(TAN): British Airways announced on July 17 that its fleet of Boeing 747 aircraft, also known as ‘jumbo jets’, are likely to have flown their last scheduled commercial service.
The airline has proposed to retire its remaining fleet of 31 747-400 jumbo jets with immediate effect following the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the airline and the aviation sector, which is not predicted to recover to 2019 levels until 2023/24.
Just a year ago, British Airways had re-painted three of its jumbo jets, also known as the Queen of the Skies, in heritage colours to mark the company’s centenary. The BOAC jet put in a guest appearance with the Red Arrows much to the delight of spectators at the Royal International Air Tattoo.
[ALSO READ: The Ritz-Carlton Nikko Opens, Promises Immersive Japanese Cultural Experience]
The fuel-guzzling aircraft were slowly being phased out by British Airways and the airline has invested heavily in new, modern long-haul aircraft including six A350s and 32 787s which are around 25% more fuel-efficient than the 747. As part of the airline’s GBP 6.5 billion (USD 8.17 billion) injection into customer experience in recent years, existing aircraft have been refurbished and the brand new arrivals have come into the British Airways’ fleet complete with a luxurious business class Club Suite product.
Alex Cruz, British Airways’ Chairman and CEO, said: “This is not how we wanted or expected to have to say goodbye to our incredible fleet of 747 aircraft. It is a heart-breaking decision to have to make…. They will always hold a special place in our hearts at British Airways.”
“We have committed to making our fleet more environmentally friendly as we look to reduce the size of our business to reflect the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on aviation. As painful as it is, this is the most logical thing for us to propose.”
[ALSO READ: UNWTO Launches Startup Contest With Sustainable Development Goals In Focus]
BOAC operated its first 747 London to New York service on April 14, 1971 and in July 1989 the first British Airways 747-400, the aircraft type the airline still flies today, took to the skies.
Plane spotters who lined Heathrow’s perimeter fences would watch as the 747-400 would typically take off at 180 mph and reach cruising speeds in the sky of up to 565 mph. Over the next decade, the airline took delivery of 56 more of the aircraft, with its final plane delivered in April 1999. At the time, it was the largest commercial aircraft in the world, and it remained so until the Airbus A380 took to the skies in 2007.
At one point, British Airways operated 57 747-400 aircraft. The original aircraft featured 27 First Class seats and 292 Economy seats. Initially, the upper deck, widely described as the bubble, contained a lounge, with lounge chair seating.
Today’s aircraft can seat up to 345 customers in four classes – First, Club World (Business), World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy) and World Traveller (Economy). British Airways recently refreshed the interiors of a number of its 747 aircraft which were expected to remain in service for several years to come.
The airline’s jumbo jets are currently grounded at various locations in the UK and are now only expected to fly again when they make their final journeys.
