SEOUL- Flag carrier Korean Air (KE) introduces Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner to its fleet. The airline announced the first flight on the Incheon (ICN), Seoul-Tokyo Narita (NRT), Japan route this Thursday (July 25, 2024).
This aircraft marks the largest and most advanced in the 787 series.
Korean Air 787-10
The 787-10 boasts a 68.3-meter fuselage, extending five meters beyond the 787-9 model. This expansion allows for a 15 percent increase in passenger and cargo capacity. However, the maximum range decreases to 11,175 kilometers, about 1,400 kilometers less than its predecessor.
Seoul-based carrier took delivery of aircraft from Charleston (CHS) on July 20, 2024. Korean Air’s first Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner is registered as HL8515 and is just 2 months old and GEnX-1B powers it.
The national carrier aims to build a fleet of 20 Boeing 787-10 aircraft by 2027.
New Prestige 2.0 Seats
Korean Air unveils its new Boeing 787-10 aircraft, featuring 325 seats split between 36 Prestige Class and 289 economy seats. The airline introduces “Prestige Suites 2.0,” a luxurious upgrade to its business class offering.
The Prestige Suites 2.0 design incorporates traditional Korean elements, including the “Jogakbo” patchwork, showcasing Korea’s cultural heritage.
The interior color scheme blends cream inspired by Joseon Dynasty porcelain with gold reminiscent of brassware, creating an elegant atmosphere. Charcoal and black shades with blue tints add stability to the design.
Korean Air prioritizes passenger privacy in the new Prestige Suites 2.0. Each seat functions as an independent space with an open top, balancing openness and privacy.
The airline departs from its traditional light blue color scheme, opting for deep brown Prestige Class seats in the 787-10.
Korean Air enhances passenger comfort with its new Boeing 787-10 seating configurations. Prestige Class seats fully recline to 180 degrees, creating a flat bed. These seats extend 198 cm in length, with a 117 cm pitch and 53 cm width, maximizing personal space.
Prestige Class amenities include expanded armrest space, a table for small items, personal storage, wireless phone charging, dual 220V/110V outlets, and two high-speed USB-C ports.
Economy class features a 3-3-3 seat layout with bold, colorful patterns. These seats recline to 120 degrees and offer multi-directional adjustable headrests. Economy seats provide an 81 cm pitch and 44 cm width.
Both classes boast high-resolution 4K monitors for improved in-flight entertainment. Prestige Class passengers enjoy 60 cm screens with Bluetooth audio support. Economy seats feature 33 cm monitors, 5 cm larger than previous models. The aircraft also offers in-flight Wi-Fi service.
Where will Korean Air Fly its 787-10?
Korean Air plans to utilize the 787-10 on high-demand medium to long-haul routes. The airline’s pilots experienced with the 787-9 will operate initial flights.
Well, Initial operations will focus on short-haul routes to ensure stability before expanding to long-haul destinations like Seoul Incheon to Vancouver (YVR).
Vancouver serves as a crucial gateway to western Canada, attracting significant travel demand and transit traffic from Southeast Asia. Korean Air aims to extend 787-10 service to high-demand routes in the western United States and Europe.
The 787-10 boasts significant environmental improvements. Its use of carbon composite materials instead of aluminum alloys results in a lighter, more durable aircraft. This design choice improves fuel efficiency by over 20 percent per seat and reduces carbon emissions by more than 20 percent.
Korean Air’s Aerospace Division in Busan contributes key components to the 787-10. These include the aft body for the tail section, raked wingtips for enhanced fuel efficiency, and flap support fairings under the wings.
The introduction of the 787-10 to Korean Air’s fleet marks a significant step in the airline’s modernization efforts.
Will you fly Korean Air’s new 787-10 that features Prestige 2.0 Seats? Let us know your favorite airline and aircraft in the comments section below.
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