Boeing has announced significant orders for its larger aircraft, stating on Monday that Japan Airlines and Korean Air have ordered up to 80 of its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle planes. This announcement comes after Airbus had made inroads with these carriers following issues surrounding the Boeing 737 Max earlier this year, indicating that Boeing is actively working to regain its market presence.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations, expressed appreciation for the longstanding relationship with Japan Airlines, highlighting their decision to choose the 787 Dreamliner as part of their fleet modernization efforts.
The announcement coincides with the start of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aerospace industry. Japan Airlines has ordered 10 Dreamliners with an option for an additional 10, while Korean Air has placed an order for twenty 777-9 models and twenty 787-10 planes, also with an option for another 10 787-10s.
These orders are notable given that earlier in the year, Reuters reported Japan Airlines purchasing 11 Airbus A321neo jets, marking their first acquisition of single-aisle aircraft from a manufacturer other than Boeing. This was during a challenging period for Boeing, characterized by the ongoing 737 Max scandal that led to production issues.
Similarly, Bloomberg reported that Airbus had sold several wide-body jets to Korean Air, which primarily operates Boeing aircraft, suggesting a potential shift in supplier allegiance, particularly amid delays in the 777x model gaining regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed pride that Korean Air has chosen Boeing’s largest and most efficient widebody airplanes to enhance its global network, reinforcing the company’s integral role in Korean Air’s operations over the past five decades and its commitment to supporting the airline’s sustainability and growth objectives.