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 secured orders for up to 80 planes after facing competition from Airbus, which had previously garnered attention from these carriers following issues related to Boeing’s 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations, expressed the company’s appreciation for its partnership with Japan Airlines. He highlighted their decision to reselect the 787 Dreamliner as part of their fleet modernization efforts.
This announcement coincides with the first 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, with an option for 10 more 787-10s.
The mention of a “long-standing partnership” follows reports that Airbus sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines earlier this year, the first time the carrier chose to buy a single-aisle airplane from a competitor. This decision came amid Boeing’s challenges with the 737 Max and a significant slowdown in production.
Similarly, Korean Air also turned to Airbus for wide-body jets, raising concerns for Boeing, especially as their 777X model is nearing regulatory approval. Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, noted the importance of their aircraft in Korean Air’s operations over the past five decades and expressed confidence in how the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will contribute to the airline’s sustainability and growth plans.