Korean Air has today announced an order for 33 state-of-the art Airbus A350 Family aircraft, including 27 A350-1000s and six A350-900s, in a deal valued at $13.7 billion.
On Thursday (March 21, 2024), Korean Air announced tat they will sign a contract for the purchase of 33 state-of-the-art Airbus A350 Family aircraft, including 27 A350-1000s and six A350-900s, in a deal valued at $13.7 billion. The new jets will bolster the carrier’s long-haul fleet as they gradually retire older generation aircraft. Procurement of the new more environmentally friendly aircraft aligns with Korean Air’s sustainability goals, and is also seen as preparation for the integration of Asiana Airlines.
The largest member of the A350 Family, the A350-1000 can accommodate 350-410 passengers in a standard three-class configuration. Constructed with advanced composite materials, the aircraft delivers a fuel use and emissions reduction of up to 25 percent, when compared to previous generation similar capacity aircraft. Offering the longest range of any existing passenger jet, the A350-1000 can operate up to 8,639 nautical miles (16,000 km) with a full payload. Around seven meters shorter than the larger derivative, the A350-900 typically seats 300-350 passengers in a three class layout, and has a range of up to 8,299 nautical miles (15,370 km).
In addition to the substantial Airbus A350 Family order, Korean Air plans on introducing 50 Airbus A321neos, 10 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, and 30 Boeing 737-8 MAX jets as part of their fleet modernization and sustainability plans.
Source: Korean Air