Korean Air Considers Adding Boeing 777X to Its Fleet Amid Expansion Plans

Korean Air is reportedly in discussions to acquire at least ten Boeing 777X aircraft, according to sources cited by Reuters. This potential order comes shortly after the airline’s significant purchase of twenty-seven Airbus A350-1000s and six A350-900s earlier in the month, underscoring Korean Air’s ambitious fleet expansion strategy.

In a recent interview with CNBC, Korean Air CEO Walter Cho expressed satisfaction with their long-standing relationship with Boeing, particularly highlighting the performance of their existing Boeing 777 fleet. “We’ve been their customer, we’ve been their user for a long, long time, [and] a satisfied customer of their Boeing 777s,” Cho remarked. He hinted at imminent announcements regarding further acquisitions, suggesting that the airline is poised to continue its fleet modernization and growth.

Although specific details of the negotiations remain undisclosed, a Korean Air spokesperson confirmed to ch-aviation that the airline is actively engaged in discussions with aircraft manufacturers, yet refrained from providing further insights into the ongoing talks.

The Boeing 777X, now eleven years into its development, is anticipated to enter production next year. Boeing has already secured orders for 481 units of the type, with Emirates (EK, Dubai International) being the largest customer with 205 orders. Designed to be the world’s largest twin-engine jet, the Boeing 777-9 variant of the 777X series will have the capacity to carry over 420 passengers in a two-class configuration, making it a valuable asset for major airlines looking to enhance long-haul travel options.

Currently, Korean Air operates a diverse fleet that includes 107 aircraft supplied by Boeing, alongside a growing number of Airbus aircraft. This includes ten A220-300s, ten A321-200NX, five A330-200s, twenty-one A330-300s, and ten A380-800s, with additional orders for thirty-nine A321-200N and one A321-200NX from Airbus. The airline’s Boeing fleet is set to expand with outstanding orders for twenty-two Boeing 737-8s, twenty Boeing 787-10s, and seven Boeing 787-9s.

This ongoing fleet expansion reflects Korean Air’s commitment to enhancing its global service capabilities and maintaining a modern, efficient fleet to better serve its customers worldwide. The potential addition of the Boeing 777X would further solidify its position as a leading carrier in the competitive international aviation market.