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 came on Monday, as the company seeks to regain its footing after French rival Airbus had previously made inroads with these carriers amid concerns surrounding the Boeing 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed appreciation for the partnership with Japan Airlines, stating, “We value our long-standing partnership with Japan Airlines and are pleased that they have re-selected the 787 Dreamliner as they continue to modernize their world-class fleet.”
These orders were revealed on the first day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a significant event in the aviation industry. Japan Airlines is set to acquire 10 Dreamliners, with an option for an additional 10, while Korean Air has placed an order for 20 models of the 777-9 and 20 787-10 planes, also with an option for 10 more 787-10s.
The mention of a “long-standing partnership” recalls a report from Reuters in March, which detailed Airbus’s sale of 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines. This marked the first time the carrier had acquired a single-aisle plane from a manufacturer other than Boeing. The A321neo competes with the 737 Max, which was embroiled in controversies and facing production slowdowns at that time.
Similarly, Bloomberg reported that Airbus had sold several wide-body jets to Korean Air, which primarily operates Boeing aircraft. This order was perceived as a slight towards Boeing’s 777X, which is only now nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, commented, “We are honored Korean Air has selected our largest, most efficient widebody airplanes to add capacity to its global network. Boeing airplanes have played an integral role with Korean Air over the past 50 years, and the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will continue to support the airline’s long-term goals for sustainability and continued growth.”