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BA bids farewell to ‘Queen of the Skies’ as jumbos leave Heathrow for final time
The curtain has fallen on British Airways’ 747 Heathrow operation as the fleet’s two remaining aircraft took off from the airport for the final time this morning.
The end of the 747s was accelerated due to Covid, with BA describing it as a ‘difficult day’.
The two aircraft departed Heathrow around 8.30am, one bound for an airfield in South Wales and another in Gloucestershire.
BA had initially intended to retire the ‘Queen of the Skies’ in 2024 but the onset of the pandemic forced a re-think with the final commercial flight taking place earlier in the year.
Together, the two final 747s flew 104 million miles after joining the fleet in 1994 and 1998.
At its height, BA had a fleet of 57 747-400s.
BA has invited passengers to share their memories of the aircraft using #BA747farewell.
British Airways Chairman and CEO Alex Cruz said it is a ‘difficult day for everybody at British Airways as the aircraft leaves our home at Heathrow for the very last time’.
"We will pay tribute to them for the incredible part they have played in our 100-year history and to the millions of customers and BA colleagues who have flown on board and taken care of them," he said.
"We hope that Britain will join us in sharing their memories with us on social media at 7:47am and 7.47pm on Thursday using #BA747farewell."
By Steve Jones, Contributing Editor
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