With Farnborough 2024 coming to a close, at first glance, Boeing not bringing their 777X and 737 MAX 10 would be considered by some a loss for the company. However 2024 proved to be a watershed for the beleaguered plane maker. This post will be different from other airshow recaps in the past because no one really “won” this airshow for the lack of a better term. For me the bigger story is how airlines are still confident about Boeing despite their problems. And with the recent announcement of Boeing hiring former Rockwell Collins CEO Robert “Kelly” Ortberg, things are finally starting to look up.
Korean Air's Big Order
On day one, Korean Air finalized an order that has been in the works for months. The order not only includes up to 30 787-10 Dreamliners (20 guaranteed with options for 10 more), but 20 777-9s as well. This is a massive win for the 777-9 program because with travel finally ramping up in the Asia-Pacific market, high-capacity aircraft are needed to meet demand. Skeptics thought because of the upcoming merger with Asiana that Korean Air wouldn’t order new Boeing widebodies due to ordering 33 A350s (27 A350-1000s and 6 A350-900s). However Korean Air plans to double dip by ordering both Boeing and Airbus widebodies and have them complement each other. But Korean Air isn’t the only Asian Carrier committing to more Boeing widebodies.
Japan Airlines Orders More Dreamliners
Japan Airlines also joined the fray by ordering up to 20 787-9 Dreamliners (10 confirmed with options for 10 more). Like Korean Air, some thought that JAL would pivot away from Boeing when they ordered the A350 series but that’s not the case here. They too are double dipping by ordering both Boeing and Airbus widebodies. And the Dreamliner is a perfect platform for JAL to utilize by opening new point-to-point routes between Tokyo and various cities in North America and Asia. While JAL and Korean Air helped Boeing stay strong in the Pacific Market, they also received more orders from Qatar.
Qatar Orders More 777-9s
At Farnborough 2024, no other order had more fanfare than Qatar’s order for 20 more 777-9s that give them a grand total of 94 orders of the 777X (60 777-9s and 34 777-8Fs).
But it isn’t just aircraft orders Qatar was focused on. They unveiled their new “Q-Suite 2.0” business class product that will be on the 777-9. These Q-Suites will have taller dividers, larger beds and an opportunity to combine suites adjacent to the windows. The Doha-based airline was already the winner of the Best Airline Award by Skytrax last month and they are showing no signs of slowing down. But it isn’t just passenger carriers ordering Boeing widebodies.
National Airlines Orders the 777F
Florida-based cargo carrier National Airlines also joined the fray in ordering 4 Boeing freighters. And while it is the 777F and not the 777-8F, it’s still significant for Boeing because National is committed to renewing their fleet. Currently they have 9 Boeing 747-400Fs and the 777F will be a perfect replacement. And who knows, if National likes the 777F it could possibly lead to a potential order for the 777-8F down the road.
Conclusion
While the orders for Boeing were modest at best in a normal year, considering that the company had a rough start in 2024 between the door issue as well as being prosecuted for the MAX crashes, this was a “morale victory” for the plane maker. The Korean Air and Japan Airlines orders mean that there is still a place for Boeing to do well in this lucrative market and having more Dreamliner and 777X orders in that region is proof of that. But what do you guys think? Was Farnborough 2024 a success for Boeing? Let me know in the comments below and keep looking to the sky!
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