Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft, with Japan Airlines and Korean Air committing to purchase up to 80 planes. This announcement comes on the first day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key industry event, and represents Boeing’s response to competitors, particularly after Airbus recently gained ground with these carriers during a challenging period for Boeing.
Japan Airlines has ordered 10 Dreamliners with an option for 10 more, while Korean Air has placed an order for 20 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, also with an option for an additional 10 787-10s. Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations, expressed appreciation for the ongoing partnership with Japan Airlines, highlighting their decision to continue modernizing their fleet with the 787 Dreamliner.
The contrast in recent orders is notable, as earlier this year, Airbus secured an order for 11 A321neo jets from Japan Airlines, marking their first purchase of a single-aisle aircraft from a competitor. Additionally, Airbus sold several wide-body jets to Korean Air, a significant development considering the airline’s historical preference for Boeing aircraft.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, emphasized the importance of Boeing’s aircraft in Korean Air’s fleet over the past five decades and highlighted that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner align with the airline’s sustainability and growth objectives.