Adios, Queen of the Sky!
SHJ,
I don't know - I rather enjoyed seeing it disappear up and away into the clouds where it belonged.
I don't know - I rather enjoyed seeing it disappear up and away into the clouds where it belonged.
Final flight for British Airways' last two Heathrow-based Boeing 747 planes
Mixed feelings. As a passenger, I thought BA's (and others') 747-400s were great in business class on the upper deck, but most airlines' 747s were pretty uncomfortable down the back of cattle class.
Mixed feelings. As a passenger, I thought BA's (and others') 747-400s were great in business class on the upper deck, but most airlines' 747s were pretty uncomfortable down the back of cattle class.
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The take-offs from Heathrow were a normal sight. But the landings in Kemble and St Athan would have been something special. I would have thought the BBC would have filmed these.
Incidentally SZE is Semera in Ethiopia - I hope they were prepared for the arrival.
They'll be seriously missed in this household. The upper deck in Club Class was like being in a private jet. My wife - who has flown BA enough to be Gold For Life - always asked for and always got 64K, in the last row meaning you didn't have to cross someone else's legs to get in and out. It was practically a private cabin. She liked that seat so much that she once declined an upgrade to F so she could keep it. (It didn't help that on a previous upgrade to F she got food poisoning, moral, never eat the fish).
There's nothing on the 777 or 787 that can even begin to compare. (Haven't flown their A350s so can't comment on that).
There's nothing on the 777 or 787 that can even begin to compare. (Haven't flown their A350s so can't comment on that).
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Only flew it once, Delhi to Heathrow back in 2004. Horrendous flight but will remember the sound of the RB's when taxiing, sounded like no other aircraft I have been on. So glad I had the chance.
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Only ever flew in 2, in 2014, LHR to SFO and back from MIA a few weeks later and only in economy. I booked my flights specifically to use the 747 as I wanted to tick it off, thinking its days were numbered back then. I enjoyed the flight out, but the cabin was dated, not a shock really, it was one of the oldest cabins I'd seen for a while. My flight back was terrible, delayed due to an engine fault, a broken rear toilet and then turbulence all the way over the Atlantic. Still, nice memories of seeing them at LHR during my time working there and always being able to spot a BA 747 a mile off whenever I was in some far flung corner of the world.
They'll be missed for sure and it's a shame they didn't get a proper goodbye.
They'll be missed for sure and it's a shame they didn't get a proper goodbye.
Gnome de PPRuNe
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It was Arena's G-TVHD and appears to have been there to film the flypast as it held south of the airport for quite some time.
Sadly, watched it land on FR24 as couldn't get to Kemble this time but my ATC friend was on site to witness the arrival and report back.
Did quite a few trips on the 74 both East and West as pax including up front for most of one very memorable LHR - HK flight. Made my excuses early on to leave when I felt it was time to go (didn't want to outstay my welcome) - only to discover I was being subjected to a lock-in by the Crew! And was then forced to select off the 1st Class menu!!! Didn't protest tho!!! Still most grateful to that particular crew, including the cabin crew, for their amazing hospitality and kindness - a very memorable flight and some amazing sights both during the night and as dawn arrived! Sadly, terrorism has a lot to answer for. Other 74 memories? Years on and I just failed the Sim ride for a job on the 74 (was actually asked to redo it as they felt I was that close) but never did get to fly one for real.
Sad to see them go .... but then I'm in the situation where I'm now well past the 50% point of my life so less ahead than behind so I'd say that! They certainly were a game-changer tho!!! Cheers, H 'n' H
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A couple of additional bits
Video clip here from * See post 166 for update
And on BA's page, a nice teaser with that soundtrack we all may remember. Nicely done.
The same teaser was posted on their Facebook page with a link to their full video.
Video clip here from * See post 166 for update
And on BA's page, a nice teaser with that soundtrack we all may remember. Nicely done.
The same teaser was posted on their Facebook page with a link to their full video.
Last edited by Seat4A; 9th Oct 2020 at 00:12.
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Maybe the dismantlers will save a BA example or part of one for display? Not an easy task in our UK climate to ‘preserve’ a complete example but the forward section of a B707 with East Fortune springs to mind and could be replicated with a B747.
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Ttfn
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Well, anyhow the crews were not tempted to make a nice close formation fly past, I'm sure it must have crossed their minds!.... But as an ex B744 driver, indeed a sad day. I did make lots of pics though during my 17 Years commanding it, but never enough I realize.
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