Boeing has announced significant orders for its large aircraft, securing commitments for up to 80 units of its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This announcement, made on Monday, indicates that Boeing is actively seeking to reclaim market share after facing competition from Airbus, particularly following a tumultuous period related to the 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s sales operations head, commented on the partnership with Japan Airlines, expressing satisfaction with their ongoing collaboration and the airline’s choice to modernize its fleet with the 787 Dreamliner.
The announcement coincides with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aviation industry. Japan Airlines is set to acquire 10 Dreamliners with an option for an additional 10. Meanwhile, Korean Air has placed an order for 20 777-9 models and 20 787-10 aircraft, also with an option for 10 more 787-10s.
The reference to a “long-standing partnership” underscores a previous report indicating that Airbus had sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking a notable shift as this was the airline’s first purchase of a single-aisle plane from a manufacturer other than Boeing. At that time, the A321neo was competing with the 737 Max, which was under scrutiny and experiencing a substantial production slowdown.
Moreover, Bloomberg highlighted that Airbus had sold several wide-body jets to Korean Air, traditionally a Boeing customer, which was seen as a slight to Boeing’s 777x model, which is nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed appreciation for Korean Air’s selection of Boeing’s most efficient widebody planes, stating that these aircraft will help the airline expand its global operations. She emphasized the long history between Boeing and Korean Air and how the 777X and 787 Dreamliner align with the airline’s sustainability and growth objectives.