Korean Air is reportedly in ongoing discussions with Boeing to purchase at least ten Boeing 777X aircraft, according to sources cited by Reuters. The potential order follows on the heels of Korean Air’s order for 33 Airbus A350 aircraft in April 2024, a significant acquisition that marked a shift towards Airbus, Boeing’s European rival. Before that, the last time Korean Air ordered Boeing aircraft was in July 2019, when the airline purchased 20 Boeing 787 aircraft.
The 777X is Boeing’s latest wide-body aircraft, and so far in 2024, the manufacturer has secured two separate orders for the aircraft type. In March, Ethiopian Airlines purchased up to 20 777X aircraft, and an unidentified customer(s) also purchased 20 of the aircraft during the same month. As of March 31, Boeing has a total of 43 net orders for the 777-8, 55 for the 777-8F, and 383 for the 777-9.
Korean Air’s aging fleet includes Airbus A380s and Boeing 747-8s, which will need to be replaced in the coming years. The airline’s ten Airbus A380s have an average age of 12.1 years, and its passenger Boeing 747-8s average 8.1 years on an airframe. The airline’s Boeing 747-8 aircraft are configured with six first class, 48 business class, and 314 economy class seats, while its Airbus A380s have 407 seats, including 12 first class, 94 business class, and 301 economy class seats.
Boeing’s 777-9 is typically configured with a two-class layout that can accommodate 426 passengers, while the 777-8 has a capacity of up to 395 travelers in a similar configuration. The report did not specify which version of the 777X Korean Air is interested in acquiring.
Boeing has resumed production of the 777X, and according to the manufacturer, the program remains on track. However, Tim Clark, President of Emirates, warned that first deliveries of the Boeing 777X could slip to late 2025 or early 2026, further delaying the aircraft program that was initially scheduled to enter service in 2020.
