Korean Air is on fairly the vast physique plane purchasing spree. The airline lately positioned an order for 33 Airbus A350s, and has now positioned an order for 2 of Boeing’s vast physique plane variants…
Korean Air orders as much as 50 Boeing vast physique jets
Korean Air has simply positioned an order for as much as 50 Boeing jets. This order is comprised of the next:
- Korean Air has positioned a agency order for 20 Boeing 777-9s; the 777-9 is the bigger variant of the brand new Boeing 777X, which is anticipated to be licensed in 2025, and would be the largest passenger aircraft in manufacturing sooner or later
- Korean Air has positioned a agency order for 20 Boeing 787-10s, with choices for an extra 10 of those jets; the 787-10 is the very best capability and shortest vary model of the favored 787 Dreamliner household of plane
Deliveries of those planes are anticipated to begin in 2028, so we’re nonetheless a methods off from them becoming a member of the service’s fleet. That is the primary time that Korean Air has ordered the 777-9, whereas it’s a top-up order of the 787-10, as Korean Air already has 20 of these planes on order, and the primary is about to enter service (with the service’s new enterprise class).
One other 777X order is massive information for Boeing, because the plane producer hasn’t seen a lot curiosity for its new largest jets in recent times, given all the problems. Ethiopian Airways lately positioned an order for some 777Xs, however that’s about it.
Korean Air is within the means of making an attempt to amass Asiana, to create a South Korean mega service. The corporate hopes that this deal will likely be finalized by the tip of 2024, because the regulatory approval course of has been way more drawn out than anticipated. This newest plane order is being positioned as a part of a fleet restructuring plan, in hopes of permitting the mixed airline to streamline its fleet and develop sooner or later.
How these Boeing planes match into Korean Air’s fleet
Korean Air and Asiana are each form of all over with regards to their vast physique fleets:
- Asiana flies the A330-200, A330-300, A350-900, A380, 747-400, 767-300, and 777-200ER, and likewise has the A350-1000 on order
- Korean Air flies the A330-200, A330-300, A380, 747-8, 777-200, 777-300, 777-300ER, and 787-9, and is about to begin flying the 787-10
As you possibly can see, each carriers have fairly the various fleet. Because the airways mix, we all know the objective is to modernize the fleet. Executives have additionally talked in regards to the significance of simplifying the fleet, although I’m undecided to what extent that’s actually taking place right here, particularly with the airline ordering each the A350-1000 and 777-9.
Right here’s how I see this enjoying out manner sooner or later (we’re speaking the early 2030s):
- The 777-9 will ultimately grow to be Korean Air’s flagship extremely lengthy haul plane, changing planes just like the A380 and 747-8
- The A350-1000 will grow to be the secondary extremely lengthy haul plane, changing many routes at present operated by the 777-300ER
- The 787-10 will largely be used for top demand regional routes, plus for medium and lengthy haul routes with barely decrease demand (however not for extremely lengthy haul flights)
It appears that evidently the latest orders for all these jets are largely meant to interchange 777s. Asiana’s 777s are a mean of over 16 years outdated, whereas Korean Air’s 777s are a mean of over 12 years outdated.
Nevertheless, there’s fairly a little bit of distinction in age with regards to variants in Korean Air’s fleet — 777-200s are a mean of practically 19 years outdated, 777-300s are a mean of practically 25 years outdated, and 777-300ERs are a mean of beneath 10 years outdated. In order that’s why I imagine the 787-10s are meant to interchange most of the regional 777s.
Backside line
Korean Air has positioned an order for as much as 50 Boeing plane. This features a agency order for 20 777-9s, plus a agency order for 20 787-10s, with an extra 10 choices. These planes will likely be delivered beginning in 2028.
While you mix this with Korean Air’s latest Airbus A350 order, the airline has fairly the vast physique order e-book. I’m curious to see how Korean Air finally ends up configuring all these jets.
What do you make of Korean Air’s Boeing 777-9 and 787-10 order?
