BA to scrap entire 747 fleet

Skuxx

Just heard from a friend of mine who is a BA cabin service manager that they have announced the scrapping of the entire 747 fleet with immediate effect!

The only link I can find at the moment is from the Daily Mail so I won't even bother to link that, but I'm sure it'll be elsewhere soon!!

Jack1985

Comes as no great surprise other than that BA will be have to be significantly smaller in terms of employment requirements as a result and will be much smaller going forward, 28 of them in the fleet - I had already heard BA were targing 40 aircraft early retirements.

They were already letting Pilots and Cabin Crew recencies expire. BA is severely exposed to Long-Haul travel particularly in the US.

BZ

Skuxx wrote: »

Just heard from a friend of mine who is a BA cabin service manager that they have announced the scrapping of the entire 747 fleet with immediate effect!

The only link I can find at the moment is from the Daily Mail so I won't even bother to link that, but I'm sure it'll be elsewhere soon!!

Saw a copy of the memo sent to staff confirming the retirement on another site a short time ago......sad day. Had the pleasure of flying on the BA 747s a few times in the past few years. Nothing beats the Queen of the skies.

Arthur Daley

Must include the couple they had in for the retro paint jobs in Dublin last year. Who knew they'd be so short lived.

Cookiemunster

Arthur Daley wrote: »

Must include the couple they had in for the retro paint jobs in Dublin last year. Who knew they'd be so short lived.

They were due for retirement around 2023/24.

dfx-

the BOAC one is already out of Heathrow - Cardiff maybe, but was supposed to be storage...

kevinandrew

A real shame, we all knew their days were numbered with the retirement coming in 2024 but at least that gave people a chance for one last flight. I’ve no doubt BA would have put on a special farewell tour for the aircraft as well in normal times.

All those plans have been thrown out of the window now.

Noxegon

End of an era. I can’t help but wonder if their A380s will also be retired now.

tedpan

BBC News

California Dreamer

One of the reports I read was that it cost £13000 for a 747 to land at Heathrow in various charges.

Board Walker

I'm devastated! I was due to go to Vancouver with work next January and was hoping that would be my first trip! They used the 747 to Seoul with Korean for a bit back in late 2017 and my flight from Russia to Seoul was cancelled and i got re reouted through Moscow. It appears its just like to MD11 - Never to be for me

Bogwoppit

Got to the upper deck of a BA 747 for the first time late last year, was looking forward to doing it again. Lovely bus to be in.

Nijmegen

Board Walker wrote: »

I'm devastated! I was due to go to Vancouver with work next January and was hoping that would be my first trip! They used the 747 to Seoul with Korean for a bit back in late 2017 and my flight from Russia to Seoul was cancelled and i got re reouted through Moscow. It appears its just like to MD11 - Never to be for me

Please don’t book any flights on an A380 so, the rest of us want one more chance....!

smurfjed

I thought that the economy class in the BA747’s totally sucked, they really appeared to cram in the seats.

Cookiemunster

smurfjed wrote: »

I thought that the economy class in the BA747’s totally sucked, they really appeared to cram in the seats.

Totally agree. Did a trip to Aus a number of years ago. The two legs out and the first leg back were Qantas, that last leg was BA. I couldn't believe the difference in the comfort level between the two. I felt like a sardine of the BA flight.

smurfjed

The funny thing is that both of them operated the B744 with a 31 inch economy seat pitch, maybe there is a difference in seat design, but having flown on both, the BA seats really suck.

trellheim

BA 744 economy was the worst mainline product I've ever been in

Inquitus

I used my AA points and took myself and the missus to JFK via LHR business class a few years back, upper deck, was a real treat!

ohigg84

Very very sad news!
2020 has been a total write off as a year!

Was hoping to fly on one of the retro 747s.

At one stage, BA operated the largest fleet of 747-400s in the world, 57 in total!

Aviation will be a lot duller now!!

Nijmegen

BA economy is definitely crap. The thrill of a 747 was either going in the nose or upper deck depending on your budget and desires. I guess Lufthansa will continue to fly its 748s for a while so you’ll be able to get the experience. In fact a first class trip beginning in Frankfurt is like a spa treatment end to end for AVGeeks with the money.

HTCOne

Nijmegen wrote: »

BA economy is definitely crap. The thrill of a 747 was either going in the nose or upper deck depending on your budget and desires. I guess Lufthansa will continue to fly its 748s for a while so you’ll be able to get the experience. In fact a first class trip beginning in Frankfurt is like a spa treatment end to end for AVGeeks with the money.

I’d say that “thrill” was also missing from the BA J product on the 747 in recent years. You were sat staring into a strangers face in a plastic seat with zero storage space and a tray table that bent into your lap when anything heavier than a newspaper was placed on it!

In fairness to them they took that criticism on board and have decided to replace the product early. The A350s debut the new J which I haven’t had the pleasure of but hear is very good. New delivery 777s I believe will also have it.

afatbollix

trellheim wrote: »

BA 744 economy was the worst mainline product I've ever been in

You obviously havn't been on the 787 or the 777 in 10 across. Hell is more nicer.

The twin seats down the back of the 747 were the best seats in economy that I have flown anyway.

You get about 90% of a seat space between you and the window. A more than likly chance no one would sit beside you and in luck last time no one in front of me to recline into my face.



I shall miss the old bird, I've done row 2 and and the last row among my many flights on one. Gutted I never got to try upstairs.

ednwireland

afatbollix wrote: »

You obviously havn't been on the 787 or the 777 in 10 across. Hell is more nicer.

The twin seats down the back of the 747 were the best seats in economy that I have flown anyway.

You get about 90% of a seat space between you and the window. A more than likly chance no one would sit beside you and in luck last time no one in front of me to recline into my face.

booked those two when i flew back from mexico with the OH great seats didnt have to annoy anyone else going to the loo. flight attendant kept bringing us free drink got hammered that was BA. did a 12 hour to singapore in 2000. loved flying on the 747.

Turbulent Bill

They are / were absolutely iconic for BA. I'm surprised they didn't keep at least a few available for farewell tours or passing-the-batten marketing activities once Covid starts to recede, especially given they're well paid off at this stage.

PinOnTheRight

Turbulent Bill wrote: »

They are / were absolutely iconic for BA. I'm surprised they didn't keep at least a few available for farewell tours or passing-the-batten marketing activities once Covid starts to recede, especially given they're well paid off at this stage.

Did they not have a PR disaster last year when they had planned a few domestic 747 flights as part of their 100th anniversary but canned them quickly supposedly due to environmentalist kickback?

NutmegGirl

Flew on the upper deck with BA to Denver a few years back
Backwards facing seat next to window, acres of room & storage, but cloud most of the way so saw v little and entertainment unit didn’t work most of the flight and no spare seats to move to. It was v dated , they def weren’t spending any money on upgrading the decor but nice to have done
Flew on a South African airways flight to LHR-Cape Town about 20 years ago, 12 hrs overnight in economy, with a 20 month old between 2 of us on our laps, not my favourite flight of all time, but not the worst either, first long haul flight

The J Stands for Jay

BZ wrote: »

Saw a copy of the memo sent to staff confirming the retirement on another site a short time ago......sad day. Had the pleasure of flying on the BA 747s a few times in the past few years. Nothing beats the Queen of the skies.

I've flown on a few BA 747s, and they weren't great. Old an noisy, and one where the Aircon wouldn't work on the ground on an extremely humid evening in Hong Kong. Their 777 was far superior.

The J Stands for Jay

Board Walker wrote: »

I'm devastated! I was due to go to Vancouver with work next January and was hoping that would be my first trip! They used the 747 to Seoul with Korean for a bit back in late 2017 and my flight from Russia to Seoul was cancelled and i got re reouted through Moscow. It appears its just like to MD11 - Never to be for me

I've had a few trips on the MD-11, horrible yokes.

x567

Bye bye 62K. One of my favourite seats on one of my favourite aircraft...

Jack1985

x567 wrote: »

Bye bye 62K. One of my favourite seats on one of my favourite aircraft...

Never had the opportunity to fly on her, which is an awful shame. Was 62K on the upper deck?

Foggy43

Jack1985 wrote: »

Never had the opportunity to fly on her, which is an awful shame. Was 62K on the upper deck?

Yes, 62K is Upper Deck looking Aft, just forward of the right Upper Deck door. Upper Deck has rows 60ABJK to 64ABJK.

To be honest all BA staff knew it was the end when all B747 pilots got an email from their cheif pilot saying the B747 simulators were now closed. No further training would be available. This was well over a month ago. Strange BA would make it public the end of the B747 the evening of the day all staff recieved an email giving two choices. 1. Take voluntary redundancy or 2. Reapply for your job.

x567

Foggy43 wrote: »

Yes, 62K is Upper Deck looking Aft, just forward of the right Upper Deck door. Upper Deck has rows 60ABJK to 64ABJK.

62K & 62A were the best seats up there. Plenty of space and no-one to climb over to get to the aisle.

circular flexing

It was only in 2015/2016 that they spent (probably) a fair bit of money upgrading 18 of the 747s to have more J seats for routes with high J demand (e.g. LHR-JFK) and only in January of this year did they finish refurbing the rest.

dfx-

NutmegGirl wrote: »

Flew on the upper deck with BA to Denver a few years back
Backwards facing seat next to window, acres of room & storage, but cloud most of the way so saw v little and entertainment unit didn’t work most of the flight and no spare seats to move to. It was v dated , they def weren’t spending any money on upgrading the decor but nice to have done
Flew on a South African airways flight to LHR-Cape Town about 20 years ago, 12 hrs overnight in economy, with a 20 month old between 2 of us on our laps, not my favourite flight of all time, but not the worst either, first long haul flight

Upper deck economy 15 years ago on South African 747-400s was excellent, rear economy was not pleasant, badly ageing. Not comfortable especially compared to their then new A340-600s.

Now a type also going/gone...

NutmegGirl

This was rear economy unfortunately
Was happy to fly on it though as had never been on one
They were v good with kids though, gave her a backpack filled with games etc, which she used as her school lunchbag for years , still have it somewhere and a baseball cap too

Nijmegen

My first ever 747 flight was with KLM out to Asia. I remember arriving at the gate and just going “Wow”. The profile of the aircraft has never been matched in the modern era. Agree a lot of the -400 fleets have been dated inside for a while now. Flying in the nose of an -800 with Lufthansa is on my bucket list.

For the -8 it’s basically Lufty, Korean or Air China; and Lufthansa is your only realistic option for a European connection if you’re not going specifically to Korea or China. I’d say grab one while they’re going...

Inquitus

I got a KLM 747 from Schipol to Shanghai it must be 15 years ago, was a horrific economy flight for work, they didn't even have an in seat entertainment system, was the old dropdown from the aisle ceiling CRT's from many moons ago. I got stuck in a middle seat for the duration, worst ever experience on a 747!

faceman

Yeah let’s be honest. Economy on the 747 was terrible for most. I was on the upper deck once but I can’t remember it as I was a teenager.

I’ve flown business and premium economy with BA on it. Business felt dated 10 years ago but as always with BA the service was excellent.

I’ve even got to hang in the cockpit with the pilot pre-9/11 when I was a teenager on the 742 and 744.

As beautiful a plane it is to look at it’s also so noisy onboard. Definitely a drawback!

afatbollix

At least the noise covers the snorers...

I had a B787 this year and honest to god some lad was snoring the place down. I could hear him through my ear plugs and the wife woke me up thinking it was me but it was the guy about 6 rows in front of us....

alentejo

I always loved the B747- Loved the back rows of economy on BA - the two seaters (52?). Always thought the seats while old fashioned were more comfy than new generation seats.

I always loved the 4 engines. Something about flying over the Atlantic at night - just always felt safer that modern equivalent 2 engine aircraft....irrational I know.

Will miss the BA 747's - Airports will be less interesting from now on!

smurfjed

Nicest one that I flew on was owned by the King of Saudi Arabia

Rowley Birkin QC

Flew twice on a BA747 to Thailand and back. Pretty crap to be honest, very tired and cramped old bird.

Have since flown transatlantic with Aer Lingus in both business and economy and the planes felt infinitely fresher.

Glad I got to experience it though, still chasing a spin in an A380. Only Concorde experience was seeing the one at the USS Intrepid museum.

The J Stands for Jay

dfx- wrote: »

Upper deck economy 15 years ago on South African 747-400s was excellent, rear economy was not pleasant, badly ageing. Not comfortable especially compared to their then new A340-600s.

Now a type also going/gone...

4 engines are on the way out. Looks like it'll be all over once the last of the A380s go.

Nijmegen

The A380 has beautiful stability and provides a very comfortable ride by all accounts. Pity to see it go too.

Though as everyone notes, from the outside they may be imposing but inside it depends on the carrier and the class you're flying in!

Sexual Chocolate

I've flown on Virgins 747 and found it alright. Dunno how different economy is compared to BA.

I've never experienced a 777 that's 10 abreast (only 9) but surely that's much worse no ?

Lorddrakul

Many years ago, was in NYC for a wedding. Over on Friday, back on Sunday night.
We were on airline staff tickets, but all flights were full.
Listed everywhere but were contemplating heading back to the city as it looked like we would have no joy.

Also, as you could imagine, having been at an Irish wedding, we were not fighting fit.

Then, from the back of the still crowded kiosk, a BA agent literally goes "Pssst!"

And beckons us over with boarding cards. She just smiled the most mischievous smile and said "Run!".

We made it as they were closing the doors and the cabin crew said just hang on, and we were stood in a galley as they pushed back.

They apologised profusely, as they were not able to seat us together. I bade goodbye to my good lady as she was led up the stairs of a 747-400!

I was seated in business class, and had my first ever experience of a lie flat seat. Being a Sunday night flight to London from JFK, we were settled down fairly quickly. I had a brandy hot chocolate and enjoyed the longest spell of uninterrupted sleep I have ever had aboard a plane.

Years earlier, while on contract with Lufthansa, I had worked on 400s from Singapore and Malaysian, IIRC. They seemed so luxurious up the front and up top. I never thought I would experience the delight.

I recall very vividly, standing on the docks around the wings and marvelling at the sheer size of the wingtips. I put my hand on the very edge and gave it a little push down, like testing a bike's suspension. I got a proper fright when the bastard started flapping up and down and didn't want to stop!

Thankfully I was on a nightshift and was not observed as I scarpered.

Impressive beasts from every angle, they will certainly be missed from the skies and the airports.

ohigg84

I wish BA ordered the 747-8I, and not ordered the hideous A380.

The 747-8I would have been a logical successor to the 744s.

Considering BA were interested in ordering the 748, I wonder why they decided against it?

Foggy43

ohigg84 wrote: »

Considering BA were interested in ordering the 748, I wonder why they decided against it?

I can't recall BA having an interest in the B747-8. BA or IAG Cargo had 4 -8 jumbos but got rid of them.
I think Airbus back then where crying out for major players to fly the A380. I have no idea what deal was done but I bet BA did well out of it. At BA the A380's future is not good. It's all down to fuel burn. It will probably be October before there is any definite press release form BA on the A380.

HTCOne

Foggy43 wrote: »

I can't recall BA having an interest in the B747-8. BA or IAG Cargo had 4 -8 jumbos but got rid of them.
I think Airbus back then where crying out for major players to fly the A380. I have no idea what deal was done but I bet BA did well out of it. At BA the A380's future is not good. It's all down to fuel burn. It will probably be October before there is any definite press release form BA on the A380.

There was a pair of 747-8Fs operated under contract for BA in BA colours by another airline, can remember the operator was listed as GSS in the flight plan.

Funny thing is a couple of years ago BA were in talks with Airbus for a new order for more A380s but walked away when Airbus wouldn’t drop their asking price enough. Bet BA are glad they walked now.....

The last time I was upstairs on a 747 was an Aer Lingus one so my memory is faded. The 747 is a good looking aircraft, but for me the passenger experience doesn’t come close to the 380, which is freakishly quiet. The bars and showers upstairs on the 380 also put it in a different league for me.

donkey balls

HTCOne wrote: »

There was a pair of 747-8Fs operated under contract for BA in BA colours by another airline, can remember the operator was listed as GSS in the flight plan.

Global supply systems was the company with the BA livery BAWC 748F, Be a regular visitor to STN like the rest of the freighters think their barred from LHR like all freighters and sent to STN.