Korean Air Selects GE Aerospace Engines to Power New 787-10s and 777-9s

Rhea-AI Summary

GE Aerospace has secured a significant engine order from Korean Air following the airline's agreement to purchase 20 Boeing 777-9s and up to 30 787-10s. The deal includes GEnx and GE9X engines, along with a maintenance, repair, and overhaul service agreement for the GE9X engines, making Korean Air the first GE9X customer in South Korea.

The GEnx engine family has logged over 62 million flight hours since 2011 and powers two-thirds of all 787 aircraft in operation, with more than 3,600 engines in service and backlog. The GE9X engine, exclusively available for Boeing 777X aircraft, offers 10% better specific fuel consumption than its GE90-115B predecessor. Both engines are certified to operate on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blends.

Korean Air currently operates a fleet with GE90-110B/115B, LEAP-1B, and CFM56-7B engines, and utilizes GE Aerospace's Flight Data Monitoring system, Safety Insight, for enhanced safety protocols and operational effectiveness.

Positive

• Secured major engine order for Korean Air's 20 Boeing 777-9s and up to 30 787-10s
• Includes maintenance, repair, and overhaul service agreement for GE9X engines
• First GE9X customer secured in South Korean market
• Strong market position with GEnx powering 66% of all 787 aircraft in operation
• Large installed base of 3,600+ GEnx engines in service and backlog

Negative

• None.

CINCINNATI, March 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE) announced today that following Korean Air's agreement to purchase 20 Boeing 777-9s and up to 30 787-10s, the airline has placed an order for GEnx and GE9X engines to power its new aircraft. 

"We're grateful for the Korean Air team putting its trust in us again," said Russell Stokes, President and CEO, Commercial Engines and Services, GE Aerospace. "Today's order represents the next chapter in our long-standing partnership with Korean Air and reaffirms our commitment to support their successful fleet upgrade and expansion."

The order also includes a service agreement to cover the maintenance, repair, and overhaul of the GE9X engines. With this order, Korean Air becomes the first GE9X customer in South Korea.

"GE Aerospace provides the advanced technology that powers our commitment to excellence," said Walter Cho, Chairman and CEO of Korean Air and Hanjin Group. "Our partnership is essential to Korean Air's vision of becoming the world's most loved airline."

Since its introduction in 2011, the GEnx engine family has accumulated over 62 million flight hours. It stands as GE Aerospace's fastest-selling, high-thrust engine to date, with more than 3,600 engines currently in service and backlog, including spare units.  Today, the GEnx engine powers two-thirds of all 787 aircraft currently in operation.

The GE9X engine is the world's most powerful commercial aircraft engine and the most fuel-efficient engine in its class. Available only on the Boeing 777X family of 777-9 and 777-8 aircraft, the GE9X offers 10% better specific fuel consumption than its predecessor, the GE90-115B, with emissions that are a generation ahead of any competing engine.

Like all GE Aerospace commercial engines, both GEnx and GE9X engines are certified to run on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blends today.

Today, Korean Air operates an extensive fleet of GE Aerospace and CFM powered aircraft that includes GE90-110B/115B, LEAP-1B and CFM56-7B engines. In addition to the engine technology, Korean Air is using GE Aerospace's industry-leading Flight Data Monitoring system, Safety Insight, to enhance its safety protocols and operational effectiveness through advanced analytics, automation, and high-speed processing of big data. 

**CFM is a 50/50 joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines

About Korean Air

With its global hub at Incheon International Airport (ICN), Korean Air serves 110 cities in 39 countries on five continents with a modern fleet of 159 aircraft and over 20,000 professional employees. The airline has been granted numerous awards including a 5-star airline rating from Skytrax, Air Transport World's Airline of the Year and Cargo Operator of the Year awards.

About GE Aerospace

GE Aerospace is a global aerospace propulsion, services, and systems leader with an installed base of approximately 45,000 commercial and 25,000 military aircraft engines. With a global team of approximately 53,000 employees building on more than a century of innovation and learning, GE Aerospace is committed to inventing the future of flight, lifting people up, and bringing them home safely. Learn more about how GE Aerospace and its partners are defining flight for today, tomorrow and the future at www.geaerospace.com.

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SOURCE GE Aerospace

FAQ

What engines did Korean Air order from GE Aerospace for its new Boeing aircraft?

Korean Air ordered GEnx engines for its 787-10s and GE9X engines for its 777-9s, including a maintenance service agreement for the GE9X engines.

How many flight hours has the GE GEnx engine family accumulated since 2011?

The GEnx engine family has accumulated over 62 million flight hours since its introduction in 2011.

What is the fuel efficiency improvement of the GE9X engine compared to its predecessor?

The GE9X engine offers 10% better specific fuel consumption compared to its predecessor, the GE90-115B.

How many GEnx engines are currently in service and backlog for GE?

GE has more than 3,600 GEnx engines currently in service and backlog, including spare units.

What percentage of Boeing 787 aircraft are powered by GEnx engines?

The GEnx engine powers two-thirds of all Boeing 787 aircraft currently in operation.