Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle planes, securing commitments for up to 80 aircraft from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This development comes as a strong response to rival Airbus, which had made gains with these airlines following issues surrounding Boeing’s 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed satisfaction with Japan Airlines’ decision to continue using the 787 Dreamliner as part of their fleet modernization. Japan Airlines has ordered 10 Dreamliners with the option for an additional 10. Meanwhile, Korean Air has confirmed orders for 20 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, with the possibility of 10 more 787-10s.
The renewed partnership with Japan Airlines is noteworthy, especially after a Reuters report earlier this year revealed that Airbus had sold 11 A321neo jets to the airline, marking a shift in their purchasing history. This purchase was seen as a response to the ongoing struggles of Boeing’s 737 Max.
Additionally, there were reports that Airbus had sold wide-body jets to Korean Air, which predominantly operates Boeing aircraft. This move was interpreted as a potential rejection of Boeing’s forthcoming 777x model, which is still awaiting regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, emphasized the significance of the partnership with Korean Air, stating that their new orders reflect a commitment to capacity expansion, sustainability, and ongoing growth in their global operations.