Boeing has announced significant orders for its large aircraft, revealing 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 made inroads with these airlines following the January incident involving the Boeing 737 Max. The orders indicate that Boeing is actively regaining competitive ground.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed appreciation for the longstanding partnership with Japan Airlines, which will acquire 10 Dreamliners with an option for 10 additional units. Korean Air, on the other hand, has committed to 20 units of the 777-9 and 20 787-10 planes, with the possibility of adding 10 more 787-10s.
This development is particularly notable at the Farnborough International Airshow, an important aerospace event. Previous reports highlighted that in March, Airbus sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Air, marking the first time the airline has procured a single-aisle jet from Airbus. This order coincided with ongoing issues surrounding the 737 Max and a significant slowdown in its production.
Moreover, reports indicated that Airbus had also secured several wide-body jet orders from Korean Air, which primarily operates Boeing aircraft. This order was perceived as a rejection of the 777x model, which is just nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, emphasized the importance of these orders, stating that Boeing’s aircraft have been vital to Korean Air for the past five decades. She added that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will enhance the airline’s capacity and contribute to its sustainability and growth objectives.