History was made today as British Airways said farewell to the Queen of the Skies, the Boeing 747. For the past 50 years, the carrier’s fleet of jumbo jets has been a regular sight at London’s Heathrow Airport, flying passengers around the world. While already due to be retired by 2024, the current pandemic proved to be the final nail in the coffin for the type.
Double Heathrow departure canceled
The airline had planned a very special event to mark the farewell. This would’ve seen the two Boeing 747s departing side by side from the airport’s parallel runways. However, it seemed as though the weather just wouldn’t play ball this morning. As a result, the planned side by side departure was sadly canceled. Both aircraft departed from Runway 27R, with G-CIVB leading the way, followed by G-CIVY. The aircraft departed with the flight numbers BA747 and BA400, reflecting the aircraft type, Boeing 747-400.
A straight-out Kemble departure
G-CIVB is a special aircraft for British Airways. As part of the airline’s 100th-anniversary celebrations last year, it was repainted into a special retro livery. The Negus livery was worn by British Airways aircraft after BOAC merged with BEA in 1974.
Now that G-CIVB has departed Heathrow for the final time, it will fly to Kemble in Gloucestershire. While most 747s flying to Kemble are being scrapped, it is believed that plans to preserve this aircraft are being examined. The departure of this Boeing 747 was most dependant on weather as Cotswold Airport relies on a visual approach. G-CIVB departed with the flight number BA400.
One last goodbye before St Athan
While G-CIVB departed straight out from London Heathrow, G-CIVY wasn’t quite ready to say goodbye just yet. Following her departure, she will circle back around to London Heathrow. The aircraft will then complete a low pass of the airport above Runway 27L before flying off into the skies.
G-CIVY will fly to St Athan in Wales, where she will sadly be scrapped. However, she won’t be alone as many other British Airways planes including the airline’s last original 777s have also flown to the facility to be disposed of. G-CIVY departed with the flight number BA747.
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