Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft, securing commitments for up to 80 planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This announcement comes as a response to recent moves by Airbus to capture market share from these airlines following issues Boeing faced with its 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed gratitude towards Japan Airlines for choosing the 787 Dreamliner in their ongoing fleet modernization efforts. He emphasized the value of the long-standing partnership between the two companies.
The announcement was made on the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a major global aviation event. Japan Airlines has committed to acquiring 10 Dreamliners with the option to purchase 10 more. Meanwhile, Korean Air has placed orders for twenty 777-9 planes and twenty 787-10s, with an option for an additional 10 787-10s.
This partnership highlights a significant shift, especially after reports revealed that Airbus sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines earlier this year, marking the first time they bought a single-aisle aircraft from any manufacturer other than Boeing. These A321neo jets compete directly with the 737 Max, which was embroiled in controversy during that period.
Similarly, there were reports of Airbus selling wide-body jets to Korean Air, traditionally a solid Boeing customer, with this order seemingly signaling a setback for Boeing’s 777x model, which is still awaiting regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed her honor in Korean Air choosing Boeing’s largest and most efficient wide-body aircraft. She emphasized that both the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will play a crucial role in supporting Korean Air’s long-term sustainability and expansion goals.