On the 8th of October 2020, the British Airways crew departed a Boeing 747-400 (G-CIVY) for the last time from St. Athan Airport Wales. The aircraft is reported to have clocked-up 45 million air miles since it first flew in September 1998. Two other Boeing 747 aircraft based in Heathrow also departed for their last flights to Kemble Airport and to an airfield near Cardif respectively.
For decades, the Boeing 747 was the favourite choice of airlines for long-haul routes and became known as the "Queen of the Skies".
However, British Airways is now joining a long list of airlines who have recently decided to ground the 747s in their fleets. The British Airways is the world's largest operator of the jumbo jets, with 31 in its fleet.
BBC. reported a spokesperson of BA as saying: "It is with great sadness that we can confirm we are proposing to retire our entire 747 fleet with immediate effect. It is unlikely our magnificent 'queen of the skies' will ever operate commercial services for British Airways again due to the downturn in travel caused by the Covid-19 global pandemic".
Airlines across the world have been hit hard by coronavirus-related travel restrictions which has now forced the retirement of the Boeing 747 launched over 50 years ago.