Korean Air becomes first airline in the world to operate both freighter types

Boeing and Korean Air today celebrated delivery of the airline's first 747-8 and 777 Freighters. With the milestone delivery, Korean Air becomes the first airline in the world to operate both the 747-8 and 777 Freighters.



"We are very proud to become the first airline in the world to have the combined strengths of these two freighters in its fleet," said Yang Ho Cho, chairman of Korean Air. "Our cargo fleet is being improved by these fuel-saving planes. They can help reduce carbon emissions by 17 percent and this supports our goal to be a responsible citizen of the world."

Korea's flagship carrier is the first Boeing customer to order both variations of the new 747-8 airplane and is also a key supplier partner on this new airplane program.

"Boeing is honored to celebrate this historic delivery with YH Cho and the Korean Air family," said Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "It is hard to imagine reaching this day without the leadership of YH and his vision to transform Korean Air into one of the best global airlines in the world."

The 747-8 Freighter offers a range of 4,390 nautical miles (8,130 km) and a maximum structural payload capacity of 154 tons (140 tonnes), while offering an additional 4,221 cubic feet (120 m3) and 16 percent more revenue cargo volume than the 747-400 Freighter.

The twin-engine Boeing 777 Freighter is the most fuel-efficient airplane with leading economic and environmental performance in its category. It has a cargo capacity of 103 metric tons (113 tons) with a range of 9,038 kilometers (4,880 nautical miles).

Korean Air plans to operate the 747-8 Freighter on its transpacific route, with stops in Osaka and Narita, Japan, Los Angeles and San Francisco. The 777 Freighter is Korean Air's first twin-engine freighter and will allow the airline to open into new markets in Europe, including Vienna, Frankfurt and London.

News Release Issued: EVERETT, Wash., Feb. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/

Boeing and Korean Air today announced an order for two additional Next-Generation 737-900ER (extended range) jetliners. The new airplanes will be fitted with the new Boeing Sky Interior and the order is valued at $171.6 million at Boeing list prices.



"The Next-Generation 737-900ER complements Korean Air's fleet of more than 80 Boeing airplanes," said Marlin Dailey, vice president of Sales and Marketing, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "The new Boeing Sky Interior will enable Korean Air to further enhance the premium flying experience it provides to its passengers."

Korea's flag carrier is in the process of revamping its fleet with technologically advanced airplanes – having completed a cabin refurbishment project for its mid- to long-haul flights early this year. The addition of Boeing's Next-Generation 737-900ER will further improve Korean Air's premium service strategy.

The Boeing 737-900ER is the newest member of the Next-Generation 737 airplane family. It also is the highest capacity, longest-range airplane in Boeing's single-aisle fleet. New aerodynamic and structural design changes allow the airplane to carry up to 180 passengers in a two-class layout. The advanced-technology wing design that helps increase fuel capacity and efficiency provides substantial economic advantages over competing models.

The Next-Generation 737 Boeing Sky Interior is the latest in a series of enhancements for both airlines and passengers. It introduces new lighting and curving architecture that create a distinctive entry way. Passengers will enjoy a more open cabin feel and an environment simulated by light-emitting diode (LED) lighting. The new interior also features newly improved and expanded pivot bins which enables passengers to load more baggage and helps keep disturbances to aisle seat passengers to a minimum.

Korean Air currently operates two 737-900ERs as well as a combination of Next-Generation 737-800s and -900s in its single-aisle fleet. The airline's fleet consists of 82 Boeing jets. Boeing Flight Services partners with Korean Air to provide Next-Generation 737 flight training for Korean Air's crews at the airline's training facility in Incheon.

News Release Issued: SEATTLE, Aug. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/

Korean Air Converts Letter of Intent to Firm Order for Bombardier CSeries Aircraft

Bombardier Aerospace announced today that the Letter of Intent (LOI) from Korean Air signed on June 21 at the 2011 Paris Air Show to acquire 10CS300 airliners has now been converted into a firm order. The transaction also includes options on 10 CS300 aircraft and purchase rights for an additional 10 CS300 aircraft.



The firm order makes Korean Air, South Korea’s flagship airline, the launch customer for the CSeries aircraft in Asia. The airline currently operates a fleet of 137 passenger and cargo jet aircraft to 115 cities in 39 countries.

“Korean Air’s selection of the CSeries aircraft to meet its route expansion requirements in the Asia-Pacific market, and our growing list of customers in the European and North American markets are testaments to the high value and operational flexibility of the CSeries aircraft program,” said Gary R. Scott, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.

Korean Air’s CS300 aircraft will be powered by Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan PW1521G engines. Designed for the growing 100- to 149-seat market, the CSeries family of aircraft combines advanced materials, leading-edge technology and proven methods to meet commercial airline requirements in 2013 and beyond.

The CSeries aircraft family will offer a 15* per cent cash operating cost advantage and a 20* per cent fuel burn advantage, greatly reduced noise and emissions as well as superior operational flexibility, exceptional airfield performance and a range of 2,950 nm (5,463 km). It will also provide passengers with widebody-style seating in a single-aisle aircraft.

The Korean Air transaction increases firm orders for the CSeries family of airliners to 133 aircraft. Other customers that have firm orders for CSeries aircraft include Republic Airways (40 CS300 aircraft), Deutsche Lufthansa AG (30 CS100 aircraft), Lease Corporation International Group (17 CS300 and three CS100 aircraft), Braathens Aviation (five CS100 and five CS300 aircraft), a well-established, unidentified airline (three CS100 aircraft), an unidentified major network carrier (10 CS100 aircraft) and an unidentified European customer (10 CS100 aircraft). These customers have also taken 119 options and 10 purchase rights on CSeries jetliners.

Bombardier press release, July 29, 2011 — Toronto

Carrier to introduce new 737 Boeing Sky Interior on Osaka and Tokyo routes

Boeing and Korean Air celebrated two milestone deliveries this month, beginning with the airline's 30th 777, a 777-300ER (extended range) and its first Next-Generation 737-900ER (extended range). The latter marks the airline's first 737 with the new Boeing Sky Interior.



"Korean Air is focused on exceeding our customers' expectations," said Kim Sung Gab, Delivery Team Leader & Managing VP, Korean Air. "The enhancements in passenger comfort and efficiency of these new airplanes, in addition to Boeing's new Sky Interior, will create a more comfortable flying experience that compliments Korean Air's vision of 'Excellence in Flight.'"

The Boeing 737-900ER is the newest member of the Next-Generation 737 airplane family and has the highest capacity with longest-range in Boeing's single-aisle fleet. The advanced-technology wing design helps increase fuel capacity and efficiency provides substantial economic advantages over competing models.

Korea's flagship carrier plans to introduce its first 737-900ER with the innovative Boeing Sky Interior to passengers on their Osaka Kansai and Tokyo Haneda routes later this year. The carrier will receive a second Boeing 737-900ER this week.

"This is another great milestone in Boeing's long and successful partnership with Korean Air," said Marlin Dailey, vice president of Sales and Marketing, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "From their first 737-900ER with the Boeing Sky Interior to its 30th 777 in operation, Korean Air continues to demonstrate its commitment to excellence in terms of both fleet operations and customer service."

The 737 Boeing Sky Interior features a new cabin with different lighting schemes ranging from a soft sky blue to a calm and relaxing pallet of sunset colors. The innovative change in cabin lighting uses brighter LED (light emitting diode) lights that last 10 times longer than the previous standard of lights.

Korean Air currently operates 30 Boeing 777 airplanes and has an additional 11 on order. The 777 is the world's most successful twin-engine, long-haul airplane. It is 19 percent lighter than its closest competitor, produces 22 percent less carbon dioxide per seat and costs 20 percent less to operate per seat.

A total of 103 Boeing airplanes are in the Korean Air fleet today. With an average fleet age of just over 10 years, the airline maintains one of the youngest fleets among global airlines in operation today.

News Release Issued: SEATTLE, June 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/

Hundreds of extra jobs

Korean Air Cargo, the world’s largest cargo carrier, has announced the expansion of their activities at Brussels Airport. The current frequency of three cargo flights a week between Brussels and South Korea will be increased to four with immediate effect, building up to nine flights a week by the coming winter season.

The announced expansion gives a big boost to the full freighter activity at Brussels Airport. The additional flights will carry 60,000 tonnes of extra airfreight to and from their European hub at Brucargo. “This expansion represents about 10 percent of the total airfreight volume that is currently carried via Brussels Airport and will considerably increase employment both at the airport and in the rest of the country”, says Jos Stroobants, Director Aviation Development with The Brussels Airport Company.

The additional cargo capacity will create some 300 direct jobs at Brussels Airport, mainly with the handling companies, the cargo forwarders and other cargo companies that take part in the logistic chain and commercial activities of Korean Air Cargo. Moreover it is expected that the expansion of their cargo activity will create another 600 jobs outside of the airport”. “This is a conservative estimate”, explains Stroobants. “Once this operation is at cruising speed, it will provide at least 1,000 jobs. We have been making every effort to get Brucargo back among the top of European cargo airports. Today Brussels Airport is finally able to offer its existing and new cargo clients a top product which is matched at few other locations in Europe”.

Korean Air Cargo is one of the first carriers in the world to put the new Boeing 747-8F into commercial use. Not only does the plane have a higher payload, it also uses 16% less fuel and is 30% quieter than the previous generation of the cargo jumbo. Brussels Airport is one of the first airport in Europe to be accredited 747-8F compatible.

Brussels Airport Press release, 23 May 2011