Boeing has recently secured significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft from Japan Airlines and Korean Air, totaling up to 80 planes. The announcement was made on Monday, highlighting that the orders come after Boeing faced competition from Airbus, which had previously made inroads with these carriers following the issues surrounding the 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed satisfaction in a statement, noting the company’s long-standing relationship with Japan Airlines as they continue to enhance their fleet with the Dreamliner.
This announcement coincides with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a prominent event in the aviation industry. Japan Airlines has committed to 10 Dreamliners, with an option for 10 additional units. Meanwhile, Korean Air has ordered twenty 777-9 models and twenty 787-10 planes, also with an option for ten more 787-10s.
The reference to a “long-standing partnership” is significant in light of a report from March indicating that Japan Airlines had purchased 11 A321neo jets from Airbus, marking a departure from Boeing for single-aisle planes. Similarly, reports suggested that Airbus had sold several wide-body aircraft to Korean Air, which predominantly operates Boeing models, signaling a potential shift in their purchasing strategies.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, remarked on the honor of Korean Air choosing their largest, most efficient widebody airplanes, emphasizing the importance of Boeing aircraft in the airline’s history and future sustainability and growth plans.