Last ever British Airways 737 service

[essayer]

Flying right now as BA2579 Turin-LGW is a 737-400 G-DOCX, the last ever BA 737 passenger flight.

They've been operating 737s since 1980.

Guess it's the 744s next

[Eric Mc]

Flew on DOCU and CV last year. They were looking rather tired.

[pushthebutton]

essayer said:

Guess it's the 744s next

The 767s may have something to say about that...

[LHRFlightman]

Many of the 744's are getting cabin refits, including IFE. They'll be around for another 10 years yet.

And BA took delivery of their first 789 this morning. I watched it land out of the office window and very nice it looked too.

All change!

[surveyor]

LHRFlightman said:

Many of the 744's are getting cabin refits, including IFE. They'll be around for another 10 years yet.

And BA took delivery of their first 789 this morning. I watched it land out of the office window and very nice it looked too.

All change!

Some of then need that refit. Hope that includes the cheap seats at the back...

[Simpo Two]

Well it's DOCX not DOC so it's been updated...

[Equilibrium25]

Did BA do anything special to mark the retirement?

I flew on one of the last 757 flights (VIE-LHR) before they retired the fleet and the aircraft (G-CPET) had been re-liveried in 1980s Landore BA colours for its last weeks - a classy and nice touch.

[Andy Zarse]

essayer said:

They've been operating 737s since 1980.

Err... late 1970s IIRC?

[Eric Mc]

I think the first 737-236s arrived around 1979. They were purchased to replace the early Tridents that were still in service at that time (some Trident 1s and 2s). The fleet of 200s built up between 1979/1982.

[alangla]

Eric Mc said:

I think the first 737-236s arrived around 1979. They were purchased to replace the early Tridents that were still in service at that time (some Trident 1s and 2s). The fleet of 200s built up between 1979/1982.

Wikipedia reckons 1977 for the 200, 1988 for the 300 and 1996 for the 500. Doesn't say anything for the 400.
As far as I was aware, the Glasgow engineering operation was the main maintenance centre for the 737 fleet, any idea what they're doing now the aircraft is gone?

[JuniorD]

pushthebutton said:

essayer said:

Guess it's the 744s next

The 767s may have something to say about that...

One chum of mine got out of 767s onto 744s for that very reason.

[Eric Mc]

1977 sounds a bit early to me. I was an active plane spotter at that time and I certainly don't recall any until at least 1979.

However, doing a bit of Googling reveals that BA trialed a couple of leased 737s (from Transavia Holland) in 1977 as a precursor to ordering their own 737s in 1978. Their own fleet (737-236s) started arriving in 1979/80.

[FW18]

Comair are still operating 737 planes on behalf of BA in South Africa, seem to be in good nick to when I was on one in February.

[TTOBES]

Just seen 737 G-DOCW up in the air, confirmed with Flight Radar. From LGW, no destination specified. Now over Milton Keynes

[TTOBES]

On BA Source as indeed heading to its final destination for scrap.

"Withdrawn British Airways Boeing 737-436 G-DOCW departed the UK this morning routing London Gatwick – Keflavik – Goose Bay – Chicago Rockford – Victorville for part out and scrap using GDOCW as its callsign."

[darreni]

I flew on a titan charter 737 - 300 on Monday from Gatwick to Guernsey, very impressive.

The pilot was able to land to turn off the runway at Guernsey in an incredibly short distance.

[TTOBES]

Have just seen that DOCX as mentioned by the OP is not far behind DOCW.

I also learn that BA have a new 787-9 coming over from Seattle today. OK, must do work.

[Prawo Jazdy]

TTOBES said:

On BA Source as indeed heading to its final destination for scrap.

"Withdrawn British Airways Boeing 737-436 G-DOCW departed the UK this morning routing London Gatwick – Keflavik – Goose Bay – Chicago Rockford – Victorville for part out and scrap using GDOCW as its callsign."

I hope one crew is doing that whole trip - what a great little adventure in an empty 737! Even if it is to a scrap heap... Are there still two G-DOCx's parked at Cranfield?

[MarkwG]

Prawo Jazdy said:

Are there still two G-DOCx's parked at Cranfield?

There a couple of weeks back, just the one I think, DOCB. Keeping a couple of BAe cockroaches company

[Condi]

LHRFlightman said:

Many of the 744's are getting cabin refits, including IFE. They'll be around for another 10 years yet.

Cheap these days.

Fuel is comparatively cheap, so the fact they are using more fuel isnt such a issue as it was 12 months ago. All paid for and so may as well upgrade the existing planes rather than buy new ones.