See inside Korean Air's Boeing 747, one of the last examples of the famous jet still flying passengers around the globe

Taylor RainsJan 12, 2024, 21:14 IST

Korean Air's fleet of Boeing 747 jets is one of the last in the industry.Boeing

Korean Air was the last airline to receive a Boeing 747 passenger jet, specifically the -8i variant.
Its jumbo is fit with first, business, and economy class, with the upper-level hosting a private experience.

The American-made Boeing 747 was one of the most significant innovations in aviation history.

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, demand for air travel was booming and airline executives quickly realized the need for bigger aircraft.

Pan American Airways CEO Juan Trippe teamed up with Boeing in 1965 when he requested it build a plane larger than the Boeing 707.

The result was the world's first widebody aircraft, which stood twice the size of the 707. Pan Am's 747 aircraft could carry a whopping 347 people, effectively lowering overall fares and making air travel finally available to more than just the high-dollar few.

The 747 program eventually ended 53 years later in January 2023 with the delivery of the last-ever 747-8F to cargo giant Atlas Air. The passenger program ended a few years earlier, however, with the final 747-8i going to Korean Air in 2017.

While the Queen of the Skies lost favor with the rise of more efficient twin-engine widebodies, Korean Air — as well as a handful of other carriers — are still flying the beloved jumbo.

Take a look inside Korean's 747-8i, and see how it compares to the early days of flying.

Over the decades, the 747 has been built into several different passenger variants, including as a VIP private jet.

This Boeing 747-8i BBJ interior was designed by Cabinet Alberto Pinto.Cabinet Alberto Pinto

Freighters and combis — the latter able to carry a mix of passengers and cargo — were derived from the -200, the -300, the -400, and the -8.

Boeing's last 747 rolling out of the Everett assembly line.Paul Weatherman/Boeing

The jumbo has even carried NASA's Space Shuttle on its back, and the 747-400F model was modified into the famous "Dreamlifter" cargo jet.

The 747 has been modified to take on several unique roles.NASA, The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images

The final passenger version was the 747-8i, which is still operated by airlines like Korean Air, Air China, and Lufthansa, among others.

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Onboard Korean, travelers will find 368 seats across three cabins: first, business, and economy.

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Situated at the front of the plane and separated by a curtain, first class is the jet's most exclusive cabin.

Korean Air 747-8i first class seat.Korean Air

Each "Kosmo Suite 2.0" also features a sliding door — fully enclosing the suite — and a lie-flat bed created by connecting the recliner to the footrest.

The adjustable seat can be a recliner or a lie-flat bed.Korean Air

Behind first class on the lower level of the 747 are 26 of the 48 "Prestige" business class seats onboard.

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The other 22 live upstairs on the jumbo's second level, which is accessed via a grand staircase.

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The special Apex design provides a good amount of privacy at each seat, though window passengers get a better experience.

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While the upstairs feels more like a private jet, the 747 has historically sported other luxury cabins on its second floor.

The second level of Korean's 747.Taylor Rains/Insider

Airlines including Pan Am, Australia's Qantas, and Air India were famous for their second-level bars and lounges.

The 747 lounges on Qantas (top right), Air India (top left), and Pan Am (bottom).Hutmacher/ullstein bild/Getty, Tata.com, Qantas

The economy cabin has also changed significantly since the inaugural 747 passenger flight.

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Photos from Pan Am's early flights show large recliners with white tablecloths laid across the tray tables.

Pan Am flight attendant serving drinks on Pan Am's 747 in economy.Bettmann/Contributor/Getty Images

While Pan Am carried 259 people in economy in 1970, Korean now fits 320 in its lowest-tier 747 cabin.

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Fortunately, the 747-8i is designed to carry more people than Pan Am's original 747-100, so Korean hasn't sacrificed legroom.

The color of the economy seats on Korean Air varied between brown and blue.Taylor Rains/Insider

The seats are also well-padded and come with a solid headrest, deep recline, and a good seatback screen.

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See inside Korean Air's Boeing 747, one of the last examples of the famous jet still flying passengers around the globe

Over the decades, the 747 has been built into several different passenger variants, including as a VIP private jet.

Freighters and combis — the latter able to carry a mix of passengers and cargo — were derived from the -200, the -300, the -400, and the -8.

The jumbo has even carried NASA's Space Shuttle on its back, and the 747-400F model was modified into the famous "Dreamlifter" cargo jet.

The final passenger version was the 747-8i, which is still operated by airlines like Korean Air, Air China, and Lufthansa, among others.

Onboard Korean, travelers will find 368 seats across three cabins: first, business, and economy.

Situated at the front of the plane and separated by a curtain, first class is the jet's most exclusive cabin.

Each "Kosmo Suite 2.0" also features a sliding door — fully enclosing the suite — and a lie-flat bed created by connecting the recliner to the footrest.

Behind first class on the lower level of the 747 are 26 of the 48 "Prestige" business class seats onboard.

The other 22 live upstairs on the jumbo's second level, which is accessed via a grand staircase.

The special Apex design provides a good amount of privacy at each seat, though window passengers get a better experience.

While the upstairs feels more like a private jet, the 747 has historically sported other luxury cabins on its second floor.

Airlines including Pan Am, Australia's Qantas, and Air India were famous for their second-level bars and lounges.

The economy cabin has also changed significantly since the inaugural 747 passenger flight.

Photos from Pan Am's early flights show large recliners with white tablecloths laid across the tray tables.

While Pan Am carried 259 people in economy in 1970, Korean now fits 320 in its lowest-tier 747 cabin.

Fortunately, the 747-8i is designed to carry more people than Pan Am's original 747-100, so Korean hasn't sacrificed legroom.

The seats are also well-padded and come with a solid headrest, deep recline, and a good seatback screen.