Boeing has made headlines with significant orders for its largest aircraft. The company announced on Monday that it has secured agreements for up to 80 units of its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This move indicates Boeing’s determination to reclaim market share after facing competition from Airbus, particularly following issues with the 737 Max earlier this year.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s sales operations head, expressed satisfaction with Japan Airlines’ decision to continue using the 787 Dreamliner as the airline updates its fleet.
This announcement coincides with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aviation industry. Japan Airlines plans to acquire 10 Dreamliners, with an option for an additional 10. Meanwhile, Korean Air has ordered twenty 777-9 models and twenty 787-10 planes, also with an option for another 10 787-10s.
The mention of a “long-standing partnership” highlights a previous report from March, stating that Airbus had sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking the first time the airline purchased a single-aisle model from a manufacturer other than Boeing. This shift occurred at a time when the 737 Max was embroiled in controversy and production was hampered.
Similarly, Bloomberg noted that Airbus had secured several wide-body jet orders from Korean Air, traditionally a Boeing customer, which was perceived as a setback for the 777x, still awaiting regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, stated that Boeing is honored to supply Korean Air with its most efficient widebody aircraft, which are integral to the airline’s operational goals and sustainability efforts over the past five decades.