Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. The planemaker revealed on Monday that it has secured orders for up to 80 planes, a move that signals its intent to reclaim market share after facing competition from Airbus.
Brad McMullen, head of Boeing’s sales operations, expressed satisfaction with Japan Airlines’ choice to continue using the 787 Dreamliner to modernize its fleet, highlighting the long-standing partnership between the two companies.
This announcement coincides with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a prominent industry event. Japan Airlines is set to acquire 10 Dreamliners with the option for 10 more, while Korean Air has committed to 20 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, also with an option for 10 additional 787-10s.
The reference to the “long-standing partnership” comes after a recent report indicated that Airbus made inroads by selling 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking the first instance of the carrier purchasing a single-aisle aircraft from a competitor. This sale came during ongoing challenges for Boeing’s 737 Max, which was embroiled in controversy and production slowdowns.
Additionally, reports indicated that Airbus had sold several wide-body aircraft to Korean Air, a move seen as a slight to Boeing’s 777x, which is nearing regulatory approval. Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed gratitude to Korean Air for selecting Boeing’s large, efficient widebody aircraft, affirming the company’s commitment to supporting the airline’s long-term sustainability and growth goals.