Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. The aerospace giant stated on Monday that it secured commitments for as many as 80 planes, marking a strategic move to regain ground after facing competition from French rival Airbus, which had made inroads during the turbulence following the January incident with Boeing’s 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed satisfaction regarding the renewed partnership with Japan Airlines, highlighting their decision to continue modernizing their fleet with the 787 Dreamliner. The announcement coincides with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aerospace industry.
Japan Airlines has committed to acquiring 10 Dreamliners with an option for an additional 10, while Korean Air has placed orders for 20 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, along with an option for 10 more 787-10s.
The reference to the “long-standing partnership” is particularly noteworthy given that earlier this year, Airbus secured an order for 11 A321neo jets from Japan Airlines, marking the airline’s first purchase of a single-aisle aircraft from a manufacturer other than Boeing. At that time, the A321neo was competing against Boeing’s 737 Max, which was under scrutiny and experiencing a significant production slowdown.
Additionally, reports emerged that Airbus had made sales of several wide-body jets to Korean Air, which predominantly operates Boeing aircraft. This was seen as a potential slight to Boeing’s 777x, which is nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed gratitude towards Korean Air for selecting Boeing’s latest widebody aircraft to expand its global capacity. She emphasized the long-standing relationship between Boeing and Korean Air, underscoring how the 777X and 787 Dreamliner are positioned to support the airline’s sustainability and growth objectives moving forward.