EVERETT, Wash., Aug. 25, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE:
BA] and Korean Air today marked the delivery of the airline's first
747-8 Intercontinental. The new fuel-efficient jet is the first of
10 747-8 passenger airplanes the carrier has on order.
"This new aircraft delivers better fuel economy," said
Walter Cho, Executive Vice President
and Chief Marketing Officer, Korean Air. "That is important to a
global airline such as ours. And it supports our goal to build and
operate a first-class fleet of world-class aircraft."
With this delivery, Korean Air becomes the first airline in the
world to operate both the passenger and freighter versions of the
747-8. Korean Air currently operates seven 747-8 Freighters.
"Korean Air has been a valued Boeing customer for more than 40
years and we are honored to celebrate yet another milestone
delivery together with their first 747-8 Intercontinental," said
Ray Conner, president and CEO of
Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "As one of the few airlines that have
operated almost all models of the 747 family, we are excited that
Korean Air is extending the tradition with our newest 747-8
Intercontinental. I am confident that the 747-8 will continue to
play an important role in Korean Air's long-term success."
Korea's flag carrier currently operates a fleet of 87 Boeing
passenger airplanes that includes 737, 747 and 777s. The airline
also operates an all-Boeing cargo fleet of 28 747-400, 747-8 and
777 Freighters.
With a range of 7,730 nautical miles (14,310 km), the 747-8
Intercontinental offers 16 percent savings in fuel consumption and
emissions over its predecessor, the 747-400, while generating 30
percent less noise. The airplane also features an all-new, 787
Dreamliner-inspired interior that includes a new curved, upswept
architecture giving passengers a greater feeling of space and
comfort.
Korean Air's jet is configured with 368 seats and features the
brand new First Class Kosmo Suite
2.0, which include a sliding door and higher partitions to provide
added privacy for passengers. The suites are also equipped with
updated in-flight entertainment systems, with large 24-inch
high-definition monitors and new handheld touch remotes.
The airline's Business Class Prestige Suites will feature
staggered seating and privacy panels, along with 18-inch high
definition touch screens.
Korean Air's Aerospace Division is a key Boeing partner on both
the 747-8 and 787 programs, supplying the distinctive raked
wing-tips for each model. They are also one of two suppliers
producing the new 737 MAX Advanced Technology (AT) Winglet.
Korean Air, with a fleet of 161 aircraft, is one of the world's
top 20 airlines, and operates more than 430 flights per day to 128
cities in 45 countries. It is a founding member of the SkyTeam
alliance, which together with its 20 members, offers its 612
million annual passengers a worldwide system of more than 16,000
daily flights covering 1,052 destinations in 177 countries.
Contact:
Kevin Yoo
Boeing Commercial Airplanes Communications
+1 206-766-2906
kevin.k.yoo@boeing.com
Nathan Cho
Korean Air Corporate Communications
+822-2656-7252
hmookcho@koreanair.com
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boeing-korean-air-celebrate-the-delivery-of-airlines-first-747-8-intercontinental-300133012.html
SOURCE Boeing