Korean Air finalizes $44.6 billion order for 103 Boeing aircraft

September 16, 2026 at 08:01 AM2 min

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Korean Air finalized a $44.6 billion order for 103 Boeing aircraft on September 16 in Seoul. The deal includes 777X, 787 Dreamliner and 737 MAX 10 jets, fulfilling an intent announced in August 2025. The order expands Korean Air's widebody fleet by 46% and nearly doubles its narrowbody fleet.

Key Facts

The order is worth $44.6 billion and was signed on September 16 in Seoul.
Korean Air will receive 20 Boeing 777-9s, 25 787-10s, 50 737 MAX 10s, and 8 777-8F freighters.
Boeing says the order is its largest-ever widebody commitment from an Asian airline.
The order expands Korean Air's widebody fleet by 46% and almost doubles its narrowbody fleet.
Walter Cho, Chairman and CEO of Korean Air, said the aircraft are core to the airline's fleet modernization strategy.

Order Details

Korean Air finalized its largest aircraft order in history, officially signing for 103 Boeing aircraft. The deal, announced September 16 in Seoul, is worth $44.6 billion. It consists of the Boeing 777X, 787 Dreamliner, and 737 MAX 10, fulfilling an intent to order announced in August 2025. Boeing says the order represents its largest-ever widebody commitment from an Asian airline. The order is a result of bilateral trade negotiations between the United States and the Republic of Korea.

Fleet Expansion

Of the 103 aircraft, 95 are passenger aircraft: 20 Boeing 777-9s, 25 787-10s, and 50 737 MAX 10s. The new 777-9s bring Korean Air's total 777-9 order book to 40 airframes and will serve as the airline's long-haul flagship once certified, currently slated for early 2027. The 787-10s will offer additional capacity on high-demand medium-haul routes within Asia. The 50 737 MAX 10 aircraft, also expected to be certified by early 2027, will join Korean Air's existing 23 737 family aircraft. The remaining 8 aircraft are Boeing 777-8F freighters, marking a new addition to the Korean Air cargo fleet.

Executive Statement

Walter Cho, Chairman and CEO of Korean Air, commented on the order. He said acquiring these next-generation aircraft is the core of the airline's fleet modernization strategy. Cho added that the aircraft deliver significant gains in fuel efficiency and enhance the passenger experience across the global network.