Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft, securing agreements for up to 80 planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. The announcement comes in the wake of Airbus gaining traction with these carriers following issues related to Boeing’s 737 Max earlier this year.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations, expressed the company’s appreciation for its ongoing relationship with Japan Airlines, noting their decision to further modernize their fleet with the Dreamliner.
This announcement coincides with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aviation industry. Japan Airlines has ordered 10 Dreamliners with an option for an additional 10, while Korean Air has committed to 20 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, along with an option for 10 more 787-10s.
The reference to a “long-standing partnership” highlights a shift reported in March when Airbus sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking the first instance of the carrier acquiring a single-aisle aircraft from a manufacturer other than Boeing. This move came as Airbus’s A321neo competes directly with the troubled 737 Max.
Similarly, reports indicated that Airbus had also secured wide-body jet orders from Korean Air, a significant portion of whose fleet is composed of Boeing aircraft. Analysts viewed this as a potential slight against the 777x, which is nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, remarked on the significance of the orders, stating that Boeing has been a vital part of Korean Air’s operations for 50 years, and the new 777X and 787 Dreamliner will bolster the airline’s long-term sustainability and growth objectives.