Boeing has made significant strides in securing large orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft, as announced on Monday. The aerospace giant revealed that Japan Airlines and Korean Air have placed orders for up to 80 of these planes. This news comes after Airbus gained ground with these carriers following challenges faced by Boeing related to the 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed satisfaction with Japan Airlines’ decision to continue its partnership with Boeing, highlighting the airline’s choice to modernize its fleet with the 787 Dreamliner.
These developments were unveiled on the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, an important event in the aviation industry. Japan Airlines has ordered 10 Dreamliners, with an option for an additional 10, while Korean Air has ordered twenty 777-9 models and twenty 787-10 planes, also with an option for 10 more 787-10s.
This partnership comes in the wake of past reports indicating that Airbus had sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking the first acquisition of a single-aisle plane from a manufacturer other than Boeing. Meanwhile, Korean Air’s recent orders included several wide-body jets from Airbus, signaling a potential shift in allegiance as Boeing’s 777X model seeks regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed gratitude for Korean Air’s selection of Boeing’s aircraft, emphasizing the long-standing relationship between the two companies and the alignment of the new models with the airline’s sustainability and growth objectives.