Korean Air continues to expand fleet
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Korean Air has continued its fleet expansion plans, placing a firm order with Airbus for five A330-200s twin-aisle aircraft. The latest purchase agreement increases the total numbers of A330s ordered by Korean Air to 30 aircraft, of which 23 have already been delivered. The newly-ordered aircraft will be powered by Pratt & Whitney PW 4000 engines.
“Korean Air’s latest order underscores the ongoing success of the A330 with leading airlines worldwide,” said John Leahy, Airbus’s Chief Operating Officer – Customers. “Combining the highest levels of reliability, outstanding medium and long range capabilities and the lowest operating costs in its class, the A330 is proving time and time again that it is the most efficient aircraft in service today in the mid-size wide-body category.”
Korean Air’s A330-200s are equipped with 226 seats – six in First Class, 24 in Prestige (Business Class) and 196 in Economy Class. The aircraft can fly up to 11,795km at cruising speeds of up to 883kph.
Meanwhile, Korean Air’s first Airbus A380 superjumbo aircraft has taken to the skies for the final series of flight tests before being introduced to the fleet next month. The flight and ground tests are being carried out from the Airbus facility in Hamburg, where the aircraft has already been painted with the Korean Air livery, and fitted with the airline’s interiors.
Once the final tests are complete, the A380 will fly to Toulouse for the delivery ceremony. Korean Air will become the sixth operator of the A380 when it begins flying the aircraft in June.
During the tests all cabin systems will be thoroughly tested, including air flow and air- conditioning, lighting, galleys, bathrooms, seats and in-flight entertainment. Special onboard passenger amenities unique to Korean Air’s layout will also be tested, including its onboard duty free area. Korean Air’s A380 will offer just 407 seats; 12 First Class suites and 301 Economy Class seats on the lower deck, with the whole of the upper deck devoted to business travellers, with 94 Prestige Class seats. By contrast, Singapore Airlines’ A380 offers 471 seats, while Emirates offers up to 517 in a three-class configuration, and Air
France can seat up to 538 passengers.
Korean Air has ordered 10 A380 aircraft with the first five to be delivered by the end of
2011 and an additional five by 2014. The carrier will initially operate the A380 from Seoul to destinations in Asia, followed by trans-Pacific services to New York and Los Angeles.
Korean Air currently operates a fleet of 104 passenger aircraft.
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