Aviationtag HL7473 Boeing 747 Edition

The Boeing 747-400 HL7473 Story

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.

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.


153 comments


  • Jakob

    Such a beautiful airliner in an amazing livery! Even though it’s sad that it got scrapped, I’m happy that we can keep a memory of this plane thanks to Aviationtag!


  • Lee Mingi

    The HL7473 was known as an temporarily presidential plane until the South Korean government leased the HL7465 from Korean Air.
    I took several flights from Seoul to Jeju on the B747-400. It is the busiest route in the world. I’ve never exactly been on board the HL7473, but in August of 2014 I flew with her closest sisters, the HL7472, and HL7489 (also the closest jet to the HL7490, the HL7491, is what your previous release). It was the first flight on the B747.
    In 2015, I flew on the second floor for the first time, and this plane was the HL7461, the last 747-400 owned by Korean Air.
    The last flight of the Korean Air 747-400 was from Manila to Seoul in 2017. I was so sad because I didn’t know it would be the last time I boarded KAL’s B747-400.
    To bring back wonderful memories with the B747-400, i planning to board Asiana Airlines HL7428 which is last B747-400 Passenger jets only one exist in S.korea.
    If HL7428 is retired, would you be willing to make it into a tag?
    The HL7428 already serves as a medium for Korean aviation enthusiasts to reminisce about their long-ago 747 ride.


  • Kent Nellissen

    After seeing that a new collection of Korean Airlines is out. I couldn’t be happier. The iconic blue is always a pleasure to look at.


  • Ciotea Sergiu-Bogdan

    As a Korean, the Korean Air’s sky-blue-painted 747 still makes my heart flutter just as it did in my childhood. It’s sad that more and more 747 are fading into history.


  • Preston cain

    KALS livery is a really nice livery, it’s cool they made an AVtag on it.


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