Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. On Monday, the company revealed that it has secured orders for up to 80 airplanes, signaling its resilience in the market after facing competition from Airbus, which had made inroads with these carriers earlier this year.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed appreciation for the partnership with Japan Airlines, highlighting their decision to continue utilizing the 787 Dreamliner as they modernize their fleet. This announcement coincides with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aviation industry.
Japan Airlines has committed to purchasing 10 Dreamliners, with an option for an additional 10. Meanwhile, Korean Air has placed orders for 20 units of the 777-9 model and 20 of the 787-10 model, also with the option for 10 more 787-10s.
The term “long-standing partnership” recalls a March report from Reuters stating that Japan Airlines had acquired 11 A321neo jets from Airbus, marking the first purchase of a single-aisle aircraft from a competitor. The A321neo is a direct rival to the 737 Max, which was mired in controversy and production issues at that time.
Further, Bloomberg highlighted that Airbus had made several sales of wide-body jets to Korean Air, a notable shift for an airline that primarily operates Boeing aircraft. This sale was interpreted as a rejection of the 777X, which is finally nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, remarked on the importance of the latest orders for Korean Air, emphasizing that Boeing aircraft have been vital to the airline’s operations over the past five decades. She also noted that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will enhance the airline’s sustainability initiatives and growth strategies moving forward.