Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft, securing commitments for up to 80 planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This development comes as a response to recent gains made by rival Airbus, which had previously won orders from these airlines following challenges faced by Boeing related to the 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed his satisfaction with Japan Airlines’ decision to continue its partnership with Boeing by selecting the 787 Dreamliner as part of its fleet modernization efforts.
The announcement coincides with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aviation industry. Japan Airlines has placed an order for 10 Dreamliners, with an option for an additional 10. Meanwhile, Korean Air has ordered 20 of the 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, also with the option for 10 more 787-10s.
This renewed interest from Japanese and Korean carriers is notable, especially considering earlier reports indicating that Airbus had sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking the airline’s first purchase of a single-aisle plane from a manufacturer other than Boeing. Similarly, reports suggested that Airbus had secured multiple wide-body aircraft orders from Korean Air, which primarily operates Boeing planes, potentially signaling a shift in the carrier’s fleet strategy.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, remarked on the importance of the partnership with Korean Air, highlighting that Boeing has been integral to the airline’s operations for the past 50 years. She emphasized that the new 777X and 787 Dreamliner models align with Korean Air’s objectives for sustainability and growth.