Boeing recently announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This announcement came on Monday, indicating that the company has secured orders for up to 80 planes. The move suggests that Boeing is responding to competitive pressures after rival Airbus made inroads with these carriers following a turbulent period for Boeing related to the 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed satisfaction with Japan Airlines’ decision to continue modernizing its fleet with the 787 Dreamliner. Specifically, Japan Airlines has ordered ten Dreamliners with an option for ten more, while Korean Air has signed on for twenty 777-9 models and twenty 787-10 planes, with an option for an additional ten 787-10s.
This collaboration comes shortly after reports highlighted that Japan Airlines purchased 11 A321neo jets from Airbus, marking a significant shift since it had primarily sourced single-aisle planes from Boeing. Similarly, Korean Air was noted to have acquired several wide-body jets from Airbus, which was seen as a challenge to Boeing’s 777x model that is still awaiting regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed gratitude for Korean Air’s selection of Boeing’s latest aircraft, touting their contributions to the airline over the past five decades and aligning with its goals for sustainability and growth.