Boeing has announced significant orders for its largest aircraft, securing up to 80 orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-decker planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This move comes after Airbus managed to penetrate these carriers’ markets following Boeing’s challenges with its 737 Max model earlier this year.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s sales operations head, expressed the company’s appreciation for its enduring relationship with Japan Airlines, noting their choice to continue investing in the 787 Dreamliner as they upgrade their fleet.
This announcement coincides with the commencement of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aviation industry. Japan Airlines will take delivery of 10 Dreamliners with an option for 10 additional units. Meanwhile, Korean Air has ordered 20 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, also with an option for an extra 10 787-10s.
The mention of a “long-standing partnership” with Japan Airlines comes in light of reports earlier this year indicating that Airbus had sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Air, marking the first instance of the airline purchasing a single-aisle aircraft from a manufacturer other than Boeing. The A321neo competes directly with the 737 Max, which was facing significant scrutiny and a decrease in production at that time.
Similarly, reports indicated that Airbus had also made sales of wide-body jets to Korean Air, which primarily operates Boeing aircraft. This grew speculation that Korean Air’s decision may be a response to Boeing’s delayed 777X model, which is nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, Boeing’s head of commercial airplanes, expressed gratitude for Korean Air’s selection of the company’s larger, more efficient wide-body aircraft, emphasizing Boeing’s longstanding role in supporting the airline’s growth and sustainability objectives over the past 50 years.