Boeing has announced significant orders for its large aircraft, revealing on Monday that it has secured commitments for up to 80 units of its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle models from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This comes after Airbus had made inroads with these airlines during the aftermath of Boeing’s 737 Max issue earlier this year, indicating that Boeing is actively responding to competitor moves.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations, stated, “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 announced on the inaugural day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aviation industry. Japan Airlines has ordered 10 Dreamliners with an option for an additional 10, while Korean Air has committed to 20 units of the 777-9 model and 20 of the 787-10, also with an option for 10 more 787-10s.
The emphasis on partnership recalls a previous report from March, which indicated that Airbus had sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines — a significant purchase since it marked the first time the airline bought a single-aisle aircraft from a company other than Boeing. This move was seen as part of the broader repercussions of the 737 Max scandal and the subsequent production reductions.
Additionally, it was reported around the same time that Airbus had also sold a number of wide-body jets to Korean Air, which has predominantly operated Boeing aircraft. This order was viewed as a rejection of the Boeing 777X model, which has only recently started nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed gratitude for Korean Air’s decision, stating, “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.”