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Post by YY13VKP on Oct 3, 2020 10:53:27 GMT
Have heard rumours that weather permitting, the final 2 747's - IVB & IVY will have simultaneous departures at 0800L from both runways on Thursday 8th Oct. With one then circling back for a fly past. If weather isn't favourable, it may slip back to the 9th. Shame it’s not happening at the weekend when I’m off work  |
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Post by richard on Oct 3, 2020 19:29:53 GMT
The Virus that killed the Jumbo Jet documentary on the BBC News Channel about the 747s now if anyone is interested.
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Post by greenboy on Oct 8, 2020 7:34:05 GMT
Have heard rumours that weather permitting, the final 2 747's - IVB & IVY will have simultaneous departures at 0800L from both runways on Thursday 8th Oct. With one then circling back for a fly past. If weather isn't favourable, it may slip back to the 9th. Coverage on BBC1 now. The weather scuppered a simultaneous departure. |
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Post by capitalomnibus on Oct 8, 2020 7:42:00 GMT
Have heard rumours that weather permitting, the final 2 747's - IVB & IVY will have simultaneous departures at 0800L from both runways on Thursday 8th Oct. With one then circling back for a fly past. If weather isn't favourable, it may slip back to the 9th. Coverage on BBC1 now. thanks, watching  |
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Post by capitalomnibus on Oct 8, 2020 8:45:09 GMT
Bit late on this one! India Victor Delta made the one way trip to Castellon in Spain to be broken up for spares earlier! A lot of my colleagues are quite sad to see them go and a lot of people I know at BA are too and would rather see them stay. For me, the sight of a 744 on finals is up with with watching Concorde landing, if not better! Only had 2 flights onboard a 747, both BA: G-BNLL LHR>LAX & G-CIVL LAS>LHR, whilst they may of tired cabin's, they were some of the most comfortable flights I've had. Whilst working inside the Airport, the first 747 I worked with was G-CIVA www.flickr.com/photos/62959794@N06/49826786671/in/dateposted-public/And the last, now most likely to be G-CIVO - Unusually deboarding in T5A - right at the start of the Coronavirus pandemic! www.flickr.com/photos/62959794@N06/50126886393/in/dateposted-public/As for liveries, the Landor wins hands down in my opinion. Ironically, G-BNLY was scheduled to be the last BA 744 in service. www.flickr.com/photos/62959794@N06/49698433063/in/dateposted-public/Personally I'd rather of seen the A380's depart early, with the 744's hanging on until 2024, as at the rate other Airlines are ditching their 380 I can't see them hanging on after 2024 either! I was likening the 747 to Concorde myself, it's a huge shame they're not getting a proper send off but I imagine every penny counts now. I would be surprised to see the A380s stay much longer than 2024 by this point, there has to be very few destinations to support such a crowd. I blame Willie Walsh for the downfall of BA and was no surprise at what would happen with the 747 whilst he is still there. The way BA ha gone over the years I would give them a 2 out of 10, I do not see them much more than just a budget airline +. Before it was "the" airline to go on. Now they are well behind the lines of Emirates, Qatar etc. I last rode on a 747 in 2015 and rode on near 30 over the years, first flight on one in 1982. My first 747-400 version flight was in 1990. The A380 just doesn't have the same nostalgia imo.
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Post by capitalomnibus on Oct 8, 2020 8:49:11 GMT
Bit late on this one! India Victor Delta made the one way trip to Castellon in Spain to be broken up for spares earlier! A lot of my colleagues are quite sad to see them go and a lot of people I know at BA are too and would rather see them stay. For me, the sight of a 744 on finals is up with with watching Concorde landing, if not better! Only had 2 flights onboard a 747, both BA: G-BNLL LHR>LAX & G-CIVL LAS>LHR, whilst they may of tired cabin's, they were some of the most comfortable flights I've had. Whilst working inside the Airport, the first 747 I worked with was G-CIVA www.flickr.com/photos/62959794@N06/49826786671/in/dateposted-public/And the last, now most likely to be G-CIVO - Unusually deboarding in T5A - right at the start of the Coronavirus pandemic! www.flickr.com/photos/62959794@N06/50126886393/in/dateposted-public/As for liveries, the Landor wins hands down in my opinion. Ironically, G-BNLY was scheduled to be the last BA 744 in service. www.flickr.com/photos/62959794@N06/49698433063/in/dateposted-public/Personally I'd rather of seen the A380's depart early, with the 744's hanging on until 2024, as at the rate other Airlines are ditching their 380 I can't see them hanging on after 2024 either! I certainly can understand why people feel the 747 holds a greater significance than Concorde. While concorde no doubt was an amazing piece of engineering it can't be compared to a plane that literally transformed Air Travel travel. As for the A380 it feels such a shame that this aircraft never really worked out as for comfort it's probably one of the best out there. While covid has obviously not helped matters I don't think it can be blamed for the downfall of the A380 (not saying you did). Maybe if the A380 entered service when the 747 we would be talking about both in the same light but unfortunately it came to late. It's to expensive to operate and when it does it only makes money when full. Another reason it failed was better etops ratings which meant twin engine jets could fly further than ever both which in turn meant more airlines could start using the point to point model to further destinations. On the brighter side at least BA are keeping theirs for now I believe they return in October on the Hong Kong route. The 747 would hold greater significance to people as it was easier for the general public to travel on. The A380 is a great plane, never been on one yet, but I fell it was way too late to make any significance. It should have came out in the 1990's imo
One downside about the 747 no longer there is the 777 which is now widely used as its replacement isn't as fast, so it could add 30 mins to an hour over the 747's times, which is a step back imo.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2020 9:11:27 GMT
I was likening the 747 to Concorde myself, it's a huge shame they're not getting a proper send off but I imagine every penny counts now. I would be surprised to see the A380s stay much longer than 2024 by this point, there has to be very few destinations to support such a crowd. I blame Willie Walsh for the downfall of BA and was no surprise at what would happen with the 747 whilst he is still there. The way BA ha gone over the years I would give them a 2 out of 10, I do not see them much more than just a budget airline +. Before it was "the" airline to go on. Now they are well behind the lines of Emirates, Qatar etc. I last rode on a 747 in 2015 and rode on near 30 over the years, first flight on one in 1982. My first 747-400 version flight was in 1990. The A380 just doesn't have the same nostalgia imo.
BA is excellent for short-haul and I’ve have always used them for frequent work trips to Europe. Their short-haul is fantastic value as it includes 2 cabin bags and a suitcase of 20kg. Plus they alert you well in advance if you have to place it in the hold. Their long-haul though is severely lacking when compared to other major airlines and I have friends who have used them experience nothing but problems with leg room or meals or cabin crew. Personally I wouldn’t use BA for long-haul because there are better airlines out there offering a better experience for the same price. |
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Post by george on Oct 8, 2020 9:13:20 GMT
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Post by Eastlondoner62 on Oct 8, 2020 9:27:23 GMT
Thank you for sharing these wonderful snaps, Will certainly never be the same again but they will always be remembered for sure. For the memories, for the views, for being the ultimate queen of the skies. |
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Post by george on Oct 8, 2020 10:25:11 GMT
Thank you for sharing these wonderful snaps, Will certainly never be the same again but they will always be remembered for sure. For the memories, for the views, for being the ultimate queen of the skies. No problem an early start but certainly worth it 😁. Couldn't agree more with everything you have said. Going back on the 285 and seeing none by the hangar was pretty strange feeling. |
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Post by richard on Oct 8, 2020 12:29:41 GMT
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Post by M1199 on Oct 8, 2020 18:59:22 GMT
So that's that then, the end of an era! Shame the weather scuppered the dual departures. We quite nearly could of delayed the event, was instructed by BA to leave everything onboard as they were leaving straight from base, there was then some mis-communication overnight and we were told to strip everything off! I had to sent a Highlift over to the base at 05:30 this morning, engage with both Aircraft and collect everything. When we got there they were refused access by security as they had searched both Aircraft, we eventually were off the Aircraft's by 07:00. Myself and a few other Managers/Snr Management positioned ourselves in our vehicle park, adjacent to the Southern Runway, we were quite in finding out that the dual takeoff wasn't happening, so we headed off towards the Northern Runway, the Snr Management thought they'd get a better view from the T5C Arrivals concourse, just as they went inside, both took off in quick succession and they missed both!  I stayed out and managed to get a couple of shots: G-CIVB flic.kr/p/2jQTvBZG-CIVY flic.kr/p/2jQTvWXThen headed back to get a video of the IVY flypast. Was nice to see all the ground movements stop as she past overhead for the final time. flic.kr/p/2jQVeAD |
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Post by YY13VKP on Oct 8, 2020 23:30:34 GMT
So that's that then, the end of an era! Shame the weather scuppered the dual departures. We quite nearly could of delayed the event, was instructed by BA to leave everything onboard as they were leaving straight from base, there was then some mis-communication overnight and we were told to strip everything off! I had to sent a Highlift over to the base at 05:30 this morning, engage with both Aircraft and collect everything. When we got there they were refused access by security as they had searched both Aircraft, we eventually were off the Aircraft's by 07:00. Myself and a few other Managers/Snr Management positioned ourselves in our vehicle park, adjacent to the Southern Runway, we were quite in finding out that the dual takeoff wasn't happening, so we headed off towards the Northern Runway, the Snr Management thought they'd get a better view from the T5C Arrivals concourse, just as they went inside, both took off in quick succession and they missed both! I stayed out and managed to get a couple of shots: G-CIVB flic.kr/p/2jQTvBZG-CIVY flic.kr/p/2jQTvWXThen headed back to get a video of the IVY flypast. Was nice to see all the ground movements stop as she past overhead for the final time. flic.kr/p/2jQVeADDespite the weather, it was brilliant (and sad) to witness this morning. If the weather was a bit clearer I would've been able to see CIVY from my house during it's flypast over London. Such a shame the 747's had to go before their time, even if it was only 3 or 4 years they had left. During my visits to Heathrow last year I didn't take too many photos of them, only because at the time I thought they would still be around for some time to come...sadly I was very much mistaken. |
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Post by george on Oct 23, 2020 17:13:11 GMT
Despite the last BA 747s departing Heathrow there's still quite a few things to mention 😁
British Airways.
G-CIVW. Departed Cardiff Airport yesterday and went to her new home at Dunsfold, the good news here is that this aircraft won't be scrapped but instead used for filming and a training facility.
Final landing 👇
G-BYGC (BOAC Livery) which is still at Cardiff is expected to be saved although final confirmation on this is not yet confirmed.
Virgin Atlantic.
G-VROS which is still at Heathrow is expected to leave there on the 28/10/20 at 12:00PM LHR>LAX. This will be the last ever 747-400 based out of Heathrow. It will then have a new life as a cargo aircraft with Atlas Air.
If you are interested please give @mzulqarnainbut1 a follow on twitter he is a reliable source. On there you will see a tweet about a possible 747-400 coming into Heathrow soon 🤔. At the time of writing this post there's currently only 29 747-400 in operation and looking on Flightradar 24 none of them are flying right now so for one to land at Heathrow is pretty big.
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Post by george on Nov 18, 2020 16:42:12 GMT
Hope everyone is doing ok during these latest restrictions. Just a short while ago Virgin Atlantic G-VGAL landed at Heathrow from its storage facility in Spain, being close to the flight path I was hoping to take a photo but it was too cloudy and for obvious reasons couldn't travel up to Heathrow.
So here is the plans for the remaining Virgin Atlantic 747s.
G-VGAL LHR>Pinal Airpark 24/11/2020
G-VLIP CQM>LHR 01/12/2020 and then LHR>Pinal Airpark 12/12/2020
G-VROY LHR>Pinal Airpark 16/12/2021
G-VXLG MAN>LHR sometime in 2021.
While these planes will no longer be seeing in the Virgin Atlantic livery the good news is that they won't be going for scrap as Atlas Air have brought all of them to be used as freights. EDIT. Just found out only two will remain flying.
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I stayed out and managed to get a couple of shots: