Farewell 767s. Thanks for the memories
Aug 23, 2018, 8:31 am
#76
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: South Glos, UK
Programs: BAEC Silver/OW Sapphire
Posts: 1,157
Just managed to snaffle a back to back to FCO using a companion voucher that was going to expire otherwise.
Going out in J so a glass or 2 of bubbles on board to toast the old girl's retirement.
Crossing fingers and hoping there isn't a last minute equipment change.
Going out in J so a glass or 2 of bubbles on board to toast the old girl's retirement.
Crossing fingers and hoping there isn't a last minute equipment change.
Aug 24, 2018, 1:01 am
#78
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
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Boys, if you want to get nostalgic about the 767-300, then get you to the USA and fly on one of AA's vintage aircraft. They've tarted them up with new interiors and it has to be said that the F or J or whatever it is are excellent. However they are OLD, and indeed the service aboard will probably underwhelm you these days.
Aug 25, 2018, 10:50 pm
#79
Moderator, Emirates
Join Date: Oct 2012
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I will miss the old birds. From my early flying days between London & Glasgow, I always tried to get a 757 or 767 Service. When the 757 went, made and attempt for the 767 service rather than the A32X.
For me, the Airbus family don’t have a mark on these old air warriors for comfort, although they have shown their age in the past few years.
Fond memories of flying intra-Europe and domestic on the 767 but had a couple of long haul flights too. Furthest I went on one was MAN-SYD with two technical stops outbound and return in DXB & SIN but that was on Airtours (AIH) just after I qualified as a nurse many years ago. Unfortunately the cabin layout was as charters tend to be - crammed in with not a lot of space.
Shortly thereafter I moved down south and started experiencing BA domestic flights and the difference in cabin configuration was night and day from both carriers.
Best long haul on a 767 was definitely the inaugural flight To PLS in 2000. It was strange not to be on a 747 or 777 going such a distance but it was surprisingly comfortable. If memory serves correctly, it was a fairly new cabin refit (in Y) at the time.
Furthest on a BA 767 was to BOG via CCS in early 2004. Was my last flight working for my old firm and got upgraded to J for the return (old cradle seats). Having only been on 747 & 777 J on BA with the cradle seats, the 767 ones felt remarkably smaller if memory serves me correctly despite, again, if I remember correctly being in a 2-2-2 configuration.
Ah, the memories.....
S
For me, the Airbus family don’t have a mark on these old air warriors for comfort, although they have shown their age in the past few years.
Fond memories of flying intra-Europe and domestic on the 767 but had a couple of long haul flights too. Furthest I went on one was MAN-SYD with two technical stops outbound and return in DXB & SIN but that was on Airtours (AIH) just after I qualified as a nurse many years ago. Unfortunately the cabin layout was as charters tend to be - crammed in with not a lot of space.
Shortly thereafter I moved down south and started experiencing BA domestic flights and the difference in cabin configuration was night and day from both carriers.
Best long haul on a 767 was definitely the inaugural flight To PLS in 2000. It was strange not to be on a 747 or 777 going such a distance but it was surprisingly comfortable. If memory serves correctly, it was a fairly new cabin refit (in Y) at the time.
Furthest on a BA 767 was to BOG via CCS in early 2004. Was my last flight working for my old firm and got upgraded to J for the return (old cradle seats). Having only been on 747 & 777 J on BA with the cradle seats, the 767 ones felt remarkably smaller if memory serves me correctly despite, again, if I remember correctly being in a 2-2-2 configuration.
Ah, the memories.....
S
Aug 27, 2018, 9:50 am
#80
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: London, UK & Oslo, Norway
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Not aware of one, but I've booked a CE jolly to LHR-LCA out on 24th November and back on 25th on the probability that the BA663 on 25th is the last revenue flight for BA. Managed to snaffle MrSimonR's footwetting 1D, for the outbound but only managed Row 2 on the last flight.
Sep 23, 2018, 6:44 am
#82
Join Date: May 2015
Programs: BAEC back to silver, Flying Blue Silver
Posts: 406
Have booked one last flight on it before it goes. The only time I could squeeze something in was Sunday 28 October when I am doing a back to back to ARN.
To end of September looks like the 767 is on MAD, AMS, ARN, FRA, EDI, FCO, LCA, and ATH.
During the last week of October the remaining 767 routes are dropped. From 6 November onwards it is just LCA, and the last 767 flights in the system currently is the LCA rotation on Sunday 25 November.
To end of September looks like the 767 is on MAD, AMS, ARN, FRA, EDI, FCO, LCA, and ATH.
During the last week of October the remaining 767 routes are dropped. From 6 November onwards it is just LCA, and the last 767 flights in the system currently is the LCA rotation on Sunday 25 November.
I will miss those planes (like I still miss the big KLM A310's flying to LHR back in the day).
Last edited by Great_circle; Sep 23, 2018 at 6:51 am
Sep 23, 2018, 8:16 am
#83
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
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I just flew what i think will be my last 767 flight back from AMS today. I had the seat blocked next to me but otherwise a pretty uneventful flight - it is time for them to go as they are showing their age but I will also miss seeing them - despite there only being a few left, I seem to catch them at all sorts of airports - it is as if they multiple and get themselves to lots of destinations!
Regards
aks120
Regards
aks120
Sep 23, 2018, 8:44 am
#84
Community Director
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I've had three AMS flights in the past few weeks, the most recent also this morning - including an ex-EU B2B on which the CC insisted we visit the flight deck after. The captain and FO had been flying solely 767s for about 12 years and their belief was that our particular metal had at least another 10 to go, so these may well end up being sold on rather than scrapped.
Rather more interesting in terms of crew deployment was that neither of them had yet been re-certified for any other types, so possibly BA will start to roll that through only once the final retirements start to take effect.
Rather more interesting in terms of crew deployment was that neither of them had yet been re-certified for any other types, so possibly BA will start to roll that through only once the final retirements start to take effect.
Sep 23, 2018, 8:59 am
#85
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 500
I've had three AMS flights in the past few weeks, the most recent also this morning - including an ex-EU B2B on which the CC insisted we visit the flight deck after. The captain and FO had been flying solely 767s for about 12 years and their belief was that our particular metal had at least another 10 to go, so these may well end up being sold on rather than scrapped.
Rather more interesting in terms of crew deployment was that neither of them had yet been re-certified for any other types, so possibly BA will start to roll that through only once the final retirements start to take effect.
Rather more interesting in terms of crew deployment was that neither of them had yet been re-certified for any other types, so possibly BA will start to roll that through only once the final retirements start to take effect.
Sep 23, 2018, 9:00 am
#86
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,596
I've had three AMS flights in the past few weeks, the most recent also this morning - including an ex-EU B2B on which the CC insisted we visit the flight deck after. The captain and FO had been flying solely 767s for about 12 years and their belief was that our particular metal had at least another 10 to go, so these may well end up being sold on rather than scrapped.
Rather more interesting in terms of crew deployment was that neither of them had yet been re-certified for any other types, so possibly BA will start to roll that through only once the final retirements start to take effect.
Rather more interesting in terms of crew deployment was that neither of them had yet been re-certified for any other types, so possibly BA will start to roll that through only once the final retirements start to take effect.
Sep 23, 2018, 10:38 am
#87
Community Director
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The replacement is likely to be the A320NEO series which provides a much improved cost per passenger km, partly through more fuel efficient engines, partly through higher seat density.
So to clarify: the pilots were only certified to fly 767s. In a few weeks time, they will have to have been through any conversion courses to be any use to BA as active employees.
Sep 23, 2018, 10:45 am
#88
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,020
Yes when the 767s retire all the pilots still on it (this will be a gradual process with lots of BAs 767 already started/converted) will be transferred to another fleet. Possibly 777 or A320 series or whereever BA need pilots. They will go through the conversion and new type rating which will take a couple months I think. (Possibly quicker if they are going to the 777 than the A320) and then they will fly the new fleet. They will remain BA employees throughout unless they choose to retire. (Possible for some of the oldest Captains)
Sep 23, 2018, 10:49 am
#89
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There are all sorts of interesting opportunities for pilots to be useful at an airline like BA without actually flying aircraft. Most pilots are smart people and I wonder if the retirement of their type might even cause some to choose to find a new vocation. Maybe something closely related to flying like training; something operationally focused but a bit more distant like emergency planning; day to day operations control centre; catering, ground services or the like; or something more strategic like revenue management, corporate sales, fleet planning or network planning.
Almost surely most will stay pilots though.