Korean Air in talks to buy Boeing 777X jets, sources say

Korean Air is in talks over the purchase of at least 10 Boeing 777X jetliners in a potential tilt back towards its traditional U.S. supplier after placing a major order with European rival Airbus, two industry sources said. The discussions come weeks after Korean announced an order for 33 A350 jets from Airbus in what was widely seen as a breakthrough for the European planemaker into the flag carrier's Boeing-dominated wide-body fleet. The sources said discussions between Korean Air and Boeing on the 777X, an upgrade of the 777 mini-jumbo already used by South Korea's largest carrier, were ongoing. A third industry source with knowledge of the matter said Korean is in continuous discussions with Boeing on potential orders, but does not have immediate firm plans to take new 777s. Korean Air did not have an immediate comment. Boeing declined to comment on any commercial discussions and referred queries about fleet planning to the airline. Earlier this month, Korean Air Chairman and CEO Walter Cho told CNBC following the Airbus deal: "We're not done yet. We're still talking with Boeing".<br/>