Korean Air Commits to Record Purchase of 103 Boeing Airliners

Korean Air and Boeing have announced the airline's intention to acquire 103 of Boeing's fuel-efficient aircraft to modernise its fleet. This initiative aims to support the carrier's growth as it completes the integration with Asiana Airlines over the coming years.

Korean Air's commitment represents the airline's largest order to date and signifies Boeing's most substantial widebody order from an Asian carrier. Upon finalisation, this agreement will mark Korean Air's inaugural order for the 777-8F and is projected to support approximately 135,000 jobs across the United States. The order will be recorded on Boeing's Orders & Deliveries website upon completion and includes:

• 20 777-9s

• 25 787-10s

• 50 737-10s

• 8 777-8 Freighters

"This agreement with our long-standing partners, Boeing and GE, marks a pivotal moment for Korean Air," said Walter Cho, chairman and CEO of Korean Air. "Acquiring these next-generation aircraft is the core of our fleet modernisation strategy, delivering significant gains in fuel efficiency and enhancing the passenger experience across our global network. This investment is also a critical enabler for our future as a merged airline with Asiana, to ensure that our combined carrier is one of the most competitive airlines in the industry."

The agreement was formalised at the Korea-US Business Roundtable titled "Partnership for a Manufacturing Renaissance," under the leadership of Howard Lutnick, U.S. Secretary of Commerce, and Kim Jung-kwan, South Korea's Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE).

Korean Air's orders and commitments for Boeing aircraft in 2025 surpass 150 units, following the airline's incremental order in March for 20 777-9s and 20 787-10s.

"We are honoured to strengthen our partnership with Korean Air through this landmark agreement, which reflects the value and capabilities of Boeing's market-leading aircraft family," said Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Aeroplanes. "As Korean Air transitions to a larger unified carrier, we are committed to supporting the airline's growth with one of the world's most efficient fleets."

Key facts:

• The 777-9 can seat 426 passengers in a two-class configuration with a range of 13,510 km (7,295 nautical miles) and will reduce fuel use and emissions by 20% compared to the aircraft it will replace.

• The 787-10 can carry up to 336 passengers with a range of 6,330 nautical miles.

• The 737-10, the largest model in the 737 MAX family, can carry as many as 230 passengers with a range of up to 3,100 nautical miles, while reducing fuel use and emissions by 20% compared to the aircraft it replaces. The aircraft's efficiency and flexibility will enable Korean Air to serve more passengers on more routes with the lowest cost per seat of any single-aisle aircraft.

• The 777-8 Freighter will be the world's largest and most capable twin-engine freighter, offering the highest payload and lowest operating cost per tonne of any large freighter and 30% better fuel efficiency and emissions than the aircraft it will replace.

• Korean Air currently operates 108 Boeing aircraft, including 737s, 747s, 777s and 787s. With 72 Boeing jets on order, the carrier's order book will grow to 175 aircraft once the deal is finalised.

Korean Air's Aerospace Division supplies components for the 787 Dreamliner, including its unique raked wingtip, and produces parts for Boeing's 737 MAX, 767, and 777 aircraft series.