Boeing has recently announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle planes. The company revealed on Monday that it has secured orders for up to 80 aircraft from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This development comes after Airbus had made inroads with these carriers during the fallout from the Boeing 737 Max incident in January, indicating that Boeing is actively countering that competition.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed appreciation for the ongoing partnership with Japan Airlines, highlighting that the airline has chosen the 787 Dreamliner to modernize its fleet.
This announcement coincides with the inaugural day of the Farnborough International Airshow, one of the industry’s largest trade events. Japan Airlines has placed an order for 10 Dreamliners, with an option for an additional 10. Meanwhile, Korean Air has ordered twenty 777-9 models and twenty 787-10 planes, also with an option for 10 more 787-10s.
The mention of a “long-standing partnership” with Japan Airlines recalls a report from March in which Airbus sold 11 A321neo jets to the airline, marking the first time it procured a single-aisle aircraft from a manufacturer other than Boeing. This occurred during a period of turmoil for Boeing due to the 737 Max scandal and a subsequent production slowdown.
Additionally, reports suggested that Airbus had also secured orders for wide-body jets from Korean Air, which predominantly operates Boeing aircraft. This development was interpreted as a challenge to the 777X, which is still nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, commented on the orders from Korean Air, asserting the company’s commitment to supporting the airline’s long-term goals for sustainability and growth with its latest aircraft models.