BA's LGW 737s.
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: N/A
BA's LGW 737s.
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.
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.

Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Here
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
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
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Dole Q
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.
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.

Joined: Dec 2000
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From: on the golf course (Covid permitting)
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.
Pilot of the Airwaves
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Close to the Med
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.
.
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.
.
Last edited by IB4138; 7th March 2004 at 17:16.
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: UK
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.
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.

Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Middlesesx
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.
Pilot of the Airwaves
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Close to the Med
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!
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!
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: London,Bucharest...wherever...
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!
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!

Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Middlesesx
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.

Joined: Oct 2002
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 8,201
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From: London UK
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 ?
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 ?
Pilot of the Airwaves
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Close to the Med
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.
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.



