Boeing has announced significant orders for its 787 Dreamliner and 777 double-aisle aircraft, securing commitments for up to 80 planes from Japan Airlines and Korean Air. This announcement comes as a response to Airbus, which had captured market share in the wake of Boeing’s 737 Max issues earlier this year.
Brad McMullen, Boeing’s head of sales operations, expressed appreciation for the continued partnership with Japan Airlines, highlighting the airline’s decision to choose the 787 Dreamliner as they update their fleet.
This development coincides with the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, a key event in the aerospace industry. Japan Airlines plans to acquire 10 Dreamliners, with an option for 10 additional aircraft. Korean Air has made a larger commitment, ordering 20 units of the 777-9 and 20 of the 787-10, along with an option for 10 more 787-10s.
The notion of a “long-standing partnership” seems particularly relevant given a recent report indicating that Japan Airlines had purchased 11 A321neo jets from Airbus—its first single-aisle purchase from a competitor. This move came amidst Boeing’s ongoing challenges related to the 737 Max.
Additionally, Bloomberg reported similar activity, noting that Airbus sold wide-body jets to Korean Air, which predominantly operates Boeing planes. This was perceived as a potential setback for the 777X model, which is nearing regulatory approval.
Stephanie Pope, head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, expressed gratitude for Korean Air’s selection of their wide-body aircraft, emphasizing their long-standing relationship and the importance of the 777X and 787 Dreamliner in supporting the airline’s sustainability and growth objectives.