Korean Air is set to join the Airbus A320 family's customer list after signing a memorandum of understanding that covers up to 50 A321neos, including 20 options.

The Seoul-based carrier will operate the A321neo with a two-class full-service layout on regional services, including on longer sectors to Southeast Asia, says Airbus.

Fabrice Bregier, the manufacturer's chief executive, pitches the deal as "a very significant endorsement of the advantages offered by the A321neo at the top end of the single-aisle market"

Airbus won its first order from Korean in 1974 and acknowledges the carrier as its "longest-standing customer from outside Europe".

Flightglobal's Ascend Fleets database shows that Korean today operates a 161-strong fleet which includes 27 A330s and 10 A380s.

Source: Cirium Dashboard