Korean Air Signs MOU for 20 Boeing 787-10s and 10 More 787-9s

Korean Air is to introduce 20 Boeing 787-10s and add 10 more Boeing 787-9s to its fleet.

The South Korean airline signed a MOU on Monday to purchase the 30 Boeing wide-body aircraft at the Le Bourget Airport, where the 2019 Paris Air Show is currently being held.

The decision reflects Korean Air’s continuous effort to modernize the fleet, and the new 787 airplanes will replace existing airplanes such as its A330s, 777s, and 747s.

The 68-meter long 787-10 is 5 meters longer than the 787-9 giving it around 15% more space for passengers and cargo. The airplane can accommodate up to 330 passengers, 40 more than the 787-9.

As the 787-10 covers a maximum distance of 11,910km, which is around 2,200km shorter than 787-9, Korean Air plans to optimize its fleet operations by employing 787-10 for mid-haul and 787-9 for long-haul routes.

The Boeing 787-10 is one of the newest aircraft in the aviation industry and only a few carriers currently have it in operation, namely: Singapore Airlines, Etihad, United Airlines and All Nippon Airways.

Korean Air will introduce the first 787-10 in 2021.

Currently, on each Boeing 787-9 plane, Korean Air offers a total of 269 seats, including six First Class, 18 Prestige, and 245 Economy.

“As we continue to innovate our products, the 787 Dreamliner family will become the backbone of our mid- and long-haul fleet for many years to come,” said Walter Cho, Korean Air’s Chairman.

Korean Air also supplies core parts on Boeing’s 787 program, such as the raked wing-tips — a critical part of the wing to reduce air resistance — and also the aft fuselage section of the airplane.

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