Boeing has recently announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft, securing commitments for up to 80 planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This move appears to be a response to competition from Airbus, which had gained ground during the fallout from Boeing’s 737 Max incident earlier this year.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations, expressed appreciation for the ongoing partnership with Japan Airlines, which has opted for 10 Dreamliners with an option for an additional 10. Similarly, Korean Air has ordered twenty 777-9 models and twenty 787-10 planes, with the option for 10 more 787-10s.
This announcement coincides with the first day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event for the aerospace industry. The reference to a “long-standing partnership” comes after reports indicated that Airbus sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking their first single-aisle purchase from a competitor. The A321neo competes directly with the 737 Max, which was undergoing serious challenges during that period.
Additionally, Korean Air placed orders for several wide-body jets from Airbus, potentially indicating a shift away from Boeing, as their fleet has traditionally comprised mainly Boeing aircraft. In response, Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, affirmed Boeing’s role in supporting Korean Air’s long-term goals of sustainability and growth, highlighting the importance of the newly ordered 777X and 787 Dreamliner models.