British Airways has retired its first Boeing 747 since announcing last month that all 31 of its jumbo jets had sadly flown their last commercial services.

The Boeing 747400, registration GCIVD, departed from London Heathrow on Tuesday, 18 August at around 10.30am local time after more than 25 magnificent years of flying.

The 747 has been an iconic part of British Airways’ fleet for nearly fifty years. At one point the airline operated 57 of the aircraft, with the jumbo jet’s first flight to New York in 1971.

The fuelhungry aircraft are slowly being phased out by British Airways as they reach the end of their working life in order to help meet our commitment to net zero by 2050. The airline has invested heavily in new, modern longhaul aircraft including six A350s and 32 787s which are around 25 per cent more fuelefficient than the 747.