Korean Air orders record 103 Boeing jets

Korean Air announced on Monday a landmark commitment to purchase 103 Boeing aircraft, marking its largest-ever fleet order and a significant step toward modernizing its operations and bolstering its integration with Asiana Airlines. This historic agreement also represents Boeing's largest widebody order from an Asian carrier, underscoring the growing demand for fuel-efficient aircraft in the region.

The purchase includes a comprehensive mix of Boeing's next-generation aircraft:

• 20 777-9s
• 25 787-10 Dreamliners
• 50 737-10s
• 8 777-8 Freighters

This deal, once finalized, will notably mark Korean Air's first order for the advanced 777-8F cargo jet.

Walter Cho, chairman and CEO of Korean Air, emphasized the strategic importance of the acquisition.

"Acquiring these next-generation aircraft is the core of our fleet modernization strategy,” Cho said in a Boeing press release. “This investment is also a critical enabler for our future as a merged airline with Asiana."

This latest order dramatically expands Korean Air's future fleet plans. With an incremental order in March for 20 777-9s and 20 787-10s, Korean Air's total orders and commitments for Boeing airplanes in 2025 now surpass 150 units.

The new aircraft are designed to offer substantial operational and environmental benefits:

• 777-9: Capable of seating 426 passengers with a range of 13,510 km (7,295 nautical miles), this model is expected to reduce fuel use and emissions by 20% compared to the aircraft it replaces.
• 787-10: This variant of the Dreamliner can carry up to 336 passengers across a range of 11,730 km (6,330 nautical miles), known for its efficiency and passenger comfort.
• 737-10: As the largest model in the 737 MAX family, it can accommodate up to 230 passengers with a range of 5,740 km (3,100 nautical miles). It boasts a 20% reduction in fuel use and emissions over older models and offers the lowest cost per seat of any single-aisle airplane, providing flexibility for Korean Air's regional and shorter international routes.
• 777-8 Freighter: Poised to be the world's largest and most capable twin-engine freighter, it promises the highest payload, lowest operating cost per ton, and 30% better fuel efficiency and reduced emissions compared to its predecessors.

Korean Air currently operates 108 Boeing airplanes, including 737s, 747s, 777s, and 787s. With 72 Boeing jets already on order before this announcement, the carrier's total order book will swell to 175 aircraft once this new deal is finalized.