BA to retire entire B747 fleet
Jun 19, 2020, 11:51 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,440
https://twitter.com/tim_the_pilot/st...112380416?s=21
seems like the 747s are not coming back as the 600 training and recency for the 747 pilots was formally suspended
seems like the 747s are not coming back as the 600 training and recency for the 747 pilots was formally suspended
Jun 19, 2020, 1:12 pm
#3
Join Date: Nov 2012
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BA 747 to be retired sooner than planned
From a BA B747 pilot:
Edit: could a Mod please add “sooner” on the title ? My Safari bugged and post while typing
Farewell !
This could mark the beginning of the final chapter of the B747 at BA, as today all training & recency for the 600 or so pilots was formally suspended.
I feel very lucky to have flown both the B747 Classic in the right hand seat & B747-400 as a skipper.
1971-2020 ?
This could mark the beginning of the final chapter of the B747 at BA, as today all training & recency for the 600 or so pilots was formally suspended.
I feel very lucky to have flown both the B747 Classic in the right hand seat & B747-400 as a skipper.
1971-2020 ?
Jun 19, 2020, 1:17 pm
#4
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges and Environmentally Friendly Travel
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 22,212
La la la, I can’t hear you. 
MMB still shows 62A and 64K for future bookings so stay in this happy frame of mind.
MMB still shows 62A and 64K for future bookings so stay in this happy frame of mind.
Jun 19, 2020, 1:28 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: BA Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 325
So how long would it be before crew loose the currency on their license? It would be scandalous if we didn’t see a special UK tour of the 747 before it is finally retired, I for one would be booking up for a last hurl on the queen of the sky’s.
Jun 19, 2020, 1:38 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,440
I really didn’t think BA would ditch all 28 right away. I assumed some would stick around till 2021.
As for a final flight, BA would be silly not to do something. It could bring in some nice profit and create some good old nostalgia and PR.
As for a final flight, BA would be silly not to do something. It could bring in some nice profit and create some good old nostalgia and PR.
Jun 19, 2020, 1:39 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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BA would not phase out all of their 28 Boeing 747-400 aircraft.
I think that these birds would rejoin the fleet back at some point but they might be parked for a long period until demand recovers.
I think that these birds would rejoin the fleet back at some point but they might be parked for a long period until demand recovers.
Jun 19, 2020, 1:42 pm
#9
Join Date: Jun 2009
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Careful, you will have Simon "travelling the world so you don't have to" Calder ranting about how unnecessary domestic flights are.
Jun 19, 2020, 1:48 pm
#10
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Any income from a farewell flight would likely not cover the cost to bring the 747 back into service and operate the flight. Good PR amongst the aviation community would have to be weighed up with negative PR amongst the sustainability community.
Jun 19, 2020, 1:49 pm
#11
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 7,237
They could... 28 airframes over a fleet of 130 or so longhaulers. If the market will take 3 years to recover, and they expect to lay off 30% of the workforce, 28 planes is a similar reduction. I wouldn't discount A380s too. A 380 SFO told me they're not planning to fly in a significant way until september.
Jun 19, 2020, 1:51 pm
#12
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Given demand is not likely to fully recover for 2-3 years and all 747s were planned for retirement by the end of 2024 in any case, I fear the 747s may never return. I hope I'm wrong.
Jun 19, 2020, 2:26 pm
#14
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Near the Beach.
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