Boeing has made a significant announcement regarding new orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft. The company revealed on Monday that it has secured orders for up to 80 of these planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This development indicates that Boeing is responding to market challenges after Airbus made inroads with these airlines amid the fallout from Boeing’s 737 Max issues.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations, expressed appreciation for the continued partnership with Japan Airlines, stating that the airline has opted for the 787 Dreamliner as it upgrades its fleet.
These announcements coincide with the start of the Farnborough International Airshow, an important event in the aviation industry. Japan Airlines will acquire 10 Dreamliners with an option for 10 additional units, while Korean Air has committed to 20 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, with an option for 10 more 787-10s.
The reference to a “long-standing partnership” with Japan Airlines follows a report from March in which Airbus sold 11 A321neo jets to the airline, marking its first purchase of a single-aisle aircraft from a competitor other than Boeing. This purchase came during a challenging time for Boeing, as the 737 Max was under scrutiny.
Similarly, reports indicated that Airbus had also made sales of wide-body jets to Korean Air, which traditionally has had a fleet predominantly made up of Boeing aircraft. This was interpreted as a move to distance itself from the 777x, which is in the process of obtaining regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, emphasized the importance of Boeing aircraft to Korean Air’s operations for the past 50 years and highlighted that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will support the airline’s future goals for sustainability and expansion.