Apr 5, 2018, 3:58 am
Last edit by: Globaliser
In April 2018 BA announced that they had started a programme to refurbish the cabins on the Mid-J 747-400 fleet. In January 2020, this programme was completed.
As part of the refurbishment all of the aircraft involved have undergone a basic refresh which consisted of:
* Full aircraft deep clean
* Seats in WT/WTP refurbished with new seat foams and cushions as on Super Hi-J aircraft
9 of the aircraft received an ENHANCED refurbishment to bring the cabin up to the same standard as the Super Hi-J 747-400 fleet. This consisted of what is listed above plus:
* New carpets fitted throughout
* All curtains replaced
* New Panasonic IFE fitted in all classes
Note: It was initially believed that the enhanced refurbishment included LED mood lighting throughout, but this is not the case. All retained standard lighting. There were no plans to install WiFi to any Mid-J configured 747-400 aircraft.
Note: Aircraft that have undergone an ENHANCED refurbishment are shown in red
Aircraft are listed below in the order that they were refurbished and show return to service date, along with retirement date where applicable.
G-CIVU - 11 October 2019
G-BNLY - 24 November 2019
Mid-J 747 Cabin Refresh
Apr 22, 2018, 5:07 am
#76
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: United Kingdom
Programs: BAEC Blue, Flying Blue Silver, Hilton Gold, Marriot Gold
Posts: 817
A friend recently did YVR-LHR on CIVM. He later said to me the aircraft was [expletive deleted]. He usually flys Air Canada but switched to BA as a one off because of price. He said Air Canadas 10Y 77W was miles ahead.
Last edited by Prospero; Apr 22, 2018 at 5:31 am Reason: to comply with rule 16
Apr 22, 2018, 6:25 am
#77
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,771
It is. And this also reflects my belief that - at least in Y - the vast majority of passengers judge longhaul aircraft first and foremost on the quality of IFE.
good IFE = good plane = good airline
crap IFE = crap plane = crap airline
overhead IFE = what year are we in?!?
Emirates worked this out long ago. BA not so much.
good IFE = good plane = good airline
crap IFE = crap plane = crap airline
overhead IFE = what year are we in?!?
Emirates worked this out long ago. BA not so much.
Apr 22, 2018, 6:40 am
#78
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 6,349
It is. And this also reflects my belief that - at least in Y - the vast majority of passengers judge longhaul aircraft first and foremost on the quality of IFE.
good IFE = good plane = good airline
crap IFE = crap plane = crap airline
overhead IFE = what year are we in?!?
Emirates worked this out long ago. BA not so much.
good IFE = good plane = good airline
crap IFE = crap plane = crap airline
overhead IFE = what year are we in?!?
Emirates worked this out long ago. BA not so much.
Apr 22, 2018, 6:48 am
#79
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Bronze
Posts: 1,090
Firstly thanks @13900 for the detail and clarification.
The view I would take is that such a gap shouldn't have been allowed to arise in the first place. We have known the state of these aircraft for a long time, and I think a decision should have been taken to make at least some improvements to them some years ago. Even if that was just the minimal 'scrub' they're doing now. As it is, they have left it so late that the damage is already done - perception of BA's product in markets served by these aircraft I would guess is pretty bad.
[ETA: as Dave_C said!]
The view I would take is that such a gap shouldn't have been allowed to arise in the first place. We have known the state of these aircraft for a long time, and I think a decision should have been taken to make at least some improvements to them some years ago. Even if that was just the minimal 'scrub' they're doing now. As it is, they have left it so late that the damage is already done - perception of BA's product in markets served by these aircraft I would guess is pretty bad.
[ETA: as Dave_C said!]
Unfortunately the 787 engine issue will impact the rate at which things change as aircraft are substituted to cover various services.
Apr 22, 2018, 7:37 am
#81
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 10
I have to agree as an economy passenger the thing I value most is IFE & how clean and modern the plane looks. You are so right in saying crap IFE instantly upsets a passenger on long haul as that’s what entertains you for the long flight.
We we are flying outwards to New York and back from Las Vegas on a BA 747 in June and I imagine I won’t enjoy the Las Vegas sector.
We we are flying outwards to New York and back from Las Vegas on a BA 747 in June and I imagine I won’t enjoy the Las Vegas sector.
Apr 22, 2018, 7:54 am
#82
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 2,422
Apr 22, 2018, 12:59 pm
#84
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 12,262
Reading the six hour shampoo comment, I’m still surprised the aircraft that spend hours at overseas bases were not rotated for thorough cleans at the out stations every 8/12 weeks, where labour costs may have been cheaper too
Apr 22, 2018, 3:02 pm
#85
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 2,221
Apr 23, 2018, 6:31 am
#86
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: BAEC, AerClub
Posts: 134
Apr 23, 2018, 11:14 am
#88
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Silver,
Posts: 72
I’m currently on G-CIVN which is operating BA58 CPT-LHR this evening. It has been spruced up and actually it looks pretty good!
The seats in Y and W have been recovered
New carpets throughout
Its clean - even the walls, ceilings, bulkheads and doors!
However, G-CIVN still has Rockwell Collins IFE as per previous comments.
The seats in Y and W have been recovered
New carpets throughout
Its clean - even the walls, ceilings, bulkheads and doors!
However, G-CIVN still has Rockwell Collins IFE as per previous comments.
Apr 24, 2018, 4:00 pm
#90
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 12,262