Boeing has made significant strides in securing orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft. On Monday, the aerospace giant announced that it has finalized commitments for up to 80 planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This announcement comes after Airbus made inroads with these carriers, following a previous setback for Boeing related to the 737 Max.
Boeing’s sales operations head, Brad McMullen, expressed appreciation for the ongoing partnership with Japan Airlines, emphasizing the company’s selection of the 787 Dreamliner to upgrade its fleet.
The 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 an additional 10, while Korean Air is set to acquire 20 units of the 777-9 model and 20 units of the 787-10, plus the option for another 10 of the latter.
This announcement comes in the context of a recent report noting that Japan Airlines had previously ordered 11 A321neo jets from Airbus, marking its first acquisition of a single-aisle aircraft from a manufacturer other than Boeing. This move occurred during a turbulent time for Boeing, as the company faced challenges with the 737 Max.
Furthermore, it was reported that Airbus had also sold several wide-body jets to Korean Air, traditionally a Boeing customer, indicating a shift in the competitive dynamics between the two aerospace giants.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, highlighted the significance of the partnership with Korean Air and noted that the new orders would support the airline’s long-term sustainability and growth objectives.