Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. The planemaker revealed on Monday that it secured orders for up to 80 planes, indicating its recovery efforts following challenges, including competition from Airbus.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations, expressed satisfaction with Japan Airlines for reselecting the 787 Dreamliner to modernize its fleet. Japan Airlines has ordered 10 Dreamliners and holds the option for 10 more. Meanwhile, Korean Air has committed to 20 of the 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, also with an option for 10 additional 787-10s.
This announcement coincides with the opening of the Farnborough International Airshow, a prominent industry event. Earlier in the year, reports indicated that Airbus sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking the airline’s first purchase of a single-aisle plane from a manufacturer other than Boeing. This sale occurred amid ongoing difficulties for the 737 Max, which faced significant scrutiny and production challenges.
Additionally, reports highlighted that Airbus made sales to Korean Air, which has traditionally relied on Boeing aircraft for the majority of its fleet. Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, remarked on the significance of Korean Air choosing Boeing’s largest and most efficient widebody aircraft to enhance its global operations, emphasizing the long-term partnership and shared commitment to sustainability.