British Airways has been reduced to operating a skeleton service during the current pandemic, unaided by the UK Government’s 14-day quarantine. However, while the airline’s flying schedule is limited, its delivery schedule has been relatively busy this week. The airline has taken delivery of not one, but two Boeing 787-10 aircraft.
Before the current situation, British Airways was already in the midst of a significant fleet overhaul. The airline’s iconic Boeing 747s were due to be retired over the next few years, while the airline’s final Boeing 767 was retired in 2018. In their places, British airways is currently receiving its Airbus A350 and Boeing 787-10 orders. These are due to be joined by the Boeing 777X at some point in the coming years.
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Two in one week
It was a relief to see British Airways’ first Boeing 787-10 finally be delivered on Sunday. The delivery came after around half a year of delays, having been initially scheduled for January.
Some may be familiar with the old saying, “you wait ages for a bus, and then two come along at once.” Well, that appears to have been the case for British airways. Except, instead of (air)busses, British Airways has taken delivery of two Boeing 787-10s in the space of four days.
The airline’s second 787-10 is registered as G-ZBLB. According to the Civil Aviation Authority, the aircraft was registered in the United Kingdom on Monday, June 29th. Following its registration, British Airways needed to ferry its new aircraft to its London Heathrow base.
G-ZBLB departed Charelston at 22:43 yesterday. The aircraft had been scheduled to depart at 20:15. However, with no passengers or cargo on board, a delay wasn’t the end of the world. Having flown across the Atlantic for seven hours and 17 minutes, the brand new aircraft touched down at its new home at precisely 11:00 this morning.
Two of 12
British Airways has now taken delivery of two of 12 Boeing 787-10 aircraft ordered. Once the remaining aircraft have been delivered, British Airways will operate 42 Boeing 787 aircraft. 12 787-8s, 18 787-9s, and 12 787-10s.
However, with the delivery of its first Boeing 787-10, British Airways also joined an exclusive club. The airline is one of only three to operate all three variants from the 787 family. The other two airlines are United Airlines and All Nippon Airways.
The British flag carrier also has several other long haul aircraft on order due to be delivered over the coming years. Alongside its 12 787-10 order, the airline has also received six out of 18 Airbus A350s that it has ordered.
Finally, the airline is also sitting on orders for up to 42 Boeing 777X aircraft. The aircraft is intended primarily to replace the Boeing 747s being retired. This retirement is a process that could be speeded up by the current crisis.
Are you looking forward to flying on British Airways’ new Boeing 787-10s? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
