Korean Air Orders Five 747-8is

**Matt Molnar** · 12-04-2009, 10:53 AM

Korean has ordered five 747-8is, becoming the second carrier to order the passenger version. List price: $1.5 billion.

Korean placed an order for five 747-8 Freighters in 2006.

**hiss srq** · 12-04-2009, 12:59 PM

This makes me quite happy. Perhaps now some more carriers will start eyeballing the 748 as a potential heavy lifter for them. Being smaller than the A380 it might just be at the top end of some carriers requirements. Who knows, with the way Qantas is complaining about the 380 allegedly maybe we will see them give a strong look at the 748. :borat:

**Tom_Turner** · 12-05-2009, 10:54 AM

This is good news.

Hopefully Cathay Pacific next, and then perhaps China Airlines and/or El Al?

Possibly others... The 747-8i is not done...

Tom

**Midnight Mike** · 12-05-2009, 05:56 PM

Ever since the A380F left the market, every current 747 operator has probably taken a 2nd or 3rd look at the 747-8F & then the 747-8I, Korean Air is the perfect example.

If you want to continue to operate 747 jets, then it would make sense to order the 747-8I & the 747-8I, same pilots can operate both fleets & it seemless to move from the 747-400 to the 747-8.

**hiss srq** · 12-05-2009, 06:08 PM

Actually, that was a question I was going to ask you mike. The 747 classic is a seperate type rating if I am not mistaken from the 744. So I have yet to see the 748's flight deck is it noteably diffrent from the 744 like more 787'ish maybe? I think it would be a no brainer for Cathay and ElAl. I cannot see ElAl going Airbus ever and besides that fact I think the 380 would just be too much airplane for them.

**mmedford** · 12-05-2009, 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by hiss srq

Actually, that was a question I was going to ask you mike. The 747 classic is a seperate type rating if I am not mistaken from the 744. So I have yet to see the 748's flight deck is it noteably diffrent from the 744 like more 787'ish maybe? I think it would be a no brainer for Cathay and ElAl. I cannot see ElAl going Airbus ever and besides that fact I think the 380 would just be too much airplane for them.

Nothing stopping El-Al from operating 77Ws over their 744s...they do use 77ERs now.

**Midnight Mike** · 12-05-2009, 10:05 PM

Originally Posted by hiss srq

Actually, that was a question I was going to ask you mike. The 747 classic is a seperate type rating if I am not mistaken from the 744. So I have yet to see the 748's flight deck is it noteably diffrent from the 744 like more 787'ish maybe? I think it would be a no brainer for Cathay and ElAl. I cannot see ElAl going Airbus ever and besides that fact I think the 380 would just be too much airplane for them.

From what I understand, the airlines are going to operate the 747-400 & the 747-8 with the same crews, there is a differences course to go from the 747-400 to the 747-8, but, it will be very short. Remember there is a differences course to go from the 757 to the 767.....

There are minor differences, but, not as drastic when you go from the 747-100/200/300 to the 747-400, which required the new type....

**Delta777LR** · 12-06-2009, 01:34 PM

Im excited about this report, im beginning to believe that since the rollout of the first 747-8, Boeing could possibly get more orders.. I have faith.. Im glad Korean Air made the order..

**DHG750R** · 12-07-2009, 03:13 PM

Yep , the -8 will have an identical flightdeck to the -400
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/20 ... plier.html

comparison pic http://www.flickr.com/photos/7702824@N03/3834755770/

**mmedford** · 12-07-2009, 03:26 PM

Originally Posted by DHG750R

Yep , the -8 will have an identical flightdeck to the -400
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/20 ... plier.html

comparison pic http://www.flickr.com/photos/7702824@N03/3834755770/

Wooohoo...Boeing Brown stays!

**wunaladreamin** · 12-07-2009, 03:38 PM

Now, the more pressing question is...will JFK see them???

**DHG750R** · 12-07-2009, 03:41 PM

I think it's safe to say at the very least you will see one with the blue and gold tail there in short order..

**mmedford** · 12-07-2009, 03:42 PM

Originally Posted by DHG750R

I think it's safe to say at the very least you will see one with the blue and gold tail there in short order..

I was going to say Cargolux was first...

**Midnight Mike** · 12-07-2009, 07:02 PM

Originally Posted by DHG750R

I think it's safe to say at the very least you will see one with the blue and gold tail there in short order..

Yep, Atlas ordered the 747-8, as well as NCA, I think NCA & Cargolux are the launch customers :?:

**Tom_Turner** · 12-07-2009, 08:30 PM

Originally Posted by wunaladreamin

Now, the more pressing question is...will JFK see them???

Bill, I think the plan at Korean is to use them to the US, so yes, I believe we'll see the Korean 747-8i, as well as the Luftansa at JFK. And, for the cargo version, Cargolux at the least.

And, if I was betting, I imagine the 747-8 and A380 will both make it to EWR on some airlines behalf at some point as well. If not, then VIP versions maybe.

Tom