Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. The airliner revealed on Monday that it secured commitments for up to 80 aircraft, signaling its resilience against competition from Airbus after the latter gained traction with these carriers during the fallout from the Boeing 737 Max incident earlier this year.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations, expressed appreciation for the ongoing partnership with Japan Airlines, stating that the airline’s decision to order more Dreamliners demonstrates its commitment to modernizing its fleet.
This announcement coincides with the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aerospace industry. Japan Airlines will receive 10 new Dreamliners, along with options for an additional 10, while Korean Air has ordered twenty 777-9 jets and twenty 787-10 models, with a possibility of acquiring 10 more 787-10s.
The reference to a “long-standing partnership” highlights the recent shift where Japan Airlines purchased 11 Airbus A321neo jets, marking its first acquisition of a single-aisle plane from a manufacturer other than Boeing, as reported by Reuters. This occurred amid a challenging period for Boeing, with the 737 Max facing serious issues.
Similarly, Bloomberg indicated that Airbus secured several wide-body jet orders from Korean Air, which traditionally relies heavily on Boeing aircraft. This development was interpreted as a message to Boeing, particularly regarding the 777x model, which is nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, stated that they are honored by Korean Air’s choice and emphasized the role Boeing planes have played in the airline’s success over the past 50 years. She noted that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner align with Korean Air’s sustainability and growth objectives.