Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft. The planemaker revealed on Monday that it has secured orders for up to 80 planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This development comes after Airbus had made inroads with these airlines amid the fallout from Boeing’s 737 Max issues earlier this year, highlighting Boeing’s effort to regain its footing in the market.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed appreciation for the partnership with Japan Airlines, which has decided to order 10 Dreamliners with the option for an additional 10. Korean Air has placed orders for 20 of the 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, with the option for 10 more of the latter.
This announcement occurs on the first day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a prominent gathering in the aviation industry. The reference to a “long-standing partnership” is significant, especially considering a prior report indicating that Japan Airlines had purchased 11 A321neo jets from Airbus, marking the first instance of the airline opting for a single-aisle aircraft from a competitor to Boeing.
Similarly, there were reports suggesting that Korean Air has also made purchases from Airbus, a move seen as a potential pushback against the Boeing 777X, which has faced delays in regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, stated that it is an honor for Korean Air to choose Boeing’s most efficient widebody planes to enhance its global operations. She remarked on the integral role Boeing aircraft have played in Korean Air’s fleet over the past 50 years, emphasizing the planes’ alignment with the airline’s sustainability goals and growth strategy.