Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft, securing agreements for up to 80 planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This development comes in response to rival Airbus’s earlier advances into these markets, following a setback for Boeing related to its 737 Max.
“Japan Airlines is continuing its modernization efforts by re-selecting the 787 Dreamliner, and we value our long-standing partnership with them,” stated Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations.
The announcements were made on the first day of the Farnborough International Airshow. Japan Airlines has placed an order for 10 Dreamliners with an option for 10 additional planes. Korean Air has ordered twenty 777-9 models and twenty 787-10 aircraft, with an option for another 10 787-10s.
This partnership is notable, especially in light of a previous report indicating that Airbus sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines—marking a shift as it was the first time Japan Airlines purchased a single-aisle jet from a manufacturer other than Boeing. The A321neo competes with the 737 Max, which was embroiled in controversy and experiencing production slowdowns at that time.
Additionally, reports surfaced that Airbus had secured sales of wide-body jets to Korean Air, traditionally a Boeing customer, a move interpreted as a challenge to the Boeing 777X, which is nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed gratitude to Korean Air for selecting Boeing’s largest and most efficient wide-body models. She noted that Boeing aircraft have been integral to Korean Air for the past 50 years and emphasized that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will help the airline achieve its long-term sustainability and growth objectives.