Asiana Airlines bids farewell to its last Boeing 747-400 with final touchdown

Asiana Airlines Boeing 747-400 HL7428
byeangel / Creative Commons

Asiana Airlines has flown its last ever ‘Queen of the Skies’ Boeing 747-400 flight as the jumbo jet landed for the final time at Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN) in South Korea. 

The Boeing 747-400 was filled packed with passengers keen to be on board the iconic aircraft for its final historic flight and say their own personal goodbyes. 

The Boeing 747-400, registered HL7428, first set off from Seoul on March 25, 2024, at 10:15 local time, and landed at Taipei Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) at 11:30, where the aircraft received a water salute. 

Then shortly after 13:30 the Asiana Airlines ‘Queen of the Skies’ took off for its final flight before landing back at ICN one hour and 52 minutes later at 16:35. 

Social media was awash with messages of sadness in response to the Boeing 747-400s retirement but also many thanking the aircraft for its loyal service. 

HL7428 joined the South Korean airline in 1999, becoming Asiana Airline’s third 747 in the fleet.    

“The last B747-400 passenger plane in Korea. Queen of the Sky B747 started its first operation in 1999. Getting ready to say goodbye after a long flight,” Asiana wrote on its Instagram page when it announced the jet’s retirement in February 2024. 

To mark the occasion Asiana was offering passengers 30% off tickets for flights on the Boeing 747-400 throughout March 2024.  

Lufthansa currently operates the largest fleet of Boeing 747-400s, with eight still flying the ‘Queen of the Sky’ flag.   

Other airlines still operating the Boeing 747-400 include Atlas Air, Air Atlanta Europe, and Air China.   

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