For many aircraft, their final flight goes unnoticed. However, This wasn’t the case for British Airways’ Boeing 747 retrojet in its former Landor livery. On Saturday, the aircraft flew from Dunsfold Aerodrome.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, airlines have been retiring unwanted aircraft at an accelerated pace. This hasn’t been more true than for the Boeing 747, otherwise known as the Jumbo Jet or Queen of the Skies. In an age where efficiency is king when it comes to fuel burn, the aircraft’s design can no longer hold its own against younger twin-jets, prompting Boeing to end the project formally.
One last flight for Landor
This weekend, G-BNLY, the Landor liveried Boeing 747-400 belonging to British Airways, undertook its final flight. The aircraft had been in storage at the airline’s Cardiff Heavy Maintenance facility, where it flew from Bournemouth in June.
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The aircraft took off from Cardiff Airport (CWL) at 13:46 on Saturday. After departure, the aircraft climbed over the Bristol Channel, reaching a maximum height of 11,000 feet. The aircraft flew west over Bristol and the North Wessex Downs before descending in the direction of Dunsfold.
Having descended to 2,000 feet, the aircraft flew a loop around the airfield before touching down for the final time at around 14:22. The final flight thus lasted just over half an hour.
A new Bond film set?
Landor becomes the third British Airways Boeing 747 to end up in Dunsfold. For many years now, the airfield has been home to a former Boeing 747-200 of the British Flag carrier. This aircraft is well known for being in Top Gear’s background, in addition to a James Bond film, a Westlife music video, and even a home insurance advert featuring CGI meerkats.
This Boeing 747-200 was joined by a British Airways Boeing 747-400 in October. G-CIVW was flown out to the airfield, where it will be used as a film set and exhibition. The aircraft is the only 747 to be saved in the airline’s current Chatham Dockyard livery. Now, two has become three with the addition of Landor.
Every 747 livery saved
British Airways has now saved a Boeing 747 in every significant livery that it has flown the 747 in. This was made possible after the airline repainted three jumbo jets in its old colors last year to celebrate 100 years of the airline.
The liveries are now to be found at the following locations:
- BOAC – G-BYGC – St Athan
- Negus – G-CIVB – Cotswold Airport
- Landor – G-BNLY – Dunsfold Aerodrome
- Chatham Dockyard – G-CIVW – Dunsfold Aerodrome
G-BYGC in the BOAC livery remains at Cardiff for the time being, meaning that those wishing to see one last 747 flight still have time.
Did you get to fly on a Landor liveried Boeing 747? Let us know your experience in the comments!