Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft, reporting on Monday that Japan Airlines and Korean Air have ordered up to 80 planes. This comes after Airbus had gained ground with these airlines following Boeing’s troubles related to its 737 Max earlier this year.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations, expressed appreciation for the ongoing partnership with Japan Airlines, highlighting their decision to choose the 787 Dreamliner as they modernize their fleet. This announcement coincides with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aviation industry.
Japan Airlines has ordered 10 Dreamliners with an option for 10 additional planes, while Korean Air has placed an order for 20 models of the 777-9 and 20 of the 787-10, also with an option for 10 more 787-10s.
The reference to the long-standing partnership emphasizes a trend noted in March when Airbus sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Air, marking the first time the airline opted for a single-aisle plane from a manufacturer other than Boeing—particularly during a time when the 737 Max faced significant challenges.
Similarly, it was reported that Airbus had also sold several wide-body jets to Korean Air, which predominantly operates Boeing aircraft. This order was viewed as a possible slight towards Boeing’s delayed 777x model, which is finally nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, stated that Korean Air’s selection of Boeing’s latest widebody aircraft supports the airline’s objectives for sustainability and growth. She noted the integral role Boeing planes have played in Korean Air’s operations over the past 50 years.