Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. The announcement was made on Monday during the Farnborough International Airshow, a prominent industry event. Japan Airlines has committed to acquiring 10 Dreamliners with an option for an additional 10, while Korean Air has ordered 20 models of the 777-9 and 20 of the 787-10, with an option for another 10 787-10s.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations, expressed appreciation for Japan Airlines’ continued partnership, highlighting their decision to modernize their fleet with the 787 Dreamliner. The orders signify Boeing’s comeback after facing competition from Airbus, which had secured its own deals with both airlines earlier this year.
Airbus had sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking the carrier’s first acquisition of a single-aisle aircraft from a manufacturer other than Boeing. Additionally, Korean Air had also made headlines for ordering some wide-body jets from Airbus, raising concerns about Boeing’s market position.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, emphasized the significance of Boeing’s aircraft in Korean Air’s fleet over the past five decades and reiterated the airline’s commitment to sustainability and growth with the introduction of the 777X and 787 Dreamliner.