Boeing has announced significant orders for its major aircraft models, securing commitments for up to 80 of its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This announcement comes in the wake of increased competition from Airbus, which had gained traction with these airlines following issues related to Boeing’s 737 Max earlier this year.
Brad McMullen, the head of sales operations at Boeing, expressed appreciation for the continuing partnership with Japan Airlines, noting their decision to choose the 787 Dreamliner as they update their fleet.
This development occurs on the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event for the aviation industry. Japan Airlines is set to acquire 10 Dreamliners with an option for an additional 10, while Korean Air has ordered 20 777-9 jets and 20 787-10 aircraft, also with the option for 10 more 787-10s.
The mention of a “long-standing partnership” harks back to reports indicating that Airbus sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines in March, marking the airline’s first purchase of a single-aisle plane from Airbus rather than Boeing. This was particularly notable during a difficult period for Boeing caused by the scandal surrounding the 737 Max and subsequent production slowdowns.
Bloomberg also reported that Airbus had secured wide-body jet orders from Korean Air, which predominantly operates Boeing aircraft. This order was perceived as a slight against Boeing’s 777x model, which is still nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, the head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed gratitude towards Korean Air for choosing Boeing’s largest and most efficient wide-body planes, as they aim to enhance their global network capacity. She highlighted the longstanding role of Boeing aircraft in Korean Air’s operations over the past five decades, reinforcing that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner align with the airline’s sustainability and growth objectives.