Boeing has announced a significant order for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft, securing commitments from Japan Airlines and Korean Air for up to 80 planes. This announcement, made on Monday, indicates that Boeing is responding proactively after its French competitor Airbus made inroads with these airlines following the issues faced by Boeing’s 737 Max earlier this year.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s sales operations chief, expressed appreciation for the ongoing partnership with Japan Airlines, noting their decision to continue investing in the 787 Dreamliner as they modernize their fleet.
This announcement coincides with the start of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aviation industry. Japan Airlines has ordered 10 Dreamliners with an option for an additional 10, while Korean Air has ordered 20 of the 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, with an option for 10 more 787-10s.
The reference to a “long-standing partnership” highlights a recent development where Japan Airlines purchased 11 A321neo jets from Airbus, marking its first acquisition of a single-aisle aircraft from a manufacturer other than Boeing. This order came during a period when Boeing was grappling with the fallout from the 737 Max scandal and a production slowdown.
Similarly, there were reports that Airbus had also sold several wide-body jets to Korean Air, a company predominantly operating a Boeing fleet, which was seen as a potential rebuff to Boeing’s 777x model that is nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, stated her honor in Korean Air’s selection of Boeing’s advanced widebody aircraft, emphasizing the historical relationship between the two companies over the past 50 years. She noted that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will play an important role in helping Korean Air achieve its sustainability and growth objectives.