British Airways will bid farewell to its final London-based Boeing 747s today with a rare synchronised dual take off for the "Queen of the Skies", the jet which brought long-haul flights to the masses.
Once the world's largest operator of the 747, BA has now retired its entire jumbo jet fleet after the Covid-19 pandemic curtailed most air travel, accelerating the move to more fuel-efficient planes.
BA's chief executive Alex Cruz said it would "be a difficult day for everybody at British Airways as the aircraft leaves our home at Heathrow for the very last time." For over 50 years, the 747 has been the world's most easily recognised jetliner with its humped fuselage, four engines and 16 main wheels.