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WASHINGTON — Korean Air has confirmed an order for 103 Boeing aircraft, marking the largest purchase in the airline’s history. The deal, announced Monday, includes a mix of 787, 777, and 737 passenger jets and is intended to modernize the carrier’s fleet amid its merger with Asiana Airlines.
The agreement was unveiled shortly after South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met with former U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington to discuss trade relations, including recent U.S. tariffs of 15% on South Korean goods. The announcement took place during a bilateral meeting attended by U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and South Korea’s Trade Minister Kim Jung-kwan.
Boeing’s Commercial Airplanes CEO Stephanie Pope described the order as a “landmark agreement,” noting it could support approximately 135,000 jobs across the United States. Boeing, which employs over 170,000 people globally, has seen a surge in international orders amid ongoing trade negotiations with the Trump administration.
With this latest purchase, Korean Air has placed more than 150 aircraft orders and commitments with Boeing in 2025. The deal is part of a broader trend, as other nations engaged in trade talks with Washington have also announced significant Boeing acquisitions, contributing to the company’s recent sales lead over European rival Airbus.
