Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle planes, securing commitments for up to 80 aircraft from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This move comes as a response to Airbus, which made inroads with these carriers after Boeing faced challenges following a door issue with its 737 Max in January.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations, expressed appreciation for the enduring partnership with Japan Airlines, stating that the airline’s decision to continue with the 787 Dreamliner aligns with its fleet modernization efforts.
The announcement was made on the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event for the aviation industry. Japan Airlines has committed to 10 Dreamliners with the option for an additional 10, while Korean Air has ordered 20 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, with an option for 10 more 787-10s.
Boeing’s reference to its long-term partnership with Japan Airlines is noteworthy, especially after reports in March indicated that Airbus had sold 11 A321neo jets to the airline—the first purchase of a single-aisle aircraft from a competitor. The A321neo competes with the 737 Max, which was facing scrutiny and production hurdles at the time.
Additionally, reports surfaced that Airbus had made several wide-body jet sales to Korean Air, highlighting a potential shift as Korean Air’s fleet predominantly consists of Boeing aircraft. Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, emphasized the significance of Boeing’s planes in Korean Air’s operations over the past five decades and underscored that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner would help achieve the airline’s sustainability and growth objectives.