Deployed After 5 Years of Contract... All-Weather Use for Medium and Long Distances
The Boeing 787-10 model, the 'dream aircraft' personally overseen by Cho Won-tae, Chairman of Korean Air, is being delivered and deployed five years after the contract. After starting operations on routes to Japan, it is expected to establish itself as the main model leading Korean Air's next-generation fleet by expanding to long-haul routes.
Prioritized Deployment on Japan Routes... Expansion to North America and Europe
On the 22nd, Korean Air announced that the B787-10 model will be first deployed on the Incheon to Tokyo Narita route on the 25th. A total of 20 aircraft will be introduced and operated by 2027. Initially, it will be deployed on short-haul routes for stabilization, then utilized on the Vancouver, Canada route. In the future, it will also be deployed on routes to the western United States and Europe.
The B787-10 is the largest aircraft in Boeing's 787 'Dreamliner' series. Its fuselage length is 68.3 meters, about 5 meters longer than the Boeing 787-9. The maximum range is 11,175 km, approximately 1,400 km shorter than the B787-9. However, it can carry about 15% more passengers and cargo. It can be used across medium- and long-haul routes with high passenger demand.
By applying carbon composite materials, weight was reduced and durability increased. Fuel consumption per seat improved by more than 20% compared to existing aircraft of the same class, and carbon emissions were reduced by over 20%. The wing tips are equipped with 'raked wing tips' that enhance aerodynamic performance to prevent vortices. This reduces air resistance during flight, enabling stable flight while improving fuel efficiency. Korean Air directly participated in the production of this component. The engine is the same General Electric (GE) 'GEnx-1B74/75' used on the B787-9.
Upgraded Seating... Improved Convenience Features
Korean Air's B787-10 seats are configured with 36 Prestige Class seats and 289 Economy Class seats, totaling 325 seats. The 'Prestige Suite 2.0' seats are introduced for the first time. They feature traditional Korean patterns such as the Jogakbo patchwork design. The seats are essentially private spaces, with the upper part of the seat open. The seat length is extended to 78 inches (about 198 cm). The seat pitch is 46 inches, and the seat width is 21 inches. Next to the armrest, there are a table, personal storage compartment, wireless charger for mobile phones, dual voltage outlets (220V/110V), and two high-speed USB-C ports.
Economy Class features Korean Air's 'New Economy' seats arranged in a 3-3-3 layout. The seatback can recline up to 120 degrees, and the headrest is adjustable in multiple directions. The seat pitch is 32 inches, and the seat width is 17.2 inches.
The monitors for enjoying digital content during the flight have also been enlarged. Prestige Class monitors are 24 inches, comparable to first-class monitors on other aircraft, and include Bluetooth audio functionality. Economy Class is equipped with 13-inch monitors. All support 4K resolution, and in-flight Wi-Fi service is also provided.
For the inaugural flight, Korean Air decided to prioritize deploying highly experienced 787-9 captains to ensure safe operations. To this end, advanced training on the 787 model was conducted for all 787 flight crew members during the regular training session in the first half of the year.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
