Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle planes, securing commitments from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. The company revealed on Monday that it has received orders for up to 80 aircraft, indicating its response to competition from Airbus, especially after the French manufacturer had captured some market share following the January incident involving Boeing’s 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed appreciation for Japan Airlines’ continued partnership, highlighting their choice to modernize their fleet with the Dreamliner. During the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, Japan Airlines placed an order for 10 Dreamliners with an option for 10 additional units. Meanwhile, Korean Air ordered twenty 777-9 models and twenty 787-10 planes, with an option for an extra 10 787-10s.
This announcement follows a March report from Reuters, which noted that Japan Airlines had purchased 11 A321neo jets from Airbus, marking the first time it bought a single-aisle plane from a competitor. This shift occurred amid challenges for Boeing, particularly related to the ongoing issues with its 737 Max.
Additionally, Bloomberg reported that Airbus had secured several wide-body jet orders from Korean Air, which predominantly operates Boeing aircraft. This development was interpreted as a setback for Boeing, particularly concerning the delayed 777X model.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, remarked on Korean Air’s selection of their largest and most efficient widebody jets, emphasizing Boeing’s long-standing role in supporting the airline’s growth and sustainability goals over the past 50 years.