Korean Air unveils Boeing 747 Exhibit at California Science Center

Seoul, May 13, 2026 - Korean Air has unveiled its donated Boeing 747 aircraft at the California Science Center’s newly named Korean Air Aviation Gallery, marking a major milestone in the airline’s long-standing partnership with the Los Angeles community.

The commemorative event, held May 12 in Los Angeles, was attended by Walter Cho, Chairman and CEO of Korean Air and Hanjin Group, and Jeffrey Rudolph, President and CEO of the California Science Center, key stakeholders and members of the media.

“For more than five decades, Los Angeles has served as a second home for Korean Air, and we are proud to support the California Science Center’s mission of innovation,” said Walter Cho, Chairman and CEO of Korean Air and Hanjin Group. “Our vision for the Korean Air Aviation Gallery is to spark curiosity and wonder in the next generation. By showcasing the science and imagination behind flight, we want to inspire young visitors to become the pilots, engineers, and innovators of tomorrow.”

“We are delighted to celebrate the installation of the first artifacts in the future Korean Air Aviation Gallery, including the Korean Air Boeing 747-400, and to have Walter Cho, Chairman of Korean Air, here with us to mark this milestone, ” said Jeffrey Rudolph, President and CEO of the California Science Center. "Together, we are creating a one-of-a-kind educational resource that will benefit not only the children and youth of our shared Los Angeles community but will inspire future generations of scientists, engineers, explorers from across the globe. We are deeply grateful to our colleagues at Korean Air for their tremendous generosity and partnership in creating a world-class science learning experience in our future Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center."

The donated Boeing 747-400, tail number HL7489, is a double-decker, wide-body aircraft standing 19.4 meters tall. The aircraft operated from 1994 to 2014, completing 13,842 flights and logging 86,095 flight hours. As one of Korean Air’s flagship aircraft, it played a pivotal role in expanding international air travel and supporting the airline’s growth into a leading global carrier.

Korean Air and the California Science Center are transforming the 70-foot forward section of the aircraft fuselage—including its upper and main decks, belly cargo hold and landing gear—into a hands-on educational exhibit. 

The 747 Experience will feature a simulated flight from Los Angeles to Seoul, Korea, in the 747 Experience Theater; a Wind Tunnels Exhibit where guests will experiment in a wind tunnel lab and “Wear-A-Wing” to understand the forces that make planes fly; and the Design a Plane Exhibit where guests will experiment with aircraft design, wing shape and parachute launches while learning how planes are engineered for different flight missions.

Visitors will be able to explore the aircraft inside and out through interactive displays highlighting:

• Landing gear and wheel mechanics

• Exposed hydraulic systems and internal structural frameworks

• Belly cargo loading operations

• An interactive cockpit display

• Virtual flight experiences detailing aerodynamic principles

• Aviation careers, including flight operations, cabin crew, air traffic control, and maintenance

• The Boeing 747's transformative impact on global aviation history

The donation reflects Korean Air’s gratitude to the Los Angeles community for more than 50 years of support and underscores the airline’s commitment to inspiring future generations through aviation education. 

The Korean Air Aviation Gallery is one of three major exhibition spaces within the California Science Center’s new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, alongside the Samuel Oschin Shuttle Gallery and the Kent Kresa Space Gallery. Named in recognition of Korean Air’s sponsorship, the gallery will showcase the 747 alongside approximately 20 aircraft. 

Aircraft already installed and suspended from the ceiling include a Grumman F11F-1 Tiger (U.S. Navy’s first supersonic fighter jet), a Convair F-106A Delta Dart (the fastest single-engine turbojet-powered airplane), a Pitts Special S-1C (aerobatic kit biplane) and a Hawker Siddeley Harrier T.4 (first jet with operational vertical/short takeoff and landing capabilities). An opening date for the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center has not been announced.

Tags: Walter Cho, Korean Air, Korean Air Aviation Gallery Jeffrey Rudolph, California Science Center