Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft. On Monday, the company revealed it has secured agreements with Japan Airlines and Korean Air for up to 80 planes. This move follows recent competition from Airbus, which had made inroads with these airlines amidst challenges facing Boeing, particularly related to the 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations, expressed appreciation for the continued partnership with Japan Airlines, highlighting their decision to choose the 787 Dreamliner for their fleet modernization.
These announcements were made during the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aerospace industry. Japan Airlines will acquire 10 Dreamliners with an option for 10 more, while Korean Air has placed an order for 20 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, along with an option for an additional 10 787-10s.
The mention of a “long-standing partnership” brings to mind a recent report in March indicating that Airbus had secured an order for 11 A321neo jets from Japan Airlines, marking the first time Japan Airlines purchased a single-aisle aircraft from a manufacturer other than Boeing. This order occurred as the 737 Max was embroiled in controversy and production issues.
Moreover, several reports around the same period suggested that Airbus had also sold wide-body jets to Korean Air, which predominantly operates Boeing aircraft. This order was seen as a slight against Boeing’s 777x model, which is nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed gratitude to Korean Air for selecting their widebody aircraft, emphasizing their historical collaboration and Boeing’s commitment to supporting the airline’s future goals in sustainability and growth.