Boeing recently announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle planes, securing agreements for up to 80 aircraft from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This move comes as a response to rival Airbus, which had previously captured market share from these carriers following issues with Boeing’s 737 Max in January.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s sales operations head, expressed satisfaction with Japan Airlines’ decision to order 10 Dreamliners, which includes an option for 10 additional units. Korean Air placed an order for twenty 777-9 models and twenty 787-10 planes, also including an option for 10 more 787-10s.
This announcement coincides with the opening of the Farnborough International Airshow, a prominent industry event. The order from Japan Airlines highlights the shifting dynamics in the market, particularly following a report in March that noted Airbus’ sale of 11 A321neo jets to the airline. This represented a significant purchase of a single-aisle airplane from a manufacturer other than Boeing, marking a notable change as the A321neo competes with the troubled 737 Max.
Similarly, Korean Air’s order of several wide-body jets from Airbus was seen as a potential slight to Boeing’s 777x, which is nearing regulatory approval. Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, commented on the significance of the partnership with Korean Air, stating that Boeing’s aircraft have been integral to the airline’s operations for 50 years, and the new orders will align with their goals for sustainability and growth.