Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. The company revealed on Monday that it has secured orders for up to 80 planes, indicating a strong response after French competitor Airbus made inroads with these airlines following Boeing’s issues with the 737 Max earlier this year.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations, expressed the firm’s appreciation for its ongoing relationship with Japan Airlines, noting that they have chosen the 787 Dreamliner as part of their fleet modernization efforts.
This announcement coincides with the opening 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 20 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, also with the option for 10 more 787-10s.
The term “long-standing partnership” recalls a report from March indicating that Airbus sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking their first acquisition of a single-aisle aircraft from a manufacturer other than Boeing. This order came amidst ongoing challenges for the 737 Max, which was dealing with a significant scandal and production slowdowns.
Bloomberg had previously reported similar developments with Korean Air, which had also purchased several wide-body jets from Airbus. This order was perceived as a slight against the 777X, which is still awaiting regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, stated that Boeing is honored by Korean Air’s choice of its most efficient wide-body aircraft to enhance its global operations. She emphasized the integral role Boeing planes have played in Korean Air’s operations over the past 50 years, highlighting that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will aid the airline in achieving its sustainability and growth objectives.