Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft from Japan Airlines and Korean Air, indicating that the company is responding robustly after facing challenges from its rival Airbus. The announcement was made on Monday amid the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aerospace industry.
Japan Airlines has ordered 10 Dreamliners with an option for an additional 10, while Korean Air has placed an order for twenty 777-9 models and twenty 787-10 aircraft, with a possibility of ordering 10 more 787-10s.
This development follows a report from March that revealed Japan Airlines had acquired 11 A321neo jets from Airbus, marking a shift as it was the first purchase of a single-aisle aircraft from a competitor. During the same timeframe, Korean Air was also reported to have added several Airbus wide-body jets to its fleet, which primarily consists of Boeing aircraft.
Boeing’s leadership expressed their appreciation for the continued partnership with both airlines. Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, emphasized the importance of the deal with Japan Airlines, highlighting their long history together. Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, praised Korean Air for selecting Boeing’s high-capacity, efficient widebody airplanes, reiterating Boeing’s long-standing role in the airline’s development and commitment to sustainability and growth.