Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft, securing commitments from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. On Monday, the manufacturer revealed it had received orders for up to 80 planes, a move that appears to counteract recent competitive moves by Airbus following issues with Boeing’s 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed appreciation for the longstanding relationship with Japan Airlines, which is set to acquire 10 Dreamliners with an option for 10 more. Meanwhile, Korean Air has ordered twenty 777-9 models and twenty 787-10 planes, also with an option for an additional 10 787-10s.
This news was unveiled on the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aviation industry. The partnerships highlight a shift, as earlier this year Japan Airlines purchased 11 A321neo jets from Airbus, marking the first time it sourced a single-aisle aircraft from a competitor. Additionally, reports indicated that Airbus had secured wide-body jet orders from Korean Air, traditionally a Boeing customer, which may have been seen as a slight against the yet-to-be-fully-approved 777X model.
Stephanie Pope, leading Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed gratitude for Korean Air’s continued trust in Boeing’s aircraft, emphasizing the critical role these planes have played in the airline’s operations over the past five decades. She noted that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will aid in Korean Air’s sustainability efforts and its future expansion plans.