British Airways retires Boeing 737s ahead of fleet replacement
Passengers on Wednesday boarded a British Airways’ Boeing 737 for the last time ever with a final return trip to and from Gatwick Airport.
As British Airways modernizes its fleet of aircraft, the Boeing 737 planes are being retired after 35 years of service.
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 the last 35 years. The 737-200s first entered service for British Airways in 1980, replacing the Trident fleet on UK and European routes.
The final 737 flight was flown by an all-female pilot team, Captain Christine Scott and First Officer Gillian Tunley. The flight also signaled the end of Captain Scott’s flying career as she will be retiring as well. Captain Scott began her flying career with British Airways on the 737 in 1996 before becoming a Captain in 2003.
British Airways 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 welcome a total of 15 new aircraft to its fleet in 2015 including two A380s, the first five Boeing 787-9s and eight A320s.
British Airways has ordered a total 12 A380 super jumbos, 42 787 Dreamliners and 18 A350s. They took delivery of first 787-900 on Wednesday.
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