Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft from Japan Airlines and Korean Air, securing commitments for up to 80 planes. This announcement came on the first day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a prominent industry trade event. Japan Airlines is set to order 10 Dreamliners, with an option for an additional 10, while Korean Air has opted for 20 of the 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, also with the option for 10 more 787-10s.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed appreciation for the long-standing partnership with Japan Airlines, highlighting their decision to re-select the 787 Dreamliner as they modernize their fleet. This move follows recent competition from Airbus, which had sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines—marking the airline’s first acquisition of a single-aisle plane from a competitor of Boeing.
Korean Air’s recent orders point to a shift, as reports indicated that the airline had previously turned to Airbus for wide-body jets, signaling a potential intentional oversight of Boeing’s 777x, which is nearing regulatory approval. Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, acknowledged the importance of Boeing aircraft to Korean Air’s operations over the last 50 years, emphasizing that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will contribute to the airline’s sustainability and growth objectives.