Boeing has recently announced significant orders for its major aircraft models. The company revealed on Monday that it secured orders for up to 80 of its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This announcement comes in light of Airbus’s earlier advances with these carriers following Boeing’s challenges with the 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations, emphasized the importance of the partnership with Japan Airlines, stating the airline has chosen the 787 Dreamliner to enhance its fleet modernization efforts.
The timing of this announcement aligns with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event for the aviation industry. Japan Airlines has committed to 10 Dreamliners with an option for an additional 10, while Korean Air has placed orders for twenty 777-9 models and twenty 787-10 planes, along with the option for 10 more 787-10s.
This announcement also comes as a response to recent shifts in the market. In March, Japan Airlines made headlines for its purchase of 11 A321neo jets from Airbus, marking a significant departure as it was the first time it acquired a single-aisle plane from a manufacturer other than Boeing. Similarly, reports indicated that Airbus had made sales of several wide-body jets to Korean Air, which traditionally has a Boeing-dominated fleet. This was seen as a potential slight to the 777x model, which is still awaiting regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, the head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed gratitude for Korean Air’s decision to include Boeing’s largest and most efficient aircraft in its fleet, highlighting the longstanding relationship between the two companies that spans over 50 years. She noted that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will be pivotal in supporting Korean Air’s sustainability and growth objectives.