Korean Air Commits to Order 103 Commercial Aircraft from Boeing

Korean Air and Boeing announced a preliminary agreement to purchase 103 commercial aircraft on Monday, including 50 737 MAX 10s, 25 787-10s, 20 777-9s, and eight 777-8F freighters.

When officially signed, the order will be the largest ever for the South Korean carrier and also Boeing’s largest widebody sale to a customer in Asia.

“This agreement with our long-standing partners, Boeing and GE, marks a pivotal moment for Korean Air,” said Walter Cho, chairman and CEO of Korean Air.

The announcement follows a common practice during the Donald Trump administration, which has pressured allied countries to offer compensation to ease import duties.

On Monday, South Korean President Kee Jae Myung met with Trump at the White House – the country is one of the hardest hit by the tariff war launched by the Republican.

Korean Air is a major operator of Boeing jets, with 24 737s of various versions, 747 and 777F freighters, 28 787 Dreamliners, and 31 first-generation 777 passenger jets.

The company, which recently acquired rival Asiana, also has 19 737 MAXs, 20 777-9s, and 36 787s pending delivery, part of an order announced in March.

Despite this, the relationship with Airbus is quite significant, with A220, A321neo, A330, A350, and A380 aircraft. The airline still has 40 A321neo and 31 A350s (27 of which are A350-100s) pending delivery.

Korean Air recently unveiled a new visual identity with a reimagining of the blue color displayed on its aircraft.

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