Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This development, revealed on Monday, indicates that Boeing is responding to challenges faced from its French competitor, Airbus, which previously made inroads with these carriers after issues arose with Boeing’s 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed satisfaction regarding Japan Airlines’ choice to order 10 Dreamliners with an option for an additional 10. Korean Air has ordered twenty 777-9 models and twenty 787-10 planes, along with the option for 10 more of the latter.
This announcement coincides with the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event for the aviation industry. The partnerships are particularly notable given that earlier this year, Airbus secured its first single-aisle order from Japan Airlines by selling 11 A321neo jets, marking a shift in their purchasing patterns amid ongoing challenges for Boeing.
Moreover, Airbus reportedly sold several wide-body jets to Korean Air, highlighting another hurdle for Boeing, as the airline’s fleet has traditionally been dominated by Boeing aircraft. Stephanie Pope, leading Boeing’s commercial aircraft division, acknowledged the significance of these new orders, stating that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will support Korean Air’s sustainability objectives and growth plans.