Boeing has announced significant new orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. The planemaker revealed on Monday that it has secured commitments for up to 80 planes, signaling a strong recovery after rival Airbus made gains during the aftermath of a crisis concerning Boeing’s 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed appreciation for the partnership with Japan Airlines, highlighting their decision to select the 787 Dreamliner as they upgrade their fleet.
This announcement coincides with the first day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aerospace industry. Japan Airlines has ordered 10 Dreamliners with an option for an additional 10. At the same time, Korean Air has placed an order for 20 of the 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, also with the option for 10 more 787-10s.
The partnership with Japan Airlines becomes particularly noteworthy in the context of a Reuters report from March that indicated Airbus selling 11 A321neo jets to the airline, marking the first instance of Japan Airlines purchasing a single-aisle aircraft from a manufacturer other than Boeing. This move occurred while the Boeing 737 Max was under scrutiny due to ongoing issues and production challenges.
Similarly, Bloomberg reported that Airbus had also sold several wide-body jets to Korean Air, which predominantly operates Boeing aircraft. This order was interpreted as a blow to Boeing, particularly regarding the upcoming 777X, which is nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed gratitude to Korean Air for selecting Boeing’s largest and most efficient widebody planes to expand its global operations. She emphasized the longstanding role of Boeing aircraft in Korean Air’s fleet over the past 50 years and reiterated that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will be essential for the airline’s goals of sustainability and growth.