Passengers on Wednesday boarded a British Airways’ Boeing 737 for the last time ever with a final return trip to and from Gatwick Airport. The Boeing 737s' are being retired after 35 years of service with BA, Flights BA2578 from Gatwick to Turin, and the return service BA2579 was the last time customers fly on a British Airways 737.
The 737 fleet has been the airline’s mainstay for short-haul flights for 35 years. The 737-200s first entered service in 1980 for British Airways, replacing the Tridents on UK and European routes.
The final 737 flight was flown by an all-female flight crew, Captain Christine Scott and First Officer Gillian Tunley. The flight was also the end of Captain Scott’s flying careerwith BA as she has retired as well. Captain Scott began her flying career with British Airways on the 737 in 1996 before becoming a Captain in 2003.
Captain Christine Scott, said: “I’ve been flying the 737 for 19 years, and have loved every moment. It’s a terrific aircraft to fly and has proved incredibly safe, comfortable and reliable for our customers over the past four decades. I`m pleased that this will continue with the Airbus 320s replacing the 737 on short-haul routes at Gatwick. I can’t think of a better way to end my British Airways career.”
British Airways will bring a total of 15 new aircraft to its fleet in 2015, including two Airbus A380s, the first five Boeing 787-9s and eight Airbus A320s.#
The airline ordered a total of 12x A380 super jumbos, 42 x 787 Dreamliners and 18 x A350s. They also took delivery of the very first 787-900 on Wednesday. The aviation wheel turns full circle.
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