Boeing has recently announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. The planemaker revealed on Monday that it secured orders for up to 80 planes, signaling a proactive response following Airbus’s previous incursions into the market during the ongoing fallout from the Boeing 737 Max crisis.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations, expressed appreciation for the long-term partnership with Japan Airlines, noting their decision to re-select the 787 Dreamliner as they modernize their fleet.
This announcement coincides with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a significant industry trade event. Japan Airlines has ordered 10 Dreamliners with an option for 10 more, while Korean Air has placed an order for 20 777-9 models and 20 787-10 aircraft, including an option for an additional 10 787-10s.
The mention of a “long-standing partnership” recalls a recent Reuters report indicating that Airbus sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking the first instance of the airline purchasing a single-aisle plane from a manufacturer other than Boeing. This was during a challenging period for Boeing, which faced production issues and a major scandal regarding the 737 Max.
Similarly, a Bloomberg report highlighted that Airbus had secured several orders for wide-body jets from Korean Air, which primarily operates Boeing aircraft. This move was interpreted as a challenge to Boeing’s 777X model, which is nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, remarked on Korean Air’s selection of Boeing’s largest and most efficient widebody airplanes, emphasizing the role of Boeing in the airline’s operations for nearly 50 years. She noted that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will continue to align with Korean Air’s sustainability and growth objectives.