British Airways will retire its first Boeing 747 tomorrow since it announced last month that its 31 jumbo jets had sadly flown its last commercial services.
The Boeing 747-400, registration G-CIVD, will depart London Heathrow on Tuesday, August 18 at 9 am local time with flight number BA9170E after more than 25 magnificent years of flight.
British Airways’ fleet of 747s is retiring at an accelerating rate as a result of the devastating impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had on the airline and aviation sector, which is not expected to recover to 2019 levels until at least 2024.
Al Bridger, British Airways director of flight operations, said: “All of us at British Airways and many of our customers will have fond memories and special moments from our travels on the iconic jumbo jet.
“As a pilot who was lucky enough to fly the aircraft, the magnitude of it was unforgettable, literally looking down at other aircraft. It changed aviation forever when it took to the skies and I know I speak on behalf of our customers and the global aviation community when I say that despite moving right toward more sustainable ways of flying, we will miss the 747 very much. “
The 747 has been an iconic part of the British Airways fleet for almost fifty years. At one point, the airline operated 57 of the planes, with the jumbo jet’s first flight to New York in 1971.
British Airways was phasing out aircraft as they reached the end of their working lives to help meet the company’s carbon neutral commitment by 2050. The airline has invested heavily in new and modern long-haul aircraft, including six Airbus A350s and 32 Boeing 787s, which are 25% more fuel efficient than the 747.
—
