The Seattle Times is reporting that Korean Air Lines has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to purchase five 747-8 Intercontinental aircraft, the passenger version of the 747-8.

Amazingly enough, it’s been 3 years since Boeing landed an order for the passenger version of the aircraft and while this signals some movement on that model, all is not what it seems here.  You see, without background, this is an order that should have been Airbus’ to lose given the density of many of Korean Air Lines routes. 

Does it make a difference that Korean Air Lines also makes part of the Boeing 747-8?  I’m sure it does.  While I’m confident Korean Air Lines wouldn’t make an order for an aircraft that was fundamentally unsuitable for the airline’s routes, I’m equally sure that this was Boeing’s to lose.

Nonetheless, it’s nice to see the passenger version notch up another 5 orders.   Presently there are 32 orders for the passenger version comprised of a Lufthansa order for 20, Korean Air Lines order for another 5 and 7 unidentified VIP orders.   An additional 78 orders for the freighter version exist and first flight of the 747-8F is expected sometime soon.

Filed under: Aircraft Development by ajax