Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. On Monday, the company revealed it had secured orders for up to 80 planes, marking a robust response to recent competitive pressures from Airbus, which had made inroads with these airlines during the aftermath of the Boeing 737 Max door plug issue earlier this year.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s sales operations head, expressed appreciation for Japan Airlines’ ongoing partnership, stating they are delighted the airline has chosen to continue modernizing its fleet with the Dreamliner.
These announcements were made at the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aviation industry. Japan Airlines is set to receive 10 Dreamliners with options for 10 additional aircraft, while Korean Air has confirmed orders for 20 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, with an option for 10 more 787-10s.
This announcement juxtaposes with previous reports indicating Airbus had sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking a historical shift as it marked the airline’s first purchase of a single-aisle aircraft from any manufacturer other than Boeing. The A321neo competes directly with the 737 Max, which has faced ongoing challenges and production delays.
Similarly, reports highlighted Airbus selling several wide-body jets to Korean Air, which predominantly operates Boeing aircraft. This order was perceived as a notable deviation from the airline’s usual fleet choices, coinciding with the 777X’s ongoing path to regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed honor at Korean Air’s selection of their largest and most efficient airplanes, emphasizing the longstanding relationship between Boeing and Korean Air over the past five decades. The 777X and 787 Dreamliner are positioned to support the airline’s sustainability objectives and future growth plans.