Boeing has recently announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft, securing agreements for up to 80 planes with Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This announcement comes as a response to Airbus’s previous competition for these carriers following Boeing’s challenges related to the 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed appreciation for their ongoing relationship with Japan Airlines and highlighted the airline’s decision to continue modernizing its fleet with the Dreamliner.
The announcement coincides with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a major event for the aviation industry. Japan Airlines is set to take 10 Dreamliners with an option for 10 additional units, while Korean Air has ordered twenty 777-9 family aircraft and twenty 787-10s, along with an option for 10 more 787-10s.
This order underscores the significance of partnerships in the industry, especially after a recent Reuters report indicated that Japan Airlines had purchased 11 A321neo jets from Airbus, marking the first time it sourced a single-aisle aircraft from a rival manufacturer. Similarly, Bloomberg reported sales of several Airbus wide-body jets to Korean Air, highlighting a shift as the airline’s fleet has predominantly featured Boeing aircraft.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed honor in Korean Air’s selection of Boeing’s newest models, emphasizing the long-standing role of Boeing planes in the airline’s operations and their alignment with Korean Air’s sustainability and growth objectives.