British Airways says goodbye to its Boeing 747

the airínea British Airways announcementó that says goodbye to its fleet of Boeing 747, known with affectionñThe how «The Queen of the Skies». Britrish press photo.

Afterés of almost five dédowntime and millions of miles traveled around the world, It is proposed that Aerol's remaining fleetínea, made of 31 Boeing 747-400, withdraw with immediate effect as a result of the devastating impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on the airlineíline and the aviation sectorón, that is not foreseené to recover to the levels of 2019 by the any less 4 añm axisás.

Just a year agoñO, British Airways pintó with love four of your Boeing airplanes 747 in heritage colors to commemorate the company's centenaryñía. the grandfatherón BOAC appearedó as a guest alongside the Red Arrows squadron to the delight of spectators at the Royal International Air Tattoo, but unfortunately it will soon headá towards their final resting place along with other 30 aircraft.

British Airways slowly retired the planeón that I consumeíto more fuel as it reached the end of its life úuseful to help meet the company's commitmentñíto reductionón emissions and greater economic efficiencyómica.

the airínea has invested heavily in new and modern long-haul aircraft, including six Airbus A350s and 32 Boeing 787, which are about a 25 percent más more fuel efficient than Boeing 747.

Alex Cruz, Chairman and CEO of British Airways, said: «It's not like thatí how do you wantíwe love waitingáWe were going to have to say goodbye to our incredibleíble fleet of 747 planes. It's a decisionóheartbreaking. Many people, including thousands of our past colleagues ​​and presents, countless hours have been spent on these wonderful aircraft, have been at the center of so many memories, including my first long-haul flight. will always haveán a special place in our hearts at British Airways.

History

BOAC operó its first service with Boeing 747 from London to New York 14 april 1971 and, in july 1989, the first 747-400 de British Airways, he raised himselfó to the heavens.

The observers and spotters of planes lining the perimeter fences of Heathrow watched cómo el magnífico 747-400 took offítypically a 180 mph and reached sky cruising speeds of up to 565 mph.

During the próxima déeach, the airínea receivedó 56 airplanesás, and his avióIn the end it was deliveredó in april 1989. At that moment, it was the grandfatherón comercial más biggest in the world, and followed himó being until the Airbus A380 arrivedó for the first time to heaven in 2007.

In a moment, British Airways operó 57 Boeing 747-400 planes. the grandfatherón original presented 27 first class seats and 292 economy classómica. Initially, top cover, widely described as the bubble, containíof a hallón, with armchairs. He was known as the «club in the sky» and the avión también was hostón of the world's first flat-bed seat that British Airways introduced before anyone else in 1999.

the grandfatheróToday it can accommodate up to 345 customers in four classes: Club World (Business), World Traveler Plus (Premium Economy) y World Traveler (Economy). British Airways recently renewedó the interiors of several of its planes 747 which are expected to remain in service for several toños.

Aerosol jumbo jetsínea are currently grounded in several locations in the UK and are now only expected to reach heights of 35,000 feet as they make their final journeys.

Facts and statusístatic

• Boeing has made planes 747 durante más de 50 años.
• BOAC madeó his first flight with Boeing 747 the 14 april 1971.
• British Airways recibió su primer Boeing 747-400 in july 1989 and the úlast in April 1999.
• in its heyday, the airínea teníto a fleet of 57 Boeing 747-400.
• British Airways is currently the world's largest aircraft operator 747-400.
• The average age of the British Airways fleet is 23 años.
• The 747-400 has winglets of 6 feet tall at the tips of its wings to improve efficiency.
• Have 16 main wheels and two front wheels on the naríz.
• the wings of a 747-400 span 213 feet and are large enough to accommodate 50 parked cars.
• The height of the tail 19.5 meters is equivalent to a six-story building.
• the boeing 747-400 have 70 meters long.