Boeing has made significant strides in securing orders for its prominent aircraft models, recently announcing agreements for up to 80 of its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This announcement comes amid heightened competition with its French rival, Airbus, which made inroads with these airlines following issues related to Boeing’s 737 Max earlier this year.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s sales operations head, expressed appreciation for the renewed partnership with Japan Airlines, stating, “We value our long-standing partnership with Japan Airlines and are pleased that they have re-selected the 787 Dreamliner as they continue to modernize their world-class fleet.”
This announcement coincided with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aerospace industry. Japan Airlines has committed to acquiring 10 Dreamliners with an option for an additional 10. Meanwhile, Korean Air has ordered 20 of the 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, with the possibility of adding 10 more 787-10s.
The reference to their “long-standing partnership” highlights previous reports indicating a shift in Japan Airlines’ purchasing habits; in March, Airbus sold 11 A321neo jets to the airline, marking its first acquisition of a single-aisle aircraft from a non-Boeing manufacturer. This order came during a challenging period for Boeing, when the 737 Max was facing scrutiny and production setbacks.
Similarly, Korean Air has also shown interest in Airbus’s offerings, reportedly ordering several wide-body jets amidst a largely Boeing-centric fleet. This move was perceived as a response to the delays and regulatory challenges surrounding the Boeing 777X.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, remarked, “We are honored Korean Air has selected our largest, most efficient widebody airplanes to add capacity to its global network. Boeing airplanes have played an integral role with Korean Air over the past 50 years, and the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will continue to support the airline’s long-term goals for sustainability and continued growth.”