Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 aircraft, securing commitments for up to 80 planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This announcement, made on Monday, indicates Boeing’s strategic response following recent competitive moves by Airbus, particularly in the wake of issues surrounding its 737 Max.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations, expressed satisfaction with Japan Airlines’ choice to continue using the 787 Dreamliner as part of their fleet modernization efforts. The announcement coincides with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event for the aviation industry. Japan Airlines has ordered 10 Dreamliners with an option for an additional 10. Meanwhile, Korean Air has ordered 20 of the 777-9 models as well as 20 of the 787-10 planes, with an option for 10 more 787-10s.
This move by Japan Airlines marks a shift in their purchasing habits, as it was reported earlier in the year that they had purchased 11 A321neo jets from Airbus, marking their first acquisition of a single-aisle aircraft from a manufacturer other than Boeing. Similarly, Korean Air has also diversified its fleet, buying several wide-body jets from Airbus, suggesting a growing competitive landscape for Boeing.
Stephanie Pope, who leads Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed gratitude for Korean Air’s continued partnership, highlighting the importance of Boeing’s aircraft in supporting the airline’s long-term sustainability and growth goals.