Airlines

Korean Air to acquire up to 50 Boeing widebody aircraft

South Korean flag carrier aims to modernize fleet ahead of merger with Asiana Airlines

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Korean Air Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner and Boeing 777-9 aircraft in-flight. (Photo: Boeing)

Korean Air has announced its intention to purchase up to 50 Boeing widebody aircraft, including 20 777-9s and 20 787-10 Dreamliners, with options for 10 additional 787-10s.

The commitment, revealed at the Farnborough International Airshow on July 22, 2024, marks a significant step in the airline’s fleet modernization strategy.

The order, once finalized, will make Korean Air the newest customer for the 777X family. The airline plans to use these new aircraft to expand its long-haul capabilities and enhance its route network, particularly to high-demand markets in Europe and North America.

Walter Cho, Chairman and CEO of Korean Air, emphasized the importance of this fleet upgrade: “The addition of the Boeing 777-9 and 787-10 aircraft marks a significant milestone in our strategic objective to expand and upgrade our fleet. These new airplanes will elevate passenger comfort and enhance operational efficiency, while significantly reducing carbon emissions.”

The 777-9, Boeing’s latest widebody offering, can accommodate 426 passengers in a two-class configuration and has a range of 7,285 nautical miles. The 787-10, the largest variant of the Dreamliner family, can carry up to 336 passengers with a range of 6,330 nautical miles.

Boeing claims that the 777-9 will achieve 10% better fuel efficiency, CO2 emissions, and operating costs compared to competing aircraft. The company also states that 787 operators have avoided more than 169 billion pounds in CO2 emissions since the aircraft entered service.

This fleet expansion comes as Korean Air prepares for its anticipated merger with Asiana Airlines, another major South Korean carrier. The new aircraft are expected to provide flexibility to the combined airline’s future global network.

Korean Air, recently rated the second-best airline globally by AirlineRatings.com, plans to feature new business class suites and Wi-Fi capability on its 787-10s.

Written by
Dirk Andrei Salcedo

Dirk is the founder and editor-in-chief of Aviation Updates Philippines (AUP), a platform dedicated to providing the latest news and insights on the aviation industry in the Philippines. With a strong passion for aviation and a background in computer engineering, he manages all aspects of AUP, from website development to content curation.

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