BA's LGW 737s.

[Wannabe Flyboy]

I'm doing a day trip to AMS this year and off with BA from LGW... on the 737s assuming the fleet doesn't change by then (they're thinking of moving the A319s there aren't they?)

Anyway - I know these aircraft are getting on a bit but what sort of condition are they like inside? Thinking seat quality, are the pockets still in one piece etc..

And does anyone know what version of the 737 (-300, -400, -500?) I'll be on... going on BA8113 and 8120.:)

[BAe 146-100]

Wannabe Flyboy,

BA8113 and BA8120 are both scheduled to be operated by the 735. I can't tell you what condition BA 737's, as I have never flown on the 737 with them, only the A319 and 747.

Enjoy your flights!

BAe 146-100

[IB4138]

About one month ago, "airliners" forum had a thread about the tatty state of the cabins on the Gatwick based BA 737s.
The 100 series A320s at Heathrow are no better.

[WEBLUEIT]

Sorry IB - BA have never had 737-100's. The 200's were retired years ago. What's left are the 400's & 500's which are in fairly good shape from a Cabin point. yes there is the odd seat that will automatically recline but that should not be taken as an excuse that all 737 aircraft are in a bad way. BA take pride in looking after the interiors and defects are dealt with quickly.

As for the 320's the ones I have flown on have always been in pristine condition. The Old BCal ones are due to be retired soon I believe.

[TopBunk]

There are no plans to retire the old BCal A320-100 series aircraft that I am aware of (G-BUSB, C, D, E and F), nor will there be any A319/320 aircraft at LGW in 2004. BA are looking at transferring some A319 aircraft to LGW at some point but the plans are not finalised. The 737's leave LHR finally, again, on 26th March, new A321's start arriving in August (10 due over the winter), which I guess may leave a few spare to transfer to LGW in 2005. Problem likely to be inefficiencies of crewing in having just a few aircraft.

[UFGBOY]

WEBLUEIT - IB referred to A320 100's - not 737 100

Looking on Ba's own website, the entire Manchester scehdule from Winter is on A319!!

[IB4138]

WEBLUEIT..

Please watch my lips in future!
I also speak from personal experience of BA's 737s and A320-100s
BUSB was extremely tatty the last time I was on board.

.

[Angus Meecoat]

Cmon guys the ex Bcal buses are nearly 16 years old, how do you expect them to look.

The 733s belonged to DanAir and they were not new when they got them, so they must be even older than the Bcal buses. The 734s must be around that also

If there are a few seats a bit tatty so what, ever been on an FR 732 or 738 lately, now thats what you call tatty.

[Globaliser]

Perfectly good question and answers - but it did occur to me that there wouldn't be time to notice anything on a flight as short as LGW-AMS!

[HZ123]

Indeed they are tatty but so to are most other companies a/c in this day and age. We all wanted to pay coach prices to fly and that is one of the results. That said the leather interior looks comfortable against other companies a/c with fabric seats.

[IB4138]

HZ123

Torn blue leather does nothing to make a BA seat frame look attractive. Nor does a head rest that is only fixed on with one screw.
On the other hand torn blue leather could look attractive if presented on a different frame!
:D

[Boss Raptor]

Most airlines budget for complete cabin/galley/equipment refurb at D Check/approx 6-7 years

However common sense/practicality says that sidewalls/seats/seat covers etc. wont last this long and have to be addressed every 18 months or so...

You remove the sidewalls every 18 months on HMV and it is easy/cheap to respray them and 'clearseal' them at this time making them look brand new...same with seats/seat covers...however unfortunately most airlines are dropping this day to day housekeeping from their budgets...hence tatty planes :}

Few if any of the leased ex Danair B737-3/400's are still with BA most are from a variety of Lessors and have been delivered long since those from Danair departed

PS. I spend my days making 20 year old TU154's and IL86's look 'nice' and it's amazing what a bit of TLC after every flight can do to maintain the cosmetic appearance of an interior and at virtually no cost...BA or any of the majors has no excuse! :hmm:

[Wannabe Flyboy]

Nor does a head rest that is only fixed on with one screw.

I'll give you that... I've yet to go on a BA aircraft with a headrest that stays up!

[reverserunlocked]

I've always found BA aircraft to be fairly tidy inside. The worst I've been on in recent months was an Alitalia MD80 - it was very grubby inside and out!

[Sunshine Express]

So, Boss Raptor, you spend your days cleaning 20 year old aeroplanes!

Funny, your profile says "airline director"

"virtually no cost" so minimum wage too! :D

[HZ123]

Ex Danair are only just leaving with a couple still in service and two white tails on the east Base at LHR. This due to large amounts of work required by the lessor before acceptance. BR you are correct though quality cabin standards are non existent and the interiors are left to for far to long.

[A340_rulez]

Flew on a BA 733 and 734 out of Gatwick last year and in my opinion they seemed in good condition. Nice leather seats, cabin was ok with pictures of BA aircraft.
Considering the age, looked in good nic to me !

[HZ123]

I rest my case with thanks to A340. I understand that Globespan who will commence its services with two ex-DBA a/c were very pleased with the BA leather seating and condition of the cabin.

[WHBM]

Probably showing my age here but I remember noticing that the BA One Elevens in their final fling (early 1990s) out of Birmingham and Manchester were astoundingly clean, tidy and well presented inside, even though they had been in service for some 25 years. European (who bought many of them) got some well-treated bargains.

In contrast the last Tridents (c'mon, I did say I was showing my age) were incredibly dog-eared inside. A difference between MAN and LHR maintenance, maybe ?

[IB4138]

Could be they knew that the Tridents were headed for the Fire Service, as they had no resale value, whilst the 1-11 were still able to find a new owner who didn't just want to set them on fire!
There is a great difference between the treatment of owned aircraft and leased equipment, especially when a lease is about to end. If an owned asset has no further value, you do not spend money on it (more than you have to), to keep it in service for the remainder of it's life.
I think if you check out the tatty aircraft, you will either find they are owned or are not due to be handed back to their owner for some time.
I do the same with my vehicle fleet.

[BOAC]

Just a small correction to HZ123 and Angus - none of the BA LGW a/c are ex DanAir - the 300's came from Turkey, I think, and the last DA 400 left service about 8 weeks ago.

All 737's are BA sourced entirely, mostly 436 BA modded with dual-tiller/ACARS or the 3's and some 500's from various sources - and various ages.