Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. The company revealed on Monday that it has secured orders for up to 80 of these planes, reflecting a robust response after Airbus made initial inroads with these airlines following issues related to Boeing’s 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed satisfaction with the continued partnership with Japan Airlines, stating that they are pleased to see the airline re-select the 787 Dreamliner as part of their fleet modernization efforts. This announcement coincides with the first day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aviation industry.
Japan Airlines has committed to 10 Dreamliners with an option for an additional 10, while Korean Air has ordered 20 of the 777-9 models and 20 787-10 aircraft, also with the option for 10 more 787-10s.
This development is notable as it follows a March report that detailed Airbus’s sale of 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking the airline’s first acquisition of a single-aisle plane from a company other than Boeing. At that time, Airbus was also reported to have sold several wide-body jets to Korean Air, which predominantly operates Boeing aircraft.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, emphasized the importance of Boeing aircraft to Korean Air, highlighting that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will support the airline’s sustainability goals and growth ambitions moving forward.