Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft, securing commitments for up to 80 planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This move comes as a response to competitor Airbus, which had previously made inroads with these airlines following issues with Boeing’s 737 Max earlier this year.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations, expressed appreciation for the long-standing partnership with Japan Airlines, noting the airline’s decision to continue modernizing its fleet with the Dreamliner. Japan Airlines has committed to 10 Dreamliners, with options for an additional 10.
Korean Air has also placed substantial orders, committing to 20 units of the 777-9 model and 20 of the 787-10, with the possibility of 10 more 787-10s. This announcement coincides with the opening of the Farnborough International Airshow, a significant event in the aviation industry.
This partnership highlights a shift in dynamics as Japan Airlines recently purchased 11 A321neo jets from Airbus, marking the first time the airline bought a single-aisle aircraft from a manufacturer other than Boeing. Additionally, reports indicated that Airbus secured orders from Korean Air for several wide-body jets, indicating a potential shift as that airline typically operates a Boeing-dominated fleet.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, emphasized the importance of Boeing’s aircraft in Korean Air’s operations over the past 50 years and expressed pride in the selection of the 777X and 787 Dreamliner to support the airline’s sustainability and growth objectives.