August 26, 2015 – Korean Air has today taken delivery of the first of 10 Boeing 747-8 Intercontinentals it has on order. Korean is just the third airline to take delivery of a B747-8i (the others being Lufthansa and Air China), and it is the first to receive the aircraft with an all-new Dreamliner-inspired cabin architecture. This space, created with Boeing and Teague, includes a new curved, upswept architecture for a greater feeling of space and comfort.
Korean Air commissioned PriestmanGoode to work on the interiors, with the 368-seat jet featuring the brand new ‘First Class Kosmo Suite 2.0’, which include a sliding door and higher partitions for added privacy (an extra 24cm, raising the partitions to 139cm). The suites are also equipped with updated Panasonic in-flight entertainment systems, with 24in high-definition monitors and new handheld touch remotes.
Above: The updated Kosmo Suite features a 79in-long, 24in-wide seat, with 83inch between the seats
Below: The airline’s business class Prestige Suites will feature staggered seating and privacy panels, along with 18in HD touchscreen IFE
“Korean Air has been a valued Boeing customer for more than 40 years and we are honored to celebrate yet another milestone delivery together with their first B747-8 Intercontinental,” said Ray Conner, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “As one of the few airlines that have operated almost all models of the B747 family, we are excited that Korean Air is extending the tradition with our newest B747-8 Intercontinental. I am confident that the B747-8 will continue to play an important role in Korean Air’s long-term success.”
We will be revealing further details of the Korean Air B747-8i in the November issue of Aircraft Interiors international.
Above: This delivery sees Korean Air become the first airline in the world to operate both the passenger and freighter versions of the B747-8; the airline currently operates seven of the freighter variants. Korean Air’s Aerospace Division is a key Boeing partner on both the B747-8 and B787 programs, supplying the distinctive raked wing-tips for each model
