Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft, securing commitments from Japan Airlines and Korean Air for up to 80 planes. The U.S. manufacturer emphasized that it is not conceding ground following earlier orders placed by these carriers with rival Airbus after issues with the 737 Max earlier this year.
Boeing’s sales operations head, Brad McMullen, expressed satisfaction regarding Japan Airlines’ decision to include the 787 Dreamliner in their fleet modernization efforts. Japan Airlines has committed to acquiring 10 Dreamliners with an option for an additional 10, while Korean Air has ordered 20 units each of the 777-9 and 787-10 models, also with an option for 10 more 787-10s.
This announcement was made on the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow. The recent deals highlight a shift in purchasing trends; just months ago, Japan Airlines had made its first purchase of single-aisle A321neo jets from Airbus, which directly competes with Boeing’s 737 Max model amid ongoing issues for Boeing.
Korean Air, on the other hand, has historically maintained a Boeing-dominated fleet, with recent reports indicating that they had also turned to Airbus for wide-body jets. The decisions by both airlines to place hefty orders with Boeing signify a continuation of their long-standing partnerships, with Boeing’s Stephanie Pope stating that the new models will enhance Korean Air’s sustainability and growth objectives.