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A Tribute to the Boeing 747 Legacy
Unveiling the Korean Air Edition
In the realm of aviation, few aircraft capture the imagination and inspire awe quite like the Boeing 747. With its unmistakable hump-shaped fuselage and majestic presence, the "Queen of the Skies" has left an indelible mark on the history of aviation. Today, we are thrilled to introduce the Korean Air Edition, the third successful cedition of Korean Air, crafted from the legendary Boeing 747 (HL7473, MSN 28335). Join us on a journey through time as we delve into the remarkable story of the Boeing 747 and its close ties with Korean Air.
When the Boeing 747 first
took to the skies in 1969, it revolutionized air travel forever. With its unprecedented size and capacity, it ushered in a new era of long-haul flights and made air travel accessible to millions of people worldwide. The iconic hump on the upper deck not only provided additional space but also became a symbol of the aircraft's unmistakable identity. Over the years, the Boeing 747 has become synonymous with comfort, luxury, and reliability in the skies.
Korean Air, established in 1969, has built a remarkable legacy of excellence in the aviation industry. With its commitment to delivering top-notch service, innovation, and safety, Korean Air has become a leading global airline. Throughout its history, Korean Air has embraced the Boeing 747 as a cornerstone of its fleet, utilizing its range, capacity, and reliability to connect passengers from around the world.
Korean Air Lines, based in Seoul and operating from Incheon Airport, is the national airline of South Korea. As a founding member of the SkyTeam alliance, Korean Air is actively involved in both passenger transportation and air cargo services through Korean Air Cargo.
The airline Korean Air Lines (shortened as KAL) was founded in 1962 and traces its roots back to Korean National Airlines of 1947.
In the 1960s, Korean Air Lines faced a severe economic crisis, which could only be overcome through privatization in 1969. Since then, Korean Air has been part of the Hanjin Group, which also includes Hanjin Heavy Industries, a shipyard.
In the following years, the airline experienced continuous growth. In 1971, a transpacific route to America was introduced, and cargo flights were launched under the name Korean Air Cargo. Korean Air received its first ordered Boeing 747-200 aircraft in 1973, and the first Airbus A300 was delivered in 1975.
On March 1, 1984, the airline was renamed Korean Air.
In the year 2000, Korean Air, together with Aeroméxico, Air France, and Delta Air Lines, founded the aviation alliance SkyTeam, which is now the second-largest alliance after Star Alliance.
The Boeing 747 Collection View all
As one of the early adopters of the Boeing 747, Korean Air played a pivotal role in shaping the aircraft's reputation for long-haul flights. The airline's dedication to providing a luxurious and comfortable experience led to the introduction of innovative features and amenities onboard their 747 fleet. Passengers flying with Korean Air on the Boeing 747 enjoyed spacious seating, state-of-the-art entertainment systems, and renowned Korean hospitality.
Over the years, Korean Air's Boeing 747s have carried countless passengers across continents, bridging cultures, and fostering global connections. The distinctive livery of Korean Air's aircraft, with its elegant design and iconic logo, became a familiar sight at airports worldwide.
The Korean Air Edition
Aviationtag, crafted from the fuselage of the Boeing 747 (HL7473, MSN 28335), encapsulates the spirit of Korean Air's commitment to excellence and the enduring legacy of the Boeing 747. Each Aviationtag serves as a tangible reminder of the remarkable achievements of Korean Air and the iconic aircraft that played a significant role in shaping the airline's success.
The HL7473 was delivered to Korean Air in 1996 and had an impressive operational period until 2017. Afterwards, it was torn down in San Bernardino, and Aviationtag was able to secure parts of the cabin to upcycle them into the current Aviationtag collection.
Embrace the opportunity to
own a piece of aviation history with the Korean Air Edition Aviationtag and join us in commemorating the legacy of Korean Air and the Boeing 747.
Ah I’m too young for the golden age of the B747, so I’ll probably never have a chance to fly on one. On the upside, I’ll bring a B747 aviationtag with me on the right seat in the cockpit when flying commercial here in Europe
I really like the post……great reading all the information about the Korean air 747.
Iconic aircraft, beautiful color!
The Boeing 747 is extremely special to me. I have flown on Air India, British Airways and Lufthansa’s 747-400s to Europe, the United States, and the Middle East. I have flown on the upper deck on Air India and British Airways’ 747s and I have sat in the British Airways 747 nose section’s first class cabin and the view upon landing into ORD was spectacular. My last flight on the 747 was on Lufthansa flight LH756 from FRA to BOM. I hope to fly the 747 again soon before it gets retired and I end up having no chance of flying it again. Air India’s 747s did not even get a proper send-off. The last flight was in March 2021 from DEL to BOM. Unfortunately I could not fly on it because of the pandemic. Though the Air India 747s were used to evacuate Indians from Wuhan in January 2020 due to COVID, they were not used to evacuate Indians from Ukraine during the Russian invasion starting in February 2022, considering that all the Air India pilots that flew the 747-400 have now transitioned to the Boeing 777/787. 1.25 years after the last flight, the DGCA deregistered the aircraft. Anyway, Lufthansa still flies the 400 and the new Boeing 747-8 intercontinental, which Korean Air and Air China also fly. Small numbers of 747-100s/200s/300s remain active around the world as cargo/military/charter/VVIP transport aircraft in countries like Belarus, Georgia, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Saudi Arabia and more. However it seem that they too will be retired soon. Long live the queen of the skies 👑🌌
An awesome aircraft, when I was younger our family flew on a 747 and the size as a young boy was incredible, amazed how such a large aircraft could get off the ground. So a great memory flying on a 747.
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