Farewell to the BA Jumbo 747

[Scaf]

Well the last two of these amazing aircraft are off to their final resting places this morning.
I only managed one flight personally but it’s sad to see these iconic planes retired.

 

[2b1ask1]

Seems sad but the twin engine planes seem to have won the day.

 

[Doctor Houx]

Back when I was working full time and travelling around the world constantly, I would always try and book an airline flying 747’s on the route I was taking.

Reason for this was that if you were able to book a seat in the upstairs cabin it was akin to the feel of a private jet. You got about 25 to 30 seats depending on the airline fit out and 2 attendants in most cases. Fast delivery of food and drink and a quick trip to the loo just behind the cockpit with no queue. Quiet and normally no screaming kids, with a notable exception being a trip back from Hong Kong with a noisy toddler all the way.

My most memorable flight in one was a trip back from LAX to LHR in 2005. Adjacent seat taken by Billy Idol and in front of me was Hugh Laurie. I put the seat flat for a kip as it was an overnight and when I woke up a keepsafe pebble my wife gave me for trips had slipped out of my pocket and try as I might I couldn’t find it in the seat.

Anyway, we landed and thought I would have another look once the other passengers had left and the attendant helped. The flight crew came out of the cockpit after a 10 hour shift and the captain asked what was going on then promptly joined in the search totally dismantling the seat cushions! Never found it and it was a BA 747, so perhaps they’ll find it when it’s now broken up for scrap. Sad day.

 

[Felonious Crud]

Reason for this was that if you were able to book a seat in the upstairs cabin it was akin to the feel of a private jet. You got about 25 to 30 seats depending on the airline fit out and 2 attendants in most cases. Fast delivery of food and drink and a quick trip to the loo just behind the cockpit with no queue. Quiet and normally no screaming kids, with a notable exception being a trip back from Hong Kong with a noisy toddler all the way.

62A and K. Better than First for peace and quiet (if not for booze and food). I don't even want to think how long I've spent on BA 747s, but it is indeed a sad day to see them retired.

Mind you, some of that fleet was long-past it's use-by date!

 

[Guy]

thousands of hours on these and agree that the upper deck was the place to be. 787/380 is so much quieter and the air quality is so much better. It makes long haul much easier but will miss the jumbo (if not as much as Concorde - the Stradale of commercial aircraft!)

 

[Wattie]

Back when I was working full time and travelling around the world constantly, I would always try and book an airline flying 747’s on the route I was taking.

Reason for this was that if you were able to book a seat in the upstairs cabin it was akin to the feel of a private jet. You got about 25 to 30 seats depending on the airline fit out and 2 attendants in most cases. Fast delivery of food and drink and a quick trip to the loo just behind the cockpit with no queue. Quiet and normally no screaming kids, with a notable exception being a trip back from Hong Kong with a noisy toddler all the way.

My most memorable flight in one was a trip back from LAX to LHR in 2005. Adjacent seat taken by Billy Idol and in front of me was Hugh Laurie. I put the seat flat for a kip as it was an overnight and when I woke up a keepsafe pebble my wife gave me for trips had slipped out of my pocket and try as I might I couldn’t find it in the seat.

Anyway, we landed and thought I would have another look once the other passengers had left and the attendant helped. The flight crew came out of the cockpit after a 10 hour shift and the captain asked what was going on then promptly joined in the search totally dismantling the seat cushions! Never found it and it was a BA 747, so perhaps they’ll find it when it’s now broken up for scrap. Sad day.

Billy Idol was selling his lucky pebble on eBay last year- fetched £10grand.

 

[Hawk13]

Loved the jumbo was fortunate to have travelled many times on business. Always an event walking up stairs ..... 62k (backwards facing) on BA was my favourite seat.

 

[bigbob]

Back when I was working full time and travelling around the world constantly, I would always try and book an airline flying 747’s on the route I was taking.

Reason for this was that if you were able to book a seat in the upstairs cabin it was akin to the feel of a private jet. You got about 25 to 30 seats depending on the airline fit out and 2 attendants in most cases. Fast delivery of food and drink and a quick trip to the loo just behind the cockpit with no queue. Quiet and normally no screaming kids, with a notable exception being a trip back from Hong Kong with a noisy toddler all the way.

My most memorable flight in one was a trip back from LAX to LHR in 2005. Adjacent seat taken by Billy Idol and in front of me was Hugh Laurie. I put the seat flat for a kip as it was an overnight and when I woke up a keepsafe pebble my wife gave me for trips had slipped out of my pocket and try as I might I couldn’t find it in the seat.

Anyway, we landed and thought I would have another look once the other passengers had left and the attendant helped. The flight crew came out of the cockpit after a 10 hour shift and the captain asked what was going on then promptly joined in the search totally dismantling the seat cushions! Never found it and it was a BA 747, so perhaps they’ll find it when it’s now broken up for scrap. Sad day.

I was hanging on for the Stuart Little joke there.

First time I flew Business was upstairs on a BA 747. I thought that was quite nice but the next day I was in a Lear Jet racing a Citation over Lake Michigan.....I miss the heady days of 80s corporate excess!

 

[bigbob]

thousands of hours on these and agree that the upper deck was the place to be. 787/380 is so much quieter and the air quality is so much better. It makes long haul much easier but will miss the jumbo (if not as much as Concorde - the Stradale of commercial aircraft!)

Indeed Concorde was an amazing thing. Only flew on it twice but loved it especially the take off speed.

 

[Wanderer]

My most memorable flight in one was a trip back from LAX to LHR in 2005. Adjacent seat taken by Billy Idol and in front of me was Hugh Laurie. I put the seat flat for a kip as it was an overnight and when I woke up a keepsafe pebble my wife gave me for trips had slipped out of my pocket and try as I might I couldn’t find it in the seat.

Were Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore on it too?

 

[safrane]

It's a strange sight to see half a dozen of these and other large jets parked up on the perimeter roads of Kemble airfield.

 

[Doctor Houx]

Were Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore on it too?

Ah yes, that explains the film crew for the Wedding Singer film on the flight, but that was in first class not business. Billy slummed it with us after his scene!

 

[Scaf]

Funny thing that with all current crisis BA have missed an opportunity to sell tickets for the final flights - I know it would have been a drop in the ocean, but every little helps.
In contrast Thai Air have turned idle planes into coffee shops and are serving street food - I know which one I would rather have shares in.

Thai Airways Is Selling Patonggo Snacks At Silom To Help Boost Income

After opening their first cabin cafe, Thai Airways is now selling patonggo snacks with a sweet potato dipping sauce at Silom to boost income.

www.google.co.uk

 

[Felonious Crud]

Loved the jumbo was fortunate to have travelled many times on business. Always an event walking up stairs ..... 62k (backwards facing) on BA was my favourite seat.

You're right! I said 57 earlier, my mistake. **** knows where 57 is, but it sounds toilety. There's something about rear-facing seats which I always preferred.

 

[Felonious Crud]

Funny thing that with all current crisis BA have missed an opportunity to sell tickets for the final flights - I know it would have been a drop in the ocean,

Bad choice of words...?

 

[Wattie]

Funny thing that with all current crisis BA have missed an opportunity to sell tickets for the final flights - I know it would have been a drop in the ocean, but every little helps.
In contrast Thai Air have turned idle planes into coffee shops and are serving street food - I know which one I would rather have shares in.

The street food venders.

 

[bigbob]

Funny thing that with all current crisis BA have missed an opportunity to sell tickets for the final flights - I know it would have been a drop in the ocean, but every little helps.
In contrast Thai Air have turned idle planes into coffee shops and are serving street food - I know which one I would rather have shares in.

Have they got 30 or so people down the isles all frying woks over an open flame?

 

[rs48635]

You're right! I said 57 earlier, my mistake. **** knows where 57 is, but it sounds toilety. There's something about rear-facing seats which I always preferred.

me too. VC10 to ascension was my only backward trip.

 

[Scaf]

Have they got 30 or so people down the isles all frying woks over an open flame?

Thai Airways Is Selling Patonggo Snacks At Silom To Help Boost Income

After opening their first cabin cafe, Thai Airways is now selling patonggo snacks with a sweet potato dipping sauce at Silom to boost income.

www.google.co.uk

 

[Doctor Houx]

me too. VC10 to ascension was my only backward trip.

Crab Air from Brize Norton. No movies or catering! Been there, done that!