Boeing has announced substantial orders for its flagship planes, securing commitments for up to 80 of its 787 Dreamliner and 777 models from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This announcement comes as a response to French competitor Airbus, which had made significant inroads with these airlines following the Boeing 737 Max issue earlier this year.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations, emphasized the importance of the partnership with Japan Airlines, expressing satisfaction that they have chosen to continue with the 787 Dreamliner as part of their fleet modernization efforts.
The announcement occurred on the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a significant event for the aviation industry. Japan Airlines will receive 10 Dreamliners, with an option for an additional 10. Meanwhile, Korean Air plans to order twenty 777-9 models and twenty 787-10 planes, also with an option for 10 more 787-10s.
This move underscores Boeing’s resolve, especially after reports indicated that Japan Airlines had previously purchased 11 A321neo jets from Airbus—marking their first acquisition of a single-aisle aircraft from a competitor. Similarly, Korean Air also placed orders with Airbus, leading to speculations regarding a deliberate snub of Boeing’s 777x model, which is only now nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed her gratitude towards Korean Air for selecting Boeing’s latest widebody aircraft to enhance their operational capacity. She highlighted the long-standing relationship between Boeing and Korean Air, mentioning that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will significantly contribute to the airline’s sustainability and growth objectives in the future.