Korean Air’s B748 is Back in Hong Kong: Temporary Treat or Permanent Comeback?

Hey plane-spotters and travel buffs! If you’ve been keeping an eye on the skies (or just scrolling X for avgeek gossip), you might’ve heard the buzz: Korean Air is bringing the Boeing 747-8—yep, the Queen of the Skies 2.0—back to Hong Kong. But before you start booking tickets to catch a ride on this iconic jumbo jet, let’s unpack what’s really going on. Is this a fleeting fling or a forever thing? Spoiler: It’s looking more like a summer romance than a lifelong vow.

The Big Plane Plan

Korean Air’s been tinkering with its flight schedules, and the Seoul Incheon (ICN) to Hong Kong (HKG) route is getting a hefty upgrade. Starting March 30th, 2025, and running through August 31st, 2025, the airline’s tossing some serious metal into the mix. We’re talking the 368-seat B748, the massive Airbus A380, and the sleek A321neo stepping in to replace smaller birds. The result? A whopping 1,736 extra seats each way per week during this stretch. That’s a lot of legroom for your bubble tea runs to HK!

The B748 specifically will take on one of the daily rotations, clocking in 27 ils per month each way by August 2025. Compare that to, say, Los Angeles, which gets 62 B748 flights in the same month, and it’s clear Hong Kong’s getting a solid slice of the action—just not the whole pie.

Why Now?

Summer travel season, baby! Demand spikes, and airlines like Korean Air flex their fleets to match. The B748’s no stranger to this route—it’s popped up here before, unlike its splashy “guess who’s back” moment planned for London Heathrow in July 2025. So, while it’s exciting to see the Queen strut her stuff over Victoria Harbour again, it’s not exactly a rare sighting for KAL regulars. Think of it like your favorite seasonal dessert: delightful while it lasts, but not on the menu year-round.

Temporary or Forever?

Here’s the million-dollar question: Is this a permanent change? My gut (and the data) says no. Korean Air’s been cozying up to newer, shinier toys—like the Boeing 777-9s and 787-10s they ordered in March 2025. Those fuel-efficient beauties signal where the airline’s heart lies long-term. The B748, delivered up to 2017, is more of a legacy star—still dazzling, but part of a fading passenger 747 era. Deploying it to Hong Kong feels like a tactical move to handle summer crowds, not a sign they’re doubling down on the jumbo jet life.

No official word from Korean Air screams “permanent,” either. Schedules can shift, but as of now, this looks like a five-month party ending in August 2025—not a few days, but not forever, either. Keep an eye on their updates if you’re banking on a specific flight!

Why It Matters

For avgeeks, the B748’s return is a love letter to the golden age of widebodies. For travelers, it’s extra seats and a chance to fly something special. And here’s a cool tidbit: Korean Air is currently the only airline flying the B748 in passenger service to Hong Kong, making this a unique treat for the city’s skies. For Hong Kong itself? It’s another reason to visit—or escape for a Seoul getaway. Just don’t expect this Queen to settle down here for good.

Final Boarding Call

So, there you have it—Korean Air’s B748 is gracing Hong Kong skies again, but it’s more of a summer fling than a permanent residency. If you’re itching to catch it, plan your trip between late March and August 2025. Got thoughts? Spotted a B748 lately? Drop a comment below or hit me up—I’m all ears (or rather, all text). Until next time, happy flying!