Air’s operations over the past 50 years, emphasizing that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will support the airline’s sustainability and growth objectives moving forward.