Korean Air finalized an agreement with Boeing to order 20 787 Dreamliner airplanes, including 10 each of the 787-10 and 787-9 models. The deal is valued at US$6.3 billion according to list prices.
When combined with another agreement to lease 10 additional 787-10 jets from Air Lease Corporation, Korean Air will quadruple its Dreamliner fleet when the new Boeing agreement is completed.
Korean Air is one of the largest transpacific carriers in Asia with 16 non-stop routes to North America. The 787-10 aircraft will be added to its long-haul fleet to complement existing 787-9 and 777 airplanes.
The twin-aisle 787-10 is the largest member of the Dreamliner family. At 224 feet long (68 metres), the 787-10 can serve up to 330 passengers in a standard two-class configuration, about 40 more than the 787-9.
“As we continue to innovate our product offering, the 787 Dreamliner family will become the backbone of our mid-and long-haul fleet for many years to come,” said Walter Cho, chairman of Korean Air. “In addition to 25 per cent improved fuel efficiency, the stretched 787-10 offers around 15 per cent more space for passengers and cargo than our 787-9s, which will be critical to our long-term business goals.”
With a fleet of 168 aircraft, Korean Air is noted as one of the world’s Top 20 airlines and serves 126 destinations in 44 countries worldwide. “With the 747-8, 777 and now the 787 Dreamliner family, Korean Air operates one of the most efficient and comprehensive widebody fleets in the world,” said Ihssane Mounir, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing.
