BA confirms BOAC and Landor 747s to be preserved

After much speculation, British Airways has confirmed that its final two Boeing 747s will be preserved.

These aircraft have been the focus of much attention since they are two of the retro livery aircraft, wearing the BOAC and Landor liveries which were applied to mark BA’s 100th anniversary.

At present the two aircraft, registrations G-BNLY and G-BYGC, are in storage at BA’s BAMC base at Cardiff Airport.

Now, they will each be sent to their final homes where they will be preserved for future generations to enjoy.

G-BYGC BOAC Livery 747

This stunning aircraft is to be sent to the Bro Tathan business park at St Athan Airport, only a few miles from Cardiff. It will be maintained as a heritage piece by aviation specialists eCube Solutions to showcase the pre-eminent contribution British Airways’ 747 fleet made to UK aviation.

G-BNLY Landor Livery 747

British Airways New Livery.
Photo Chris Bellew /Fennell Photography Copyright 2019

Wearing the livery in which British Airways 747-400s first appeared in the early 1990s, this aircraft is going to be preserved at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey. G-BNLY has been given a new lease of life as a permanent exhibit and it will join its sister 747, G-CIVW, which was retired in late October and features the current Chatham Dockyard livery.

[Where to See British Airways 747s Today]

Sean Doyle, CEO of British Airways, said: “While we will miss seeing them grace our skies, we are delighted to have found permanent homes for our remaining centenary 747 aircraft.

“We think they have great historical importance, not only to British Airways but to the entire aviation industry, and we are pleased they will be preserved for future generations in locations in the UK.

“As the final 747s to leave our fleet, their departure will be an emotional moment for former and current British Airways staff, including our engineering team in Cardiff who have lovingly looked after our jumbo jets for decades.”

G-BNLY and G-BYGC are the last two British Airways 747s to be retired, with G-BYGC being the final 747 to leave the British Airways fleet. The Negus-liveried 747, registration G-CIVB, was one of the last two 747s to depart Heathrow Airport in October and has also been found a permanent home at Cotswold Airport in Gloucestershire.