Retired all their 747s today too. The aviation world’s a sadder place now. Never forgotten as a young lad walking across the skywalk at Gatwick to board a Jumbo for the first time. Absolutely awesome sight
Agree with @Sev - the aging B744 was a lovely aircraft but not suited to today’s emissions and fuel costs. Using a B787 instead of a B744 on a transatlantic route saves around $50k in fuel I believe. Most modern twin engine long haul aircraft are ETOPS* qualified which allows them to fly single engine for up to 3 hours to a diversionary airfield. This allows them to use typical long haul routing with little difference compared to 4 engine a/c. *Extended Twin Ops
I thought that was binned a long time ago, or is it certain routes where 4 engines were still required - I recall a drunken flight from Heathrow to Denver (with many stops) in 1991 on a 757 but that went 'over the top' so may not be classed as 'over the Atlantic'?
ETOPS first introduced in 1985 on B767 and A300. Single engine operation was limited to 90 minutes back then. Nowadays, system and engine failure rates /reliability is so good that it has grown to 3 hours. Airlines need to constantly monitor the failure rates of key systems and engines and report back any unforeseen failures to the airworthiness authorities. If serious, they could have their approval downgraded. Alternative meaning of ETOPS (according to a friend): Engines Turn Or Passengers Swim..
What? That ugly bulbous old thing! Now driving by and seeing these was something special... I put up a pic of them together, there really is no comparison in terms of beauty.
when I first saw that, ^ and it being Russian I felt sure a variation of this was on the front, silly me.
The 747 was never conventionally beautiful, but it was/is an awesome piece of kit, particularly when you first walk up to one. A380s getting binned now too, you have to fill these monsters to make them viable & that was already a problem before Covid
I flew on one once from Schipol to Caracas with around eight passengers aboard, that was pretty awesome. Impressive capabilities in machines is admirable, but the truly great ones are beautiful too...!
IIRC ETOPS also requires an enhanced maintenance programme as well as a more restrictive Minimum Equipment List (simplistically a list of things that need to be working, particularly those providing back up to primary systems) in order to dispatch the aircraft, compared to non ETOPS, so it's all good. Then again, there is also a quote attributed to several aviation pioneers, apparently, that when asked 'Why do you always insist on flying on a four engined aircraft' the individual replied 'Because there are no five engined ones'.... Mr Bimble.
A380 is my favourite as the front is totally segregated from the main seating so you don’t get “wanderers” coming up to the bar as happens a lot with Virgin/BA etc. Virgin used to have the bar just right as you could have your meal served there, then they changed it by 90 degrees and it was back to the seat for you matey if you want to dine!
You have obviously not visited the Turner Gallery in Margate. This would pass off as intelligent art, I went a few years ago. Never seen such a collection of pretentious crap in my life. One exhibit was a giant genga made from railway sleepers, in a massive room. Another a projector running on a continuous loop, showing I know not what. I should not have been surprised, with Tracy Enema being one of their patrons.
There will be a lot more going this way, Virgin Atlantic are treating their customers like shit. I have travelled with Virgin for the last 20 years, never again. They have turned the brand toxic during COVID 19.
I did Gatwick to Denver with 1 stop at Bangor Maine cheap flight but bloody uncomfortable think all in 14 hours . Update think it was a 767, I do recall questioning if was suitable....
