Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft from Japan Airlines and Korean Air, totaling up to 80 planes. This comes after a tough period for Boeing, particularly following the January incident involving the 737 Max. The new bookings indicate that Boeing is regaining traction in the market after losing some ground to Airbus during that time.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s sales operations head, expressed the company’s appreciation for its enduring relationship with Japan Airlines. He stated that the airline’s decision to reselect the 787 Dreamliner reflects their commitment to modernizing their fleet.
These announcements were made on the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, an important event for the aviation industry. Japan Airlines plans to acquire 10 Dreamliners, with an option for an additional 10. Meanwhile, Korean Air has committed to 20 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, with the possibility of ordering 10 more 787-10s.
The announcement highlights a competitive landscape, as a report from March indicated that Airbus had successfully sold 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking a shift since they had previously only purchased single-aisle aircraft from Boeing. Additionally, it was reported that Airbus secured several wide-body aircraft orders from Korean Air, traditionally a Boeing customer.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed pride in Korean Air’s selection of Boeing’s aircraft, underscoring their historical partnership and the role these aircraft will play in supporting the airline’s sustainability and growth objectives over the coming years.