Boeing has recently made significant strides in securing orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle planes. On Monday, the aerospace giant announced that Japan Airlines and Korean Air have committed to purchasing up to 80 of these aircraft. This announcement signals Boeing’s response to previous incursions by rival Airbus, which had captured orders from these carriers following issues with Boeing’s 737 Max earlier this year.
Brad McMullen, who leads Boeing’s sales operations, expressed satisfaction with Japan Airlines’ decision to reselect the 787 Dreamliner as part of their fleet modernization efforts. As part of the deal, Japan Airlines will acquire 10 Dreamliners with an option for an additional 10.
Additionally, Korean Air has placed orders for 20 777-9 models and 20 787-10 planes, along with a possibility of 10 more 787-10s. This announcement coincides with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aerospace industry.
The renewed partnerships come after a report from March, which highlighted Airbus’s sale of 11 A321neo jets to Japan Airlines, marking the first time the airline opted for a single-aisle aircraft from a manufacturer other than Boeing. The A321neo competes with the 737 Max, which was embroiled in controversy at the time due to production slowdowns.
Similarly, it was reported that Airbus made sales of several wide-body jets to Korean Air, which primarily operates Boeing aircraft. This deal has been viewed as a snub to Boeing’s 777X, which is nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, stated that they are honored by Korean Air’s selection of their most efficient widebody aircraft, emphasizing the long-standing relationship between Boeing and the airline over the past 50 years. She noted that the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will play a crucial role in supporting Korean Air’s sustainability and growth objectives.