SEOUL – April 25, 2025 – Korean Air (KE) has reinstated Boeing 747-8i service on its Seoul Incheon (ICN) to Atlanta (ATL) route, reclaiming the title for the world’s longest nonstop scheduled 747 passenger flight by distance. Spanning 7,152 miles, the reinstated service surpasses Lufthansa’s Frankfurt to Buenos Aires route and reflects growing trans-Pacific demand.
Replacing the Boeing 777-300ER, the 747-8i offers 33% more capacity, accommodating 368 passengers across three cabins. While first class sees a slight reduction, the aircraft introduces six more Prestige Class seats and an impressive 87-seat boost in economy, shifting economy class’s share to 85%. The aircraft departs Seoul at 09:15 (KE035), arriving in Atlanta at 10:15 the same day, with the return flight (KE036) departing ATL at 12:30 and reaching ICN at 16:50 the next day.
Initially operating twice weekly, the 747-8i will fly daily from early May through August 31, with the 777-300ER returning in September. This strategic move enhances capacity during peak summer travel and improves the passenger experience on one of Korean Air’s flagship trans-Pacific routes.
The route is part of Korean Air’s trans-Pacific joint venture with Delta Air Lines (DL), a fellow SkyTeam member. With Delta operating a double-daily Airbus A350-900 service, the partnership offers triple-daily connectivity and 1,682 roundtrip seats daily in April. This makes it one of SkyTeam’s largest intercontinental offerings, rivaling key Delta routes to Paris and Amsterdam.
Beyond North America, Korean Air will also fly the 747-8i to London Heathrow (LHR) from July 25 to October 24, 2025. Operating three times weekly, it temporarily replaces the 777-300ER and boosts capacity on a route previously served daily. The move also marks the return of scheduled 747 passenger service to Heathrow, a rare sight since British Airways retired its fleet in 2020.
Despite the aircraft’s popularity, its high operating costs raise questions about long-term sustainability. Korean Air has hinted at repurposing some 747-8is for non-passenger roles. Nevertheless, for summer 2025, the “Queen of the Skies” is once again a central figure in Korean Air’s global network.
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