Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This move, revealed on the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, marks a strong response from the U.S. manufacturer after French competitor Airbus made strides in capturing market share from these carriers.
Japan Airlines has committed to ordering 10 Dreamliners, with an option for an additional 10, while Korean Air has secured orders for 20 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, also with the option for 10 more 787-10s.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s sales operations head, expressed appreciation for the partnership with Japan Airlines, highlighting their ongoing modernization efforts with the Dreamliner model. This announcement comes after reports earlier this year indicated that Airbus had sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking a significant shift as it was the airline’s first acquisition of a single-aisle aircraft from a company other than Boeing amidst the crisis surrounding the 737 Max.
Similarly, there were reports of Airbus selling several wide-body jets to Korean Air, which predominantly operates Boeing aircraft. This order was perceived as a slight to Boeing’s 777x model, which is nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed honor in Korean Air’s selection of Boeing’s latest widebody aircraft, noting the long-standing relationship between the airline and Boeing, and underlining the role of these aircraft in supporting Korean Air’s sustainability and growth objectives.