Final two BA 747s Leaving Heathrow for the Last Time
Discussion
I used to go out to Hong Kong a lot, direct with BA on the 747s. Was lucky enough to be in First most of the time, few times could only get a business class and always on the lower deck.
But i recall one trip in 2005, was First out, a very busy three weeks out there, then Business back. When i boarded the plane i hadnt really looked at the boarding pass properly, the checked the pass and I was directed to the stairs..!!
It was weird, it was a totally different "vibe" up there, like a bit of a party! Everyone seemed genuinely excited by the top deck, people stayed up later, drank more, talked far more with each other than in First or the downstairs Business class. The stewards seemed to enjoy it all more up there too! Goog job too as it was 7 grand return fare, (a lot in 2005), thank f
k i wasnt paying!
It was weird though, it was the only time i ever tool the top deck, but was a proper special trip back, I'll remember it for a long time to come.
But i recall one trip in 2005, was First out, a very busy three weeks out there, then Business back. When i boarded the plane i hadnt really looked at the boarding pass properly, the checked the pass and I was directed to the stairs..!!
It was weird, it was a totally different "vibe" up there, like a bit of a party! Everyone seemed genuinely excited by the top deck, people stayed up later, drank more, talked far more with each other than in First or the downstairs Business class. The stewards seemed to enjoy it all more up there too! Goog job too as it was 7 grand return fare, (a lot in 2005), thank f
k i wasnt paying! It was weird though, it was the only time i ever tool the top deck, but was a proper special trip back, I'll remember it for a long time to come.
poo at Paul's said:
It was weird, it was a totally different "vibe" up there, like a bit of a party! Everyone seemed genuinely excited by the top deck, people stayed up later, drank more, talked far more with each other than in First or the downstairs Business class. The stewards seemed to enjoy it all more up there too! Goog job too as it was 7 grand return fare, (a lot in 2005), thank fk i wasnt paying!
It was weird though, it was the only time i ever tool the top deck, but was a proper special trip back, I'll remember it for a long time to come.
I was travelling in & out of Kuwait roughly every 6-7 weeks for a few years. I would always go upper deck. The daytime flight was always like that. Often the rear galley became a stand up bar! The stewardesses were much more chatty & sociable. k i wasnt paying! It was weird though, it was the only time i ever tool the top deck, but was a proper special trip back, I'll remember it for a long time to come.
El stovey said:
caiss4 said:
The give away is that is G-BYGC in the BOAC livery. The two aircraft today were G-CIVB in the Negus livery (now at Kemble) and G-CIVY in current livery that went to St. Athan.
I think some people reposted the old red arrows clip from RIAT last year and now Twitter is full of people talking about the red arrows send off and people complaining about waste etc.The BOAC 747 in the video unfortunately got stored in Cardiff back in June.
Loved the top deck. We’ve done 3 trips to Cape Town and one to San Fran in the last 2 years up there and it just feels so much more special than any other business class even though on the face of it it’s a far inferior product to some of the others out there.
My wife actually cried watching the last flights this morning, she had the fortune of a trip to Havana on the flight deck of a Virgin 747 a couple of years ago so knows how much the type means to those who fly her. Such a shame. I think we’ll make our next trip to South Africa with Lufthansa just to fly on the -800 before that too sees the scrappy.
My wife actually cried watching the last flights this morning, she had the fortune of a trip to Havana on the flight deck of a Virgin 747 a couple of years ago so knows how much the type means to those who fly her. Such a shame. I think we’ll make our next trip to South Africa with Lufthansa just to fly on the -800 before that too sees the scrappy.
djc206 said:
Loved the top deck. We’ve done 3 trips to Cape Town and one to San Fran in the last 2 years up there and it just feels so much more special than any other business class even though on the face of it it’s a far inferior product to some of the others out there.
My wife actually cried watching the last flights this morning, she had the fortune of a trip to Havana on the flight deck of a Virgin 747 a couple of years ago so knows how much the type means to those who fly her. Such a shame. I think we’ll make our next trip to South Africa with Lufthansa just to fly on the -800 before that too sees the scrappy.
I know what you mean! I've only had the chance to fly that once, on a round trip to LA last year.My wife actually cried watching the last flights this morning, she had the fortune of a trip to Havana on the flight deck of a Virgin 747 a couple of years ago so knows how much the type means to those who fly her. Such a shame. I think we’ll make our next trip to South Africa with Lufthansa just to fly on the -800 before that too sees the scrappy.
The business class is more cramped than modern planes, but it feels more special as you have less people up there so in that sense it gets a bit closer to a first class service.
Facing the person next to you who's flying backwards feels very odd, until they put the screen up you're a bit close to the one next to you.
I never got to fly backwards though, I wonder what that feels like during take off/landing.
Its sad to see the 747 gone, I'm glad that I got to fly in it.
peter tdci said:
To keep the spotters happy, surely you should have said 747-8? 
Well because I was specifically referring to Lufthansa’s aircraft 747-830 would have been correct but yes -8 would have been more accurate and I stand corrected! I knew a spotter would pop along and correct me haha! I’ll stick to ICAO designators from now on, they’re more familiar to me. Chris944_S2 said:
I know what you mean! I've only had the chance to fly that once, on a round trip to LA last year.
The business class is more cramped than modern planes, but it feels more special as you have less people up there so in that sense it gets a bit closer to a first class service.
Facing the person next to you who's flying backwards feels very odd, until they put the screen up you're a bit close to the one next to you.
I never got to fly backwards though, I wonder what that feels like during take off/landing.
Its sad to see the 747 gone, I'm glad that I got to fly in it.
Plenty of types you can try the flying backwards on, it’s not really anything weird, slightly more comfortable when they slow down on landing but otherwise not much difference.The business class is more cramped than modern planes, but it feels more special as you have less people up there so in that sense it gets a bit closer to a first class service.
Facing the person next to you who's flying backwards feels very odd, until they put the screen up you're a bit close to the one next to you.
I never got to fly backwards though, I wonder what that feels like during take off/landing.
Its sad to see the 747 gone, I'm glad that I got to fly in it.
We nearly always fly together so the awkward not staring at a stranger thing on BA has never been an issue. Weird config if you’re next a stranger though I agree.
djc206 said:
peter tdci said:
To keep the spotters happy, surely you should have said 747-8?
Well because I was specifically referring to Lufthansa’s aircraft 747-830 would have been correct but yes -8 would have been more accurate and I stand corrected! I knew a spotter would pop along and correct me haha! I’ll stick to ICAO designators from now on, they’re more familiar to me. 
El stovey said:
djc206 said:
peter tdci said:
To keep the spotters happy, surely you should have said 747-8?
Well because I was specifically referring to Lufthansa’s aircraft 747-830 would have been correct but yes -8 would have been more accurate and I stand corrected! I knew a spotter would pop along and correct me haha! I’ll stick to ICAO designators from now on, they’re more familiar to me. El stovey said:
ICAO is B748 isn’t it? TBH djc206 I’m pretty disappointed to see you use 800.
It’s been a long day.Yeah B748
747-830 is correct for Lufthansa in my defence and thats the excuse I’m sticking with when quite clearly I was just plain wrong.
I’m disappointed in myself, I’ve near as dammit accused the Queen of the Skies of being a bloody Airbus. I’m going to weep into a glass of wine now.
Video of the landing at Kemble. Love the weather chatter with ATC.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ber9O46eSD8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ber9O46eSD8
48k said:
Video of the landing at Kemble. Love the weather chatter with ATC.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ber9O46eSD8
Cracking last landing - talk about STOL with no weight and full reverse thrust, and full braking https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ber9O46eSD8
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