Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. The company revealed on Monday that it has secured orders for up to 80 of these planes, indicating a strong response to competitive pressure from Airbus, which had previously made inroads with these airlines following challenges related to Boeing’s 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed appreciation for the ongoing relationship with Japan Airlines, noting their commitment to modernizing their fleet with the 787 Dreamliner. Japan Airlines has placed an order for 10 Dreamliners with an option for an additional 10.
Korean Air has also made significant orders, requesting 20 of the 777-9 models and 20 787-10 aircraft, with the option for 10 more of the latter. These announcements come as the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aerospace industry, kicks off.
This situation highlights Boeing’s efforts to regain ground after Airbus secured orders from both Japanese and Korean airlines, including a notable transaction in March when Japan Airlines ordered 11 A321neo jets, marking a departure from its exclusive partnership with Boeing for single-aisle planes.
In acknowledgment of Korean Air’s order, Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, emphasized the long-standing collaboration between the two companies, stating that the new aircraft would support Korean Air’s goals for sustainability and growth.