Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. On Monday, the aerospace giant reported securing orders for up to 80 planes, signaling its resilience against competitor Airbus, which had recently made inroads with these carriers.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed satisfaction with Japan Airlines’ decision to choose the 787 Dreamliner as part of its fleet modernization. The announcement coincided with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aviation industry.
Japan Airlines has committed to purchasing 10 Dreamliners, with an option for an additional 10. Meanwhile, Korean Air has placed orders for 20 777-9 models and 20 787-10 aircraft, along with the option to acquire 10 more 787-10s.
The reference to the “long-standing partnership” alludes to a report from March indicating that Japan Airlines had ordered 11 A321neo jets from Airbus, which marked a shift as it was the first single-aisle purchase from a competitor. This occurred during a turbulent period for Boeing, amid scandals related to its 737 Max and subsequent production cuts.
Additionally, around the same time, reports emerged that Airbus had sold several wide-body jets to Korean Air, which primarily operates Boeing aircraft. This move was interpreted as a slight to Boeing’s 777x, which is nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, stated her appreciation for Korean Air’s selection of their largest and most efficient widebody aircraft to enhance its global capacity. She emphasized the vital role Boeing planes have played for Korean Air over the past five decades, reinforcing the 777X and 787 Dreamliner as crucial to the airline’s sustainability and growth objectives.