Boeing 747 Routes to Asia This Winter

The Boeing 747 is disappearing fast from the world’s passenger schedules, but Asia remains one of its final safe havens. While Europe, North America and much of the Middle East have retired their last passenger 747s, a handful of Asian airlines are still flying the Queen of the Skies into major hubs across the region.

For spotters and travellers looking to experience the 747 before it becomes even rarer, the Winter 2025/26 timetable offers more opportunities in Asia than almost anywhere else.

From Korean Air’s flagship 747-8 routes to Air China’s occasional appearances and even sanctioned operators like Mahan Air, here’s where you can still see (and fly) this legendary aircraft.

Airlines Flying the 747 to Asia

Korean Air – Boeing 747-8

Korean Air is one of the world’s last major operators of the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental, and the type continues to be a proud flagship of the airline’s long-haul fleet.

During the winter season, the 747-8 remains active on several big Asian trunk routes, including key services to Japan, Southeast Asia and major Chinese cities. Korean Air also deploys the aircraft on long-haul routes out of Seoul, which means spotting opportunities at Incheon (ICN) are excellent year-round.

The airline’s 747-8 fleet features a premium-heavy configuration with First Class — a rare luxury for any 747 still flying today.

Usual Routes:

• Seoul Incheon – Busan
• Seoul Incheon – Hong Kong
• Seoul Incheon – Honolulu
• Seoul Incheon – Los Angeles LAX
• Seoul Incheon – Taipei Taoyuan

Air China – Boeing 747-8 (Selective / Seasonal)

Air China 747-8I (B-2485) on approach to Beijing Capital International Airport (Photo: eangel, distributed under a CC BY-SA 2.0 Licence)

Air China operates one of the last passenger fleets of 747-8 Intercontinentals, as well as a couple of 747-400s, though their usage has become increasingly seasonal and selective in recent years.

In winter, the aircraft is commonly rostered on high-demand domestic trunk routes such as Beijing–Shanghai, as well as international flights to key Asian cities. While not guaranteed on every route, the winter timetable historically increases the chances of seeing the type operating out of Beijing Capital (PEK) and occasionally Beijing Daxing (PKX).

It remains one of the easiest ways to catch the 747-8 in scheduled service within Asia.

Usual Routes:

• Beijing Capital – Guangzhou
• Beijing Capital – New York JFK
• Beijing Capital – Shanghai Hongqiao
• Beijing Capital – Washington Dulles

Lufthansa – Boeing 747-400 & 747-8 (To Asia)

Although Lufthansa is a European airline, its 747s are a regular sight in Asia each winter — and represent many travellers’ final opportunity to fly the 747 to the region.

From its Frankfurt hub, Lufthansa deploys both the 747-400 and 747-8 on several long-haul Asian routes during winter, including major destinations in East and South Asia.

This makes Asia one of the best parts of the world for spotting two different 747 variants within the same season: the older -400 and the modern -8 in full passenger configuration.

Usual Routes:

• Frankfurt – Beijing Capital
• Frankfurt – Bengaluru
• Frankfurt – Delhi
• Frankfurt – Shanghai Pudong
• Frankfurt – Singapore
• Frankfurt – Tokyo Haneda

Mahan Air – Boeing 747-400 (Rare but Active)

Boeing 747-422 joined Mahan Air as EP-MNA in 2008, as shown here, before being re-registered as EP-MEE in 2021. The aircraft is currently in service with Mahan Air. It was previously operated by United Airlines as N176UA. (Simisa, distributed under a CC BY-SA 3.0 Licence)

Iran’s Mahan Air remains one of the few operators still flying the Boeing 747-400 in passenger service, though the fleet is extremely small and schedules can be irregular.

While subject to operational and regulatory constraints, Mahan’s 747-400s occasionally appear on select routes within the Middle East and sometimes on wider Asian rotations alongside the airline’s A340s.

For pure aviation nostalgia, seeing a 747-400 in active service in 2024/25—especially one wearing the green-and-white Mahan livery—is a rare and memorable sight.

A Stronghold for the Queen of the Skies

Asia’s vast geography, high-demand markets and strong premium travel segments have helped preserve the Boeing 747 longer here than almost anywhere else. From the ultra-modern 747-8 to the dwindling number of passenger 747-400s, this winter remains an excellent time to spot the type across the region.

Whether it’s the distinctive shape of the 747-8 taxiing through the fog at Incheon, or a rare glimpse of a 747-400 on a Mahan Air rotation, the Queen of the Skies still rules pockets of Asia — at least for now.

There are of course many cargo and VIP operators of Boeing 747s across Asia, and so seeing the 747 is not quite so rare thankfully.