On the first day of the Farnborough Airshow, Korean Air signed a letter of intent (LoI) to purchase 50 Boeing wide-body airlines including the Boeing 777-9 (777X).
The deal will see Korean Air expand its fleet to meet market demand on its European and North American routes with 20 Boeing 777-9s, 20 Boeing 787-10s and the option for 10 more 787s.
“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,” said Walter Cho, Chairman and CEO of Korean Air. “This investment underscores our commitment to providing a best-in-class flying experience. These new airplanes will elevate passenger comfort and enhance operational efficiency, while significantly reducing carbon emissions, supporting our long-term commitment to sustainable aviation.”
In a two-class configuration, the Boeing 777-9 can carry up to 426 passengers with a range of 7,285nm making it ideal for the ultra-long-haul market from Asia. The 787-10, the largest Dreamliner variant, can carry up to 336 passengers with a range of 6,330nm.
“We are honored Korean Air has selected our largest, most efficient widebody airplanes to add capacity to its global network,” said Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Boeing airplanes have played an integral role with Korean Air over the past 50 years, and the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will continue to support the airline’s long-term goals for sustainability and continued growth.”
