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 development comes after Airbus made gains with these carriers following issues related to Boeing’s 737 Max early this year.
Brad McMullen, the head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed appreciation for the company’s partnership with Japan Airlines, which has opted for 10 Dreamliners and has the option for 10 additional units. Korean Air has placed an order for 20 of the 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, with the possibility of acquiring 10 more 787-10s.
The timing of this announcement coincides with the Farnborough International Airshow, a prominent trade event for the aviation industry. The mention of a “long-standing partnership” is noteworthy in light of earlier reports highlighting Japan Airlines’ purchase of 11 Airbus A321neo jets, marking its first acquisition of a single-aisle aircraft from a manufacturer other than Boeing. This acquisition occurred during significant challenges for the 737 Max and a slowdown in production.
Additionally, reports indicated that Airbus had sold a number of wide-body jets to Korean Air, traditionally a Boeing fleet customer, suggesting that these orders were a response to the delays in the 777x, which is still nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed gratitude to Korean Air for choosing Boeing’s most efficient widebody aircraft, stating that these models will aid in fulfilling the airline’s sustainability and growth objectives in the long run.