Korean Air is now flying just two Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental jets on regular long-haul routes, a major change that started in July 2025. This move marks a sharp drop from previous years and shows both a global shift away from four-engine jumbo jets and Korean Air’s own plan to update its fleet faster than expected.
As of late July 2025, Korean Air has only four Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental (747-8i) passenger planes left. Out of these, just two are used for scheduled passenger flights on major international routes. The other two are kept for backup or special flights. This is a big change from the past, when Korean Air was known for having a large fleet of jumbo jets flying all over the world.
Current 747-8i Routes and Schedules
For summer 2025, Korean Air is using the 747-8i mainly on two long-haul routes:
- Seoul Incheon (ICN) – Atlanta (ATL): The 747-8i returned to this route on April 25, 2025, after a short break. At first, it flew twice a week, but from early May through August 31, 2025, it flies every day to handle the busy summer travel season. After August, the 777-300ER will take over this route.
- Seoul Incheon (ICN) – London Heathrow (LHR): The 747-8i started flying this route again on July 25, 2025, with three flights per week. This schedule runs through October 24, 2025. This is less frequent than in past years, showing both lower demand and the smaller 747-8i fleet.
While the 747-8i could be used on up to seven routes from Seoul, in reality, only Atlanta and London Heathrow see regular flights with this plane. Sometimes, Korean Air schedules one-off flights to places like Tokyo, but these are rare and not part of the regular schedule.
Fleet Numbers and Capacity
- 747-8i in passenger service: 4 (as of July 2025)
- 747-8i scheduled for regular flights: 2 (mainly Atlanta and London Heathrow)
- 747-8i sold for military conversion: 5 (delivered to Sierra Nevada Corporation by September 2025)
The Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental can seat up to 368 passengers, which is a big jump compared to the 777-300ER’s 277 seats. This makes the 747-8i a good choice for busy long-haul routes during peak travel times, when more seats are needed.
Why Is Korean Air Reducing 747-8i Flights?
Korean Air’s decision to cut back on 747-8i flights is part of a bigger trend in the airline industry. Airlines around the world are moving away from four-engine jumbo jets like the 747 and A380. These planes use more fuel and cost more to operate than newer, twin-engine jets like the Boeing 787 or Airbus A350.
Korean Air had planned to retire its 747-8i fleet by 2031. However, this timeline changed after the airline sold five of its 747-8i jets to Sierra Nevada Corporation, which is converting them for military use. Delays in getting new twin-engine planes also played a role in keeping some 747-8i jets in service longer than planned.
Walter Cho, Korean Air’s CEO, said in July 2025 that both the A380 and 747-8i will stay in service “for years to come.” He explained that delays in new aircraft deliveries and strong demand for high-capacity long-haul flights mean the airline still needs these big planes for now.
Industry Trends and Global Context
Korean Air’s move is not unique. Only four airlines—Korean Air, Lufthansa, Air China, and Rossiya—still fly the 747 for passengers as of 2025. Korean Air’s scheduled 747 flights have dropped to about 2,000 per year, which is much less than before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lufthansa is now the largest 747 passenger operator, with over 12,000 scheduled flights in 2025. In contrast, Korean Air’s 747 flights are now focused on a few key routes and are mostly seasonal.
What Does This Mean for Passengers?
For travelers, flying on a Korean Air Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental is now a rare treat. Seats on these flights are limited, and the routes are few. If you want to experience the 747-8i, you’ll need to book early for the summer 2025 season, and even then, schedules can change at the last minute.
The 747-8i offers more seats overall and a higher share of economy class seats, but it has slightly fewer first-class seats compared to the 777-300ER. This means more people can fly, but there are fewer luxury seats available.
Cargo and Military Use
The five 747-8i jets that Korean Air sold are being converted for military and cargo use. This is part of a larger plan to get the most value out of these planes as they leave passenger service. Turning old passenger jets into cargo or military planes is common in the airline industry and helps airlines make the most of their investments.
Expert Opinions and Airline Strategy
Aviation experts say Korean Air’s choice to keep just a small number of 747-8i jets is based on two main things: strong demand for busy routes and delays in getting new planes. The airline also wants to keep its brand strong by offering a special experience for aviation fans and loyal customers.
Korean Air’s ability to change flight schedules quickly shows a flexible approach to managing its fleet. In a market that can change fast, this helps the airline respond to new challenges and opportunities.
Historical Background and Future Plans
Korean Air used to be one of the world’s biggest 747 operators, with 10 747-8i passenger jets and several 747-8F freighters. The COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of more efficient twin-engine jets sped up the retirement of large four-engine planes around the world.
Looking ahead, the remaining 747-8i jets will likely be retired as soon as new twin-engine replacements arrive. But with ongoing delays in aircraft deliveries, these jumbo jets could stay in service into 2026 or even longer.
Korean Air has also said that the 747-8i could come back on other routes or for special events if there is a sudden jump in demand or if the airline needs extra capacity.
Booking Tips and Official Resources
If you want to fly on a Korean Air 747-8i, check the airline’s official website for the latest schedules and booking options. Seats on these flights are limited, and schedules can change, so it’s best to book early and stay updated.
For more information on flight schedules, fleet updates, and customer service, visit the Korean Air official website. You can also find press releases and news in the “Newsroom” section of their site.
Key Takeaways for Travelers and Stakeholders
- Korean Air is now flying just two Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental jets on regular long-haul routes, mainly between Seoul and Atlanta, and Seoul and London Heathrow, during summer 2025.
- This is a seasonal move, with the 747-8i set to be replaced by the 777-300ER from September 2025.
- The airline’s 747-8i fleet has shrunk because of sales for military conversion and a shift toward more efficient twin-engine planes.
- Future 747-8i flights are uncertain and depend on when new planes arrive and how much demand there is.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, Korean Air’s changes reflect a worldwide move away from large, four-engine jets. This affects not only travelers who enjoy flying on these iconic planes but also airline workers, aviation fans, and the broader travel industry.
For the latest updates on Korean Air’s Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental flights and long-haul routes, always check official sources. If you have questions about travel policies, visit the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Air Consumer Protection page for helpful information about your rights as a passenger.
In summary, Korean Air’s use of the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental is now limited and focused on a few key long-haul routes. This change is part of a bigger trend in aviation and will shape the travel experience for years to come. If you want to fly on one of these rare jumbo jets, plan ahead and keep an eye on schedule updates.
Learn Today
Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental → A large, four-engine wide-body aircraft designed for long international flights with up to 368 seats.
Twin-engine jets → Aircraft powered by two engines, offering better fuel efficiency and lower operating costs than four-engine planes.
Long-haul routes → Flight routes covering long distances, typically intercontinental or lengthy international travel paths.
Military conversion → The process of modifying passenger aircraft into military or cargo planes for alternative uses.
Four-engine jumbo jets → Large aircraft powered by four engines, traditionally used for mass passenger transport over long distances.
This Article in a Nutshell
Korean Air now operates just two Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental planes on scheduled routes, focusing on Seoul-Atlanta and Seoul-London in 2025, reflecting a global aviation trend of retiring four-engine jumbo jets in favor of efficient twin-engine models.
— By VisaVerge.com
