Posted: 11:14 a.m. EDT October 22, 2020 | Updated: 1:22 p.m. EDT October 22, 2020
A British Airways jumbo jet has found a new role as a movie set – saving it from the junk where dozens of other 747 airline retirees have found themselves
The plane, registered G-CIVW, will depart Cardiff Airport at 1.30 a.m. today, flight number BA1978E, and land at Dunsfold Airfield in Surrey at 2 a.m. to 3 p.m.
On landing, it will be handed over to the airfield, which will keep the aircraft for use as a commercial film set and as a training center
A retired British Airways 747 is rescued from the trash and given a new TV and movie set role (stock image)
The aircraft, which will retain its Chatham Dockyard livery, will be stored in public view at the airfield
Over time, it will be opened as an exhibit allowing visitors to experience the size and scale of the aircraft up close, known as the ‘Queen of Heaven’
BA says the aircraft, like many other 747s, has ties to the film world, having flown many actors in its cabins and often visiting filming locations such as Los Angeles and New York
The airline added that in her new role, she will be featured more prominently in front of the camera and will be used to simulate interior and exterior shots for TV and film.
G-CIVW entered the British Airways fleet on May 15, 1998 It has made 11,424 flights and flown 90,617 hours over 45 million miles
After its last commercial flight, the plane was parked at Bournemouth Airport before being stored at Cardiff Airport in June
Jim McAllister, General Manager of Dunsfold Airfield, said: « The 747 is a unique and important piece in aviation history and we are delighted to take delivery of this retired aircraft to Dunsfold Airfield
The 747 will be housed at Dunsfold Airfield in Surrey and will be kept in public view
‘While the G-CIVW will no longer fly, the aircraft will be preserved and will find new life in the world of television and film, training and special events’
BA said: « With an aviation heritage that includes the development of military aircraft such as the Harrier, Hawk and Hunter, Dunsfold Airfield is the perfect fit for the generation-defining 747
Just 13 miles west of London Gatwick, the airfield provides an ideal location for a variety of flight operations, including flight testing, maintenance, repair, warehousing, hangar and parking on the apron’
With its domed fuselage, four engines and 16 main wheels, the 747 is the most easily recognized airliner in the world and it democratized global air transport in the 1970s
BA announced in July that it was scrapping its entire jumbo jet fleet with immediate effect (stock image)
It was announced in July that BA would be phasing out its entire jumbo jet fleet with immediate effect
The country’s flag carrier was the world’s last major operator of the iconic 747 aircraft, which had been in service with the airline since 1971
It had 31 giant jets in service before the coronavirus crisis forced bosses to park the entire fleet at airports across the country
BA originally planned to phase them out by 2024 and gradually replace them with newer, more fuel-efficient jets such as the 787 Dreamliner and the Airbus A350 But falling passenger numbers forced the airline to push ahead with plans and the latest 747 took off from Heathrow earlier this month
Pandemic has wrecked travel industry BA owner IAG reported £ 1.2bn in losses earlier on Thursday and warned about future demand
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British Airways, Boeing 747
World News – UK – British Airways jumbo saved from ruin with film contract
