Boeing has announced significant orders for its popular 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. The announcement was made on Monday, highlighting Boeing’s recovery after facing competition from Airbus, which had previously secured orders from these carriers following the issues related to the 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations, expressed excitement over Japan Airlines’ decision to continue its partnership by ordering 10 Dreamliners, with an option for 10 more, stating the importance of their long-standing relationship. Meanwhile, Korean Air has ordered twenty 777-9 models and twenty 787-10 planes, with the option for an additional ten 787-10s.
The orders come as a response to recent moves by Airbus, which had sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines and several wide-body jets to Korean Air. This marked the first time Japan Airlines purchased a single-aisle aircraft from a manufacturer other than Boeing amid a scandal that impacted the 737 Max’s production.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, commented on the importance of the new orders for Korean Air, stating that Boeing’s planes have been crucial to their fleet over the past five decades. She emphasized that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will aid in the airline’s sustainability and growth objectives.