End of era as BA says goodbye to long-serving aircraft
British Airways’ Boeing 737s have made their last flights , ending a 35-year service record.
The BA2578 from Gatwick to Turin, and the return service BA2579 were the last time customers to fly on a British Airways 737.
The 737 fleet has been the mainstay of the carrier’s short-haul network for the last 35 years after the first 737-200s first entered service for British Airways in 1980, replacing the Trident fleet on UK and European routes.
The airline is modernising its fleet and the 737 is being replaced by newer aircraft.
In total 15 new aircraft will join the British Airways fleet in 2015 including two A380s, the first five Boeing 787-9s and eight A320s replacing the 737 at Gatwick.
BA has ordered a total 12 A380 super-jumbos 42 787 Dreamliners and 18 A350s.
The airline’s first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner arrived at Heathrow this morning to take its place in the fleet.
The final return flight was flown by an all-female pilot team, Captain Christine Scott and First Officer Gillian Tunley.
It was also Captain Scott’s last flight, as she retired after yesterday’s trip. Captain Scott began her flying career with British Airways on the737 in 1996 before becoming a Captain in 2003.
Captain Scott said: "I’ve been flying the 737 for 19 years, and have loved every moment."
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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