Korean Air has announced a massive $36 billion deal to purchase 103 aircraft from Boeing, marking one of the largest commercial jet orders in recent years.
The agreement, revealed Monday, includes a mix of 787 Dreamliners, 777 wide-body jets, and 737 MAX aircraft, and is seen as a key step in modernizing the airline's fleet as it merges with domestic rival Asiana Airlines.
The deal was finalized during a high-profile meeting in Washington, attended by business leaders and senior officials from both the United States and South Korea.
The timing is notable, coming just hours after South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has been urging America’s trading partners to increase business with U.S. companies.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and South Korea’s Trade Minister Kim Jung-kwan were present at the signing, alongside top executives from Samsung, Hyundai Motor Group, and Nvidia.
Boeing’s Commercial Airplanes President Stephanie Pope described the Korean Air agreement as a "landmark," noting that it will support roughly 135,000 jobs across the United States. Korean Air’s order includes:
50 Boeing 737-10 jets
45 long-range aircraft (likely 787s and 777s)
8 777-8 Freighter cargo planes
This brings Korean Air’s total orders and commitments for Boeing aircraft in 2025 to over 150 units.
In parallel, Korean Air also finalized a separate $13.7 billion engine deal with GE Aerospace, underscoring deepening ties between South Korean carriers and American aerospace firms.
Other trade and investment announcements were made at the summit, including:
A partnership between Samsung’s shipbuilding unit and Oregon-based Vigor Marine to maintain U.S. Navy vessels.
A $150 billion commitment from Seoul to support the U.S. shipbuilding sector.
Hyundai Motor Group’s plan to raise its U.S. investment from $21 billion to $26 billion, including a new U.S.-based robot manufacturing facility capable of producing 30,000 units annually.
