Korean Air returns over 300 workers from US after Georgia immigration raid

Flight data shows that aircraft HL7638 was used for this special charter operation. It departed Seoul Incheon for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on September 10 and returned to Incheon on September 12 after nearly a 15-hour journey each way. Korean Air’s Boeing 747-8s are configured with six first-class Kosmo Suites 2.0, 48 Prestige Suites in business class, and 314 economy seats.

Korean Air has operated various versions of the Boeing 747 since it took delivery of its first model in 1973. The airline expanded its international network using these jets, launching its first European route to Paris in March 1975. Over time, it has flown different passenger and cargo variants including the 747-200B, -200C, -300, as well as multiple freighter conversions.

Currently, Korean Air operates five passenger Boeing 747-8s along with seven freighters of the same type and four additional cargo models (747-400ERFs). These aircraft support both its long-haul passenger services and global cargo operations.

In September alone, Korean Air scheduled about 150 passenger flights using the Boeing 747-8 and around 591 cargo flights with its freighter fleet. Passenger services include routes from Seoul to Los Angeles (the most frequent), London Heathrow, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Tokyo Narita, and Taipei.

Until recently, Korean Air’s route between Seoul Incheon and Atlanta was operated by the Boeing 747 but switched to a Boeing 777-300ER as of August 31. Now Los Angeles remains the only US city regularly served by Korean Air's passenger version of the jumbo jet.

"Korean Air remains one of the few airlines still operating Boeing’s 747 passenger variant," according to ch-aviation data.

"Korean Air has been closely tied to Boeing’s 747 program for decades," stated company sources.

"The SkyTeam Alliance member has built its long-haul network around the type’s capacity and range."

"It was an early adopter and took delivery of its first 747-200 in 1973."

"Indeed, the arrival of the jumbo jet marked a turning point for the airline's international expansion."

"The airline has since operated a wide variety of passenger and cargo variants."

"Today, it continues to rely on the jumbo jets as a central part of its operations."

"Beyond its five passenger 747-8 aircraft, Korean Air also operates seven 747-8 freighters and four 747-400ERFs," according to ch-aviation data.

"These aircraft form the backbone of its global cargo network."