Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft from Japan Airlines and Korean Air, totaling up to 80 planes. This development comes in response to recent competitive pressure from Airbus, which had previously secured orders from these airlines following Boeing’s struggles with the 737 Max issue in January.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s sales operations head, expressed appreciation for the enduring partnership with Japan Airlines, highlighting their decision to continue investing in the 787 Dreamliner as they enhance their fleet.
These announcements coincided with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aerospace industry. Japan Airlines has committed to 10 Dreamliners with an option for 10 additional units. Meanwhile, Korean Air plans to acquire twenty 777-9 models and twenty 787-10 planes, also with options for 10 more 787-10 aircraft.
This partnership is particularly noteworthy considering reports earlier this year indicating that Airbus had sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking the first instance of the airline purchasing a single-aisle aircraft from a manufacturer other than Boeing. The A321neo competes directly with the troubled 737 Max.
Similarly, Bloomberg highlighted that Airbus had secured orders for several wide-body jets from Korean Air, a significant move given the airline’s predominantly Boeing-funded fleet. This order was perceived as a challenge to the delayed 777X, which is nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, remarked on the honor of serving Korean Air, affirming that Boeing’s aircraft have been vital to the airline for the past 50 years and that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will align with the airline’s sustainability and growth objectives.