Last BA 747-400 to leave fleet in early 2024

British Airways is aiming to withdraw its last Boeing 747-400 in Feb 2024 under its latest strategic fleet plan. The airline remains the largest operator of passenger 747-400s with 36 in service. But it has been undertaking a replacement of the type with long-haul twinjets – Boeing 777s and 787s, plus Airbus A380s and A350s. CFO Steve Gunning said new-generation aircraft were 30% more efficient than the 747s. He says the airline is expecting a GBP150m (US$196m) annual fuel benefit over the next 5 years. Half the current 747 fleet will be withdrawn by 2021 and Gunning says the last 747-400 will exit the BA fleet in Feb 2024. Gunning's data indicates that BA expects to maintain a fleet of 63 777s over the period to 2022, while a gradually-expanding fleet of A380s, A350s and 787s will reach 71 aircraft in the same year. <br/>