Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft, securing requests for up to 80 planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This move comes after Airbus made inroads with both airlines following issues related to Boeing’s 737 Max earlier this year. The orders indicate that Boeing is actively responding to competition.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations, expressed appreciation for Japan Airlines’ continued trust, highlighting their long-standing partnership and the airline’s investment in modernizing its fleet.
The announcement coincides with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aviation industry. Japan Airlines is set to acquire 10 Dreamliners with an option for an additional 10, while Korean Air has ordered 20 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, along with an option for 10 more 787-10s.
This partnership comes in the wake of recent reports indicating that Airbus had made its first sale of single-aisle A321neo jets to Japan Airlines in March, amid a turbulent period for Boeing. Additionally, Korean Air reportedly purchased several wide-body jets from Airbus, marking a departure from its predominantly Boeing fleet and potentially signaling a challenge for the 777x model, which is nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, welcomed the orders from Korean Air, emphasizing the crucial role Boeing aircraft have played in the airline’s operations over the past five decades and reinforcing their commitment to sustainable growth.