dj_jay_smith

Correct. I would say look on wikipedia, but it is down today


I think that AF1 is actually technically not a 747 because it is so highly customised that most of it was built from the ground up and they (there are 2) are known as VC-25As. But of course it has the same look, and most people (not FTers!) assume that it is just a VIP version.

BahrainLad

I think CX had -300s, yes.

srbrenna

I'll attempt to out-geek you
BA has operated 101 747s:
18 x 747-136
16 x 747-236
1 x 747-236F (Reg: G-KILO)
5 x 747-XXX - Ex-BCal (included the reg G-HUGE)
4 x 747-XXX - Leased frames from Aer Lingus, MEA and SAS
57 x 747-436

The classics were in the process of being retired when the final 436 (G-BYGG) was delivered in 1999 at which time BA operated 81 747s:
8 x 747-136
16 x 747-236
57 x 747-436

I'm off out as my New Year's resolution was to get out more

BlackBerryAddict

Easy

Excluding freighters and narrow bodies used for long haul (such as the BA A318s and the Privatair aircraft), but including combis there are two airlines that only run 747s as their long haul (widebody) aircraft: Lion Air from Indonesia with 2 747s and Pullmantour Air (part of Marsans Group) with 3 in service.


(and no ACMIs, haj operators and the like either)

steve_w

I did a lot of east-coast TATL on the original 747s (the Lakes class) in the 90s, they were great aircraft, if a little past their prime - I remember Ullswater smoking like a tramp steamer taking off out of PHL, and the CW cabin tended to smell of the toilet chemicals if you were a little close to the facilities...

I miss named aircraft in the fleet.

BApilotinsider

You'll be pleased to know we still have a plaque on the flightdeck of the 747's which still shows the name of each aircraft.

BlackBerryAddict

I only looked at year end - the last six -436s were delivered during 1999, and the -136s were being retired during the year - by the end there were none left. So yes, for a short time BA operated 81 (or even 81) 747s.

I'll try to join you outside

LHR-HUB

So, if you're able to say, which plane is "City of Edinburgh"?
I ask as, when I was younger, I thought that were all called that as it seemed that that was the one we always got on.

I too miss the names. Only for stupid reasons, but I think a name is nicer than just a reg number.

BApilotinsider

Sorry, don't have a list. Must work on my geek status...

City of Edinburgh was of course famous, as they had a small 'incident' over Jakarta in 1982, but she was a 747-236 and is long since retired....

Not sure if one of the 744's still carries the name.

amaroo

I like how QF have the name & type written on the side of the plane^

Wonder, why others don't do the same!

evanderm

Use google's cached version of the page Air Force One


in 1982 the name was carried by G-BDXH a 747-236B. It flew BA9 in the original Ash-Cloud incident.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Airways_Flight_9

or for use during the blackout: this link
KL do.

steve_w

^^

ExpatExp

Agreed very strongly.

Has anyone found a cabin as peaceful as the front of a 747, on the lower deck? Private aircraft excluded, of course (though in my experience, the F cabin on a BA 747 is much quieter than many private jets).

To me, this is the greatest benefit of 747 service: nobody stampeding past your seat, no crew going in and out of the cockpit, and very little flight attendant activity (compared to F on a 777, for example).

Indeed, I remember my first flight in F on a BA 777. It was on DXB-LHR, following a lovely and peaceful LHR-DXB in F on a 747 a few days earlier. The overall experience was like night and day, with cabin noise and activity levels far, far greater on the 777 than on the 747. I particularly remember the foot-pounding as cabin crew rushed to and fro throughout the flight. It was such a profound difference from the 747 that it made me question the value of the service. I assume crew are meant to tread softly as they walk from CW, through F, to the front of the aircraft?

I know we don't know the layout of the A380s yet, but I wonder if there will be such a sanctuary at the front of one of the decks? The two stairways will preclude that, I suppose…

Yes, I will miss the 747s.

DeadManFlying

I was copying some old Hi8 video tapes across and found one from a visit to SFO, all the usual things like cable car rides and Alcatraz ect but right at the end was a short shot from the old BA lounge in the international terminal of my 747 waiting at the gate.
I could see it had a short upper deck and as it zoomed in on the tail the registration was G-BDXC a 236B, I seem to remember that it had the cradle seats but as I had not recorded on the case or the tape the date I only know that it must have been before 08/03/02 when it left BA service.
I also remember how quiet it was downstairs on the outbound 2 sisters with 3 children on the A side with me and an older couple on the K side and one of the cabin crew coming down to gossip from upstairs saying how jam packed it was upstairs.
It brought back nice memories and I'll also be sorry to see the 747's retired.


DMF

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A scorpion in Sweden?

Maluku_Flyer

So how long will it take until LH ends up having the most - considering they're one of the few carriers having ordered the lucky 8s?