KOREAN Air has announced plans to purchase 103 aircraft from Boeing as part of a $50 billion investment agreement, marking the airline’s largest-ever order, reports AeroTime.
In a statement, the airline said the deal was formalised at a signing ceremony in Washington on Monday. The announcement came just hours after South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met with US President Donald Trump at the White House to discuss the 15 per cent tariff imposed on South Korean imports by the US in July.
“As one of America’s largest trading partners, the Republic of Korea knows well the power of US ingenuity and manufacturing, and this deal further strengthens our economic ties,” undersecretary of commerce for international trade William Kimmitt said in a statement, published by the International Trade Administration (ITA) on Monday.
The aircraft purchase order includes 20 Boeing 777-9s, 25 Boeing 787-10s, 50 Boeing 737-10s, and eight Boeing 777-8F freighters. As such, it would be Boeing’s biggest widebody order from an Asian carrier. The aircraft are scheduled for phased delivery through to the end of 2030.
“We are honoured to strengthen our partnership with Korean Air through this landmark agreement,” said Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “As Korean Air transitions to a larger unified carrier, we are committed to supporting the airline’s growth with one of the world’s most efficient fleets.”
According to the airline, the aircraft acquisition is a “proactive measure” to support Korean Air’s long-term growth following its integration with Asiana Airlines.
In addition to the new aircraft, Korean Air said it will acquire 11 spare engines from GE Aerospace and eight from CFM International. The airline will also receive 20 years of engine maintenance service from GE Aerospace for 28 aircraft.
The total investment of the deal is valued at approximately $50bn – $36.2bn for Boeing aircraft, $690 million for 19 spare engines and an additional $13bn for the 20-year engine maintenance service contract.
When finalised, the deal will mark Korean Air’s first order for the 777-8F and will support an estimated 135,000 jobs across the US.
Korean Air currently operates 108 Boeing aircraft, which include 737s, 747s, 777s, and 787s. With 72 Boeing jets on order, the carrier’s order book will increase to 175 aircraft once the deal is finalised.
So far in 2025, Korean Air has placed an order for more than 150 Boeing aircraft, which includes 20 777-9s and 20 787-10s, with options for 10 additional 787 Dreamliners in the future, following its last order made in March 2025.
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