Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft, securing commitments for up to 80 planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This announcement comes as part of the first day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a prominent event in the aviation industry.
Japan Airlines has placed an order for 10 Dreamliners, with an option to acquire 10 additional units. Meanwhile, Korean Air has committed to purchasing 20 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, also with an option for an extra 10 787-10s. Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations, expressed gratitude for the long-standing partnership with Japan Airlines, noting their choice to continue modernizing their fleet with the 787 Dreamliner.
This development comes after Airbus had made inroads with these airlines during a challenging period for Boeing, particularly following issues related to the 737 Max. In March, it was reported that Airbus successfully sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking the first instance of the airline purchasing a single-aisle aircraft from a manufacturer other than Boeing. Similarly, Bloomberg noted that Airbus had sold several wide-body jets to Korean Air while the airline’s fleet predominantly consisted of Boeing aircraft.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, commented on the significance of the orders from Korean Air, stating that they would help enhance the airline’s global network and align with its long-term sustainability goals.