British Airways Says Farewell to its Final 747’s

British Airways’ remaining two Boeing 747 aircraft based at Heathrow taxied for take off for the last time today.

To commemorate the occasion the airline’s two aircraft took to the skies one after the other from runway 27R. Once in the air, G-CIVY circled back over the southerly runway in an emotional farewell to its home before heading to St Athan where the aircraft will be retired.

G-CIVB, painted in the airline’s historic Negus livery and G-CIVY, in its current Chatham Dockyard livery, are going to be retiring in the UK at Kemble and St Athan, respectively. Between the two aircraft they have flown an impressive 104 million miles in their 47 years of service and carried millions of British Airways customers.

British Airways Negus 747 Aircraft Taken: 21st March 2019 Picture by: Stuart Bailey

At 7:47am this morning, hundreds of aviation enthusiasts and customers flooded social media sharing their favourite 747 memories using #BA747farewell.

Alex Cruz, British Airways’ Chairman and CEO said, “Today was an emotional milestone in the retirement of our 747 fleet as it was our last chance to see the Queen of the Skies depart from our home at Heathrow airport. The 747s have played a huge role in our 100-year history, forming the backbone of our fleet for over 50 years. I know I speak for our customers and the many thousands of colleagues who have spent much of their careers alongside them when I say we will miss seeing them grace our skies.

In July, British Airways announced that its remaining 747s had sadly flown their last commercial services as a result of the impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had on the airline and the aviation sector. The fleet is being replaced by quieter more fuel efficient aircraft as part of the airline’s commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

British Airways expects the last 747s (currently positioned in Wales) to leave the fleet by the end of the year.

British Airways 747 G-CIVB

Date it entered service February 15, 1994
Retirement date September 08, 2020
Popular/recent routes Last passenger flight was April 6, 2020 from Miami to Heathrow
Livery Current livery: Negus

Previous livery: Landor and was named ‘City of Litchfield’

Fact and stats

(approx.)

Operated 13,398 flights
Flown for 118,445 hours

Flown 59 million miles

British Airways 747 G-CIVY

Date it entered service September 29, 1998
Retirement date September 08, 2020
Popular/recent routes March 20, 2020 last passenger flight from Chicago to Heathrow

April 5, 2020 last freighter flight from Dallas to Heathrow

Livery Chatham Dockyard
Fact and stats

(approx.)

Operated 11,034 flights

Flown for 90,161 hours

Flown 45 million miles