Boeing has announced significant orders for its large aircraft, revealing on Monday that it has secured commitments for up to 80 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. These bookings signal that the U.S. manufacturer is responding actively after Airbus made inroads with these airlines in the wake of Boeing’s 737 Max issues earlier this year.
“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,” stated Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations.
The announcement coincides with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aviation industry. Japan Airlines is set to receive 10 Dreamliners with an option for 10 additional aircraft, while Korean Air has placed orders for 20 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, with a potential option for 10 more 787-10s.
The mention of a “long-standing partnership” highlights a Reuters report from March indicating that Airbus had made inroads with Japan Airlines, selling it 11 A321neo jets—marking the first occasion Japan Airlines acquired a single-aisle aircraft from a company other than Boeing. This order came amid the controversy surrounding the 737 Max and significant production delays.
Additionally, Bloomberg noted that Airbus had sold several wide-body jets to Korean Air, whose fleet has traditionally been dominated by Boeing aircraft. This move was perceived as a setback for Boeing, particularly in light of the delayed regulatory approval for Boeing’s 777X.
“We are honored Korean Air has selected our largest, most efficient widebody airplanes to enhance its global network,” commented Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division. She emphasized that Boeing aircraft have been pivotal to Korean Air for the past 50 years, affirming that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will support the airline’s long-term sustainability and growth objectives.