Boeing recently announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft. On Monday, the manufacturer revealed it had secured orders for up to 80 planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This announcement comes after Airbus made competitive moves with these carriers following issues related to Boeing’s 737 Max in January, indicating that Boeing is actively working to regain its foothold in the market.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed appreciation for the ongoing partnership with Japan Airlines, noting their decision to continue investing in the 787 Dreamliner as they modernize their fleet. The announcement coincided with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key industry event. Japan Airlines has ordered 10 Dreamliners with an option for an additional 10, while Korean Air has placed orders for twenty 777-9 models and twenty 787-10s, along with an option for 10 more 787-10s.
The mention of a “long-standing partnership” brings to mind reports from March, which noted that Airbus successfully sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking a significant shift as it was the first single-aisle purchase from a non-Boeing supplier. The A321neo competes directly with the 737 Max, which was facing challenges during that period.
Similarly, around that time, it was reported that Airbus had secured several wide-body jet orders from Korean Air, which primarily operates Boeing aircraft. This order was perceived as a slight against Boeing’s 777X, which has only recently begun approaching regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, acknowledged Korean Air’s selection of Boeing’s largest and most efficient widebody planes, highlighting their importance for the airline’s global operations and commitment to sustainability and growth over the past 50 years.