![\"British](\"https:\/\/assets.newatlas.com\/dims4\/default\/f59759c\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1280x853+0+0\/resize\/1200x800!\/quality\/90\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F30%2F1c%2F23b0b3dc4001a705c9fbef9fc501%2Fbritishairways-216861462933996.jpg\")
<\/div>\nAt the best of times, the Boeing 747 is a costly plane to operate and maintain. When a pandemic causes passenger numbers to plummet, however, it can become unsustainable. It was with this in mind that British Airways today announced that it’s retiring its entire 747 fleet.<\/p>\n
Given that Boeing had previously stated it would be discontinuing the 747<\/a>, airlines utilizing the aircraft were already planning on phasing it out over a period of several years. According to British Airways, though, due to the “devastating impact” that COVID-19-related travel restrictions have had on the airline industry, the company has now gone ahead and retired its remaining fleet of 31 747-400 aircraft.<\/p>\n Contributing to that decision is the fact that according to some estimates, passenger numbers aren’t likely to return to 2019 levels until 2023\/24.<\/p>\n The first British Airways (then BOAC) 747 jumbo jet entered use in 1971, with the first 747-400 model taking to the skies in 1989 – at one point, the airline operated 57 of the aircraft. It took delivery of its final one in 1999. More recently, though, the company began focusing on more fuel-efficient alternatives such as the Boeing 787<\/a> and Airbus A350<\/a>. That said, the retirement of the 747 was never intended to take place so soon – or so abruptly.<\/p>\n “This is not how we wanted or expected to have to say goodbye to our incredible fleet of 747 aircraft,” says British Airways chairman and CEO, Alex Cruz. “It is a heart-breaking decision to have to make. So many people, including many thousands of our colleagues past and present, have spent countless hours on and with these wonderful planes.”<\/p>\n The airline’s fleet of the jumbo jets is now grounded at various locations in the UK.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Tags:<\/b> Ben Coxworth<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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Ben Coxworth<\/p>\n
<\/a>, Wire<\/a>, United States<\/a>, English<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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British Airways’ current fleet of 747-400s consists of 31 aircraft Nick Morrish\/British Airways At the best of times, the Boeing 747 is a costly plane to operate and maintain. When a pandemic causes passenger numbers to plummet, however, it can become unsustainable. It was with this in mind that British Airways today announced that it’s … Continue reading British Airways retires its entire fleet of 747s, effective immediately<\/span><\/a> Continue Reading