Crowds flock to see final flight of icon of the skies
ONE of British Airways’ most iconic planes took to the skies for the last time on Friday, December 11 as the airline’s last remaining Boeing 747 made one final short journey from Cardiff Airport.
The huge passenger plane flew from Cardiff Airport to eCube Solutions at Bro Tathan business park in St Athan where it will be preserved.
Earlier this year, British Airways announced that due to the coronavirus pandemic, and its devastating effect on the travel industry, the retirement of all 31 of its 747 fleet would be brought forward to this year.
Since entering the fleet on January 20, 1999, the aircraft – registration GBYGC – has undertaken 11,049 flights and flown for 91,023 hours over nearly 45 million miles. It last carried passengers in April, on a flight from San Francisco to Heathrow.
While new planes are being engineered and developed every year, the Boeing 747 holds a special place in the hearts of pilots, cabin crew and plane fanatics.
As well as all the crew invited to view its last journey, dozens of avid aviation fans lined the fence of the runway to watch it land one last time. Those on board the ceremonial flight included cabin crew member Barbara Christian, a former Miss Wales from Pontypridd. She first travelled on the aircraft in 1985 to compete in Miss Universe.
She has been a flight attendant for 16 years and has spent 10 years of these on board Jumbo Jets such as the 747.
Barbara said: “The 747 is an iconic aircraft. It flies beautifully and was a pleasure to serve on, especially the upper deck.
“My first ever long-haul passenger flight was on a 747 to attend a Miss Universe event in Miami.
“I remember being awestruck then, and that same feeling has continued throughout my career.
“It’s lovely to be back in Wales, and an honour and privilege to witness her last ever flight. So this is farewell from one Queen to another.
“We’ve had many, many wonderful people on board and everybody is special. Everybody looks forward to flying on the 747, she is an iconic aircraft.
“Some people are on board for a special occasion, some for business but everyone comes away having had an excellent experience. Every day we get on board this is a special day.
“When you see her on the ground she is enormous, the sheer size and scale is awe inspiring.”
Another crew member on board was Martin Wiggam, who has been cabin crew with British Airways for just over a year.
He said: “It is an absolutely iconic aircraft. Every time I got on board this for work I was filled with child-like awe every single time. This is the last of the golden era of aviation, this is pretty much it not for truly iconic aircrafts. The way aircraft is going now is fantastic but there’s just nothing like this.”
Sean
Doyle,
British
Airways’ CEO, said: “This final 747 journey is a bittersweet moment for the many thousands of British Airways customers and crew who have flown the world on these Queens of the Sky over the last five decades.
“But while we will certainly miss their majestic presence in the skies above, knowing our last 747 will be preserved for future generations to enjoy at a new home in Wales gives us a great sense of pride and is a fitting end to this chapter of British Airways’ history.”