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 24, 2018, 11:40 pm
#91
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: BAEC, AerClub
Posts: 134
Apr 25, 2018, 2:54 am
#93
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: BAEC, AerClub
Posts: 134
Luckily I do have my laptop and 3 usb sticks loaded with movies. Also have a small bottle of hand sanitizer with me, so a liberal coating will be going on all surfaces I'm likely to come into contact with.
At least I'll have the new CW mattress topper thingy to act as a barrier, assuming they're loaded.
At least I'll have the new CW mattress topper thingy to act as a barrier, assuming they're loaded.
Apr 27, 2018, 9:16 am
#94
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
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Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
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I can't now remember the history off the top of my head, but I do wonder whether that some of the decisions about the 747 fleet might have been made when it was thought that they would be finally retired sooner than they now will be. ISTR that this was part of the background to the 74S (86J) project - a realisation that some of the aircraft would be around for longer. The decline from the fuel price peak may have had something to do with this, too. But I was never much of a historian.
Sadly, my crystal ball is currently INOP. If neither G-CIVM nor G-CIVN are getting the new IFE because their expected lives are too short, then I'm not going to think about guessing. Those two aircraft aren't the oldest 52Js in the fleet when listed by the rather imperfect measure of reported total hours. But IIRC, G-CIVA had an unexpected D-check and may therefore be around for a longer time than some of her sisters even though she will fairly soon become the total hours fleet leader. So anything might happen.
The BA Source tracker reports G-CIVN having returned to service on 22 April (and andyinflitwick has already reported flying CPT-LHR on her the following day). However, the CWL blog lists two 86J aircraft as the 744s currently there.
Apr 27, 2018, 11:28 pm
#96
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 7,237
My thanks to 13900 as well for the background to this.
I can't now remember the history off the top of my head, but I do wonder whether that some of the decisions about the 747 fleet might have been made when it was thought that they would be finally retired sooner than they now will be. ISTR that this was part of the background to the 74S (86J) project - a realisation that some of the aircraft would be around for longer. The decline from the fuel price peak may have had something to do with this, too. But I was never much of a historian.
Sadly, my crystal ball is currently INOP. If neither G-CIVM nor G-CIVN are getting the new IFE because their expected lives are too short, then I'm not going to think about guessing. Those two aircraft aren't the oldest 52Js in the fleet when listed by the rather imperfect measure of reported total hours. But IIRC, G-CIVA had an unexpected D-check and may therefore be around for a longer time than some of her sisters even though she will fairly soon become the total hours fleet leader. So anything might happen.
The BA Source tracker reports G-CIVN having returned to service on 22 April (and andyinflitwick has already reported flying CPT-LHR on her the following day). However, the CWL blog lists two 86J aircraft as the 744s currently there.
I can't now remember the history off the top of my head, but I do wonder whether that some of the decisions about the 747 fleet might have been made when it was thought that they would be finally retired sooner than they now will be. ISTR that this was part of the background to the 74S (86J) project - a realisation that some of the aircraft would be around for longer. The decline from the fuel price peak may have had something to do with this, too. But I was never much of a historian.
Sadly, my crystal ball is currently INOP. If neither G-CIVM nor G-CIVN are getting the new IFE because their expected lives are too short, then I'm not going to think about guessing. Those two aircraft aren't the oldest 52Js in the fleet when listed by the rather imperfect measure of reported total hours. But IIRC, G-CIVA had an unexpected D-check and may therefore be around for a longer time than some of her sisters even though she will fairly soon become the total hours fleet leader. So anything might happen.
The BA Source tracker reports G-CIVN having returned to service on 22 April (and andyinflitwick has already reported flying CPT-LHR on her the following day). However, the CWL blog lists two 86J aircraft as the 744s currently there.
Thanks!
Apr 28, 2018, 2:29 am
#98
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
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Yes, that's also the same with the older LGW 777s. For quite a while BA didn't offer UK power sockets on their aircraft, since in their original incarnation Boeing only allowed / provided for the US sockets. Gradually this has changed, so that now it's a surprise when it's USA only, but I remember being surprised to see the multiplug (which also accepts European plugs) which is now available on most aircraft.
May 2, 2018, 9:00 am
#99
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: BAEC, AerClub
Posts: 134
Leaving Vegas on BA274 tomorrow (Thursday) night. Any update on aircraft scheduled?
I see from FlightRadar24 that G-CIVN was used on this route a few days ago, so here's hoping. However, I must admit that my flight in on G-BNLY was actually quite pleasant (we were on the upper deck though).
How can I get access to this info myself? I do have a FlightRadar24 silver account, but this info doesn't seem to be available on the site/app.
On another note, I'm doing the same route next month in F both ways. I am aware that I can use the Concorde Room if I have come off a same day F flight and am on another flight out of T5 (to DUB), but does this still apply if the date of the F flight is the day before my arrival (as is the case with BA274)?
I see from FlightRadar24 that G-CIVN was used on this route a few days ago, so here's hoping. However, I must admit that my flight in on G-BNLY was actually quite pleasant (we were on the upper deck though).
How can I get access to this info myself? I do have a FlightRadar24 silver account, but this info doesn't seem to be available on the site/app.
On another note, I'm doing the same route next month in F both ways. I am aware that I can use the Concorde Room if I have come off a same day F flight and am on another flight out of T5 (to DUB), but does this still apply if the date of the F flight is the day before my arrival (as is the case with BA274)?
May 2, 2018, 9:05 am
#100
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,830
Leaving Vegas on BA274 tomorrow (Thursday) night. Any update on aircraft scheduled?
I see from FlightRadar24 that G-CIVN was used on this route a few days ago, so here's hoping. However, I must admit that my flight in on G-BNLY was actually quite pleasant (we were on the upper deck though).
How can I get access to this info myself? I do have a FlightRadar24 silver account, but this info doesn't seem to be available on the site/app.
I see from FlightRadar24 that G-CIVN was used on this route a few days ago, so here's hoping. However, I must admit that my flight in on G-BNLY was actually quite pleasant (we were on the upper deck though).
How can I get access to this info myself? I do have a FlightRadar24 silver account, but this info doesn't seem to be available on the site/app.
https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/g-bnly
May 2, 2018, 9:13 am
#101
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: BAEC, AerClub
Posts: 134
What you do in this situation is look at BA275 departing LHR. FR24 doesn't seem to make connections which would be obvious to humans! So at the moment I see G-BNLY again!
https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/g-bnly
https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/g-bnly
I really should have been capable of making that mental leap myself - as you say, "obvious to humans".
Thanks for the info, and the lesson.