Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. The planemaker confirmed on Monday that it has secured orders for up to 80 planes, marking a strategic move amid competition with Airbus. This development follows a period when Airbus made inroads with these carriers, particularly after the issues surrounding Boeing’s 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed satisfaction with Japan Airlines’ choice to continue incorporating the 787 Dreamliner into its fleet modernization efforts. The announcement coincides with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aerospace industry. Japan Airlines has ordered 10 Dreamliners with an option for an additional 10, while Korean Air has committed to purchasing 20 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, also including an option for 10 more 787-10s.
This partnership is notable, especially after a report in March indicated that Japan Airlines had purchased 11 A321neo jets from Airbus, marking a shift in sourcing single-aisle planes. Airbus’s A321neo competes directly with the troubled 737 Max, which was facing production issues at the time.
Similarly, there were reports that Airbus sold several wide-body jets to Korean Air, challenging the dominance of Boeing in the airline’s fleet. In a response, Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed gratitude for Korean Air’s decision to choose Boeing’s 777X and 787 Dreamliner, highlighting their role in advancing the airline’s goals for sustainability and growth over the past five decades.