Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 aircraft, securing commitments for up to 80 planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This development indicates that Boeing is responding proactively after facing competition from Airbus, which recently made inroads with these carriers following issues related to the 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s sales operations head, stated, “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.”
The announcement coincided with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aviation industry. Japan Airlines has placed an order for 10 Dreamliners with an option for 10 additional units. Korean Air has ordered twenty 777-9 models and twenty 787-10 planes, with the option to add 10 more 787-10s.
This renewed commitment by Japan Airlines is notable, particularly in light of a previous report from March that highlighted Airbus selling 11 A321neo jets to the airline, marking its first acquisition of a single-aisle aircraft from a manufacturer other than Boeing. At that time, the A321neo was competing against the troubled 737 Max, which was embroiled in a major scandal.
Additionally, reports indicated that Airbus had also made sales of wide-body jets to Korean Air, which primarily operates Boeing aircraft. Analysts suggested this order was a strategic move away from Boeing’s 777x, which is still seeking regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed gratitude for Korean Air’s choice of Boeing’s efficient wide-body models, emphasizing the significant role Boeing aircraft have played for the airline over the past five decades. She noted that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner would align with Korean Air’s objectives for sustainability and growth.