Upcycling Goods Production and Sales Project: Transforming Retired Aircraft into Unique Products

Korean Air has launched its fourth upcycling brand product, utilizing materials from the dismantling process of a Boeing 777-200ER (domestic aircraft registration number HL7721). This aircraft, which began flying in October 2003 and retired in May 2020, has flown 11,637 times to 98 airports worldwide, covering a total distance of 62,826,262 km.

Unique Products Made from Aircraft Materials

The main products are name tags and golf ball markers cut from a part of the fuselage, made of aluminum alloy duralumin, which is both light and strong. Different colors, such as sky blue, blue, and red, were applied depending on the part of the fuselage used. Each product features a unique serial number and color combination, adding an element of fun and exclusivity.

The name tag was redesigned in the shape of a tail wing, evoking memories of air travel. The Korean Air logo is prominently displayed to emphasize the airline’s identity, while the aircraft type and number are engraved to highlight the upcycling process. A limited quantity service is available to engrave the customer’s name and contact information on the name tag.

The ball markers come in two designs: a sky blue product with a Taegeuk mark pattern and a product featuring various colors applied depending on the part of the fuselage.

Purchasing Upcycling Goods

The HL7721 name tag and ball marker can be purchased at the ‘Upcycling Goods’ corner of the iSky Shop, the official sales website for Korean Air brand goods.

Korean Air’s Commitment to ESG Management

Since 2021, Korean Air has been practicing ESG management by releasing upcycled products using retired aircraft. This initiative aims to reduce waste and promote environmental sustainability. Previous upcycling projects have included name tags made from HL7530 (Boeing 777-200ER) and HL7461 (Boeing 747-400), as well as travel pouches and tote bags produced from old in-flight life jackets.

Korean Air is committed to creating new value from discarded in-flight items, minimizing environmental pollution factors throughout the production and packaging stages. A portion of the proceeds from these projects is donated to environmental organizations.

A Commitment to Environmental Protection and Customer Satisfaction

A Korean Air official stated, “Korean Air will continue to present various upcycling goods using scrap aircraft materials, contributing to environmental protection by recycling resources and providing special enjoyment to customers who have fond memories of air travel.”