Boeing made a splash on the first day of the Farnborough Airshow with large and strategically important order announcements, demonstrating that airlines remain confident in the U.S. airframer's ability to overcome its well documented challenges.
Korean Air committed to buying up to 50 of Boeing's widebody airplanes, including twenty 777-9s and twenty 787-10s with options for 10 more of the largest 787 Dreamliner variant. The new agreement comes on top of the expansion of the airline’s firm backlog of 22 Boeing 737 Max jets and seventeen 787s.
Korean Air chairman and CEO Walter Cho told reporters he “trusts the 777-9s will be delivered to us on time.”
“I have complete confidence in Boeing,” he said. “If I was not assured [Boeing would deliver the 777Xs on time], I would not have ordered them. I have full confidence in Boeing.”
The first delivery slot of the 777-9 won't open until 2028, Cho told AIN. He also said the carrier, which is in the process of merger with rival Asiana Airlines, could be interested in the 777X freighter at a later stage.
The South Korean flag carrier in April signed another widebody order with Airbus for 27 A350-1000s and six A350-900s.
Boeing clinched more widebody orders on Monday as Japan Airlines committed to ten 787-9 jets with options for a further 10.
“The order underscores our commitment to accelerating the introduction of the modern and more fuel-efficient aircraft to deliver unparalleled service to our customers and further reduce CO2 emissions,” said Yukio Nakagawa, JAL executive officer of procurement. “We greatly appreciate the strong relationship and support from Boeing, which has been instrumental in our efforts to modernize our fleet and expand our international routes.”
National Airlines signed an agreement to purchase four 777Fs to support its fleet growth plan. Two of the aircraft are scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2025 and two in the first of 2026, National Airlines founder and chairman Christopher Alf told AIN. The 777 freighters will join National Airlines’ fleet of nine 747-400Fs.
Alf said the future Boeing 777-8F would be an “ideal replacement” for its 747-400 fleet. “We put square boxes in round hole—the bigger the tube the better,” he said. But the U.S.-based carrier is not yet considering phasing out its 747-400Fs. “Even our oldest -400 has another 10 years to go,” he said. “National is actually in the market for more -400s.”
Boeing has delivered more than 270 B777 freighters to date. The OEM expects the first delivery of the long-awaited Boeing 777-8F in 2027. When confirmed, the National order will push the 777X freighter backlog to 59 aircraft.
Boeing also announced a narrowbody order from Luxair for two 737-10s with options for two more.
“The purchase of the 737-10 is another step towards Luxair positioning for its future with the investment in the latest airplane technology that will support Luxair’s growth plans and the decarbonization of our fleet. There is high commonality between the 737 Max models, and this allows for significant operational savings for the airline,” said Luxair CEO Gilles Feith.
“In addition to reducing overall fuel use and emissions, the 737 Max will help create a 50% smaller noise footprint by reducing noise generated by takeoffs and landings at Luxembourg Airport.”
Separately, Boeing and Lufthansa Technik signed an agreement to designate the Lufthansa Group's maintenance, repair, and overhaul division as the first Boeing-licensed service center (BLSC) for cabin modifications on 787 airplanes.
As a BLSC, Lufthansa Technik is licensed to design a new cabin interior, provide the associated engineering, and perform the integration. Lufthansa Technik will also cover certification of the modification projects. It intends to start its first 787 cabin modification project in 2025.