Ncelhr From Vatican City, joined Jul 2006, 354 posts, RR: 0 Posted (4 years 7 months 3 weeks 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 9546 times:
As discussed in earlier postings, the BA 752 fleet will eventually be phased out, with some aircraft (the ETOPS rated ones) probably going to Open Skies & the others probably being sold.
Does anybody have an idea when that will take place? I am asking this because last week I flew on 2 BA 752s and my goodness were they in a bad cosmetic condition. Outside: the radome was pitted, with paint chipping. Paint chipping around the cockpit windows. Engine cowling & pylons with chipped paint. Flaps showing thick trails of oil/dirt, crackling paint on top of the wings - simply awful.
Inside it wasn't any better: leather seats with cracking upholstery, folded tables that had different colour from one seat to the next (some blue, some beige, and of a different type). Disjointed ceiling & storage bin fittings, including some panels that were falling off (with cables appearing behind them), ripped/worn seat pockets.
I was simply amazed that BA would let such a bird fly. I am sure it was safe to fly, but is this the image that BA wants to portray? At least a minimum of cosmetic doing-up was required, like putting panels back together.
Even in the latter days of the first batch of 752s (G-BIK*) they didn't look that worn out.... I wonder how much longer BA will offer this product in its current state.
VS773ER From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2004, 269 posts, RR: 1 Reply 2, posted (4 years 7 months 3 weeks 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 9092 times:
Given the economic climate, it might it be that BA are choosing to use their finances/resources more wisely by keeping their aircraft mechanically sound rather than cosmetically.
AlanUK From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 4, posted (4 years 7 months 3 weeks 6 days 7 hours ago) and read 8783 times:
Quoting APYu (Reply 1): I dont think this is limited to the 752 fleet. The 747's also look quite tired at the moment.
... and the A320s (BUS* series)
... and the B767s
Really only the A319/320 (new)/321/777 look good at BA currently, and that's only because they're new.
Hands up, BA is bad at keeping its plane in top tip conditions inside!
It's widely expected that BA's 752 will all go to OpenSkies in a matter of months, as more A320/321s arrive steadily in the BA mainline LHR fleet. Good riddance I say!
CityofAthens From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 5, posted (4 years 7 months 3 weeks 6 days 7 hours ago) and read 8722 times:
Quoting AlanUK (Reply 4): BA is bad at keeping its plane in top tip conditions inside!
Unfortunately, I have to concur. It's embarrassing, and I think a lot of people higher up the ladder at BA need to get out of their fancy offices and 'get dirty' by checking out their product now and then - and that doesn't mean the odd First class flight to visit the office in New York.
BALHRWWCC From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 7, posted (4 years 7 months 3 weeks 6 days 4 hours ago) and read 7717 times:
Quoting AlanUK (Reply 4):
... and the A320s (BUS* series)
They shouldn't be looking too tired as the seats are the space saver seats that where fitted to all the A319, A320 and 757 aircraft to add an extra row on each aircraft a year or two ago.
If I remember rightly the BUS series of aircraft where last to be fitted with the seats as they where originally planned to have been removed from the fleet and retired.
When it comes to the 747's BA is currently in process of refurbishing all the toilets on the 747's, With new lights, White walls and silver and blue detailing. However the WT/WTP cabin upgrade is looking like not happening to 2010.
The WT/WTP relaunch was planned to coincide with the delivery of BA's first new 787-836 aircraft. They were originally due start entering service in Aug 2010. Now with deliveries being delayed by anything up to and over a year they are now looking at the possibility of rolling it out on the 777 fleet first.
The reason the 777'swill probably get the refurb first is because when the older 777's (G-ZZZA-C, G-RAES and G-VIIA-N) are fitted with the new CW seats they will not have the new Rockwell AVOD due to the older 777's being fitted with a non Rockwell IFE system called G-MIIS. To change the G-MIIS system to the new avod would mean all the current IFE cabling being pulled out and new Rockwell cabling being fitted. BA have decided that the cost of rewiring could not be justified. This is because when BA relauch WT/WTP all longhaul aircraft will be re fitted with a brand new state of the art IFE system. At the same time as the new seats are fitted.
A340600 From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2003, 4103 posts, RR: 53 Reply 8, posted (4 years 7 months 3 weeks 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 6428 times:
While some 747's are looking tired I wouldn't go as far as to say it's embarassing. In fact I think most of the longhaul fleet are in a good cosmetic condition. The 767's were all dusked and the 777's look fine, with the exception of some older examples. The 747's are getting attention. I noticed brand new jumpseats and panels on one example with the new toilets the other day.
On a slightly different subject, it's about time BA replaced the ugly and old fashioned pink and blue headrest covers in WT. They replaced the ugly WTP examples with a light blue cloth, in WT they could keep the lower material but use a more modern and uniform colour, the current doesn't really match BA.
Despite the name I am a Boeing man through and through!
LHR27C From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2004, 1279 posts, RR: 18 Reply 9, posted (4 years 7 months 3 weeks 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 6223 times:
Quoting BALHRWWCC (Reply 7): The WT/WTP relaunch was planned to coincide with the delivery of BA's first new 787-836 aircraft. They were originally due start entering service in Aug 2010. Now with deliveries being delayed by anything up to and over a year they are now looking at the possibility of rolling it out on the 777 fleet first.
Very interesting... so is the plan possibly that at least some of the older 744s will never get the new WT/WTP because by 2010/2011 they will soon be getting phased out and replaced by A380?
Also, I guess the A380 will be arriving before the 787 now.
Once you have tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned forever skyward
Tommy767 From United States of America, joined Aug 2003, 6172 posts, RR: 9 Reply 10, posted (4 years 7 months 3 weeks 6 days 1 hour ago) and read 5800 times:
Quoting A340600 (Reply 8): While some 747's are looking tired I wouldn't go as far as to say it's embarassing
I agree. I've seen pics on the BA 747s and they look just fine compared to UA and NWs
"Folks that's the news and I'm outta here!" -- Dennis Miller
DanTaylor2006 From UK - England, joined Feb 2006, 459 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (4 years 7 months 3 weeks 6 days ago) and read 5403 times:
Quoting AlanUK (Reply 4): ... and the A320s (BUS* series)
I flew BUSJ in July, and the cabin was looking very worn. Pieces of the ceiling falling off, dirty walls, bits of the seats were tattered and torn. Not a great impression really, if it was someones first time on BA.
I flew BZHA in March, and it wasn't actually that bad inside. Pretty decent cabin still, on that a/c at least. Of course, it didn't match the A319 on the outbound, but it wasn't that bad.
Tommy767 From United States of America, joined Aug 2003, 6172 posts, RR: 9 Reply 13, posted (4 years 7 months 3 weeks 6 days ago) and read 5252 times:
Quoting AIR MALTA (Reply 11): I ahve flown on 4 744s of BA this year and all of them were fine. The WT and CW were all fine and they are far from being embaressing.
Yup. And give BA credit for installing PTV's in all cabins. Domestic Carriers are too cheap to do that these days.
"Folks that's the news and I'm outta here!" -- Dennis Miller
Virtual From United Kingdom, joined Jul 2007, 30 posts, RR: 0 Reply 15, posted (4 years 7 months 3 weeks 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 4780 times:
The tattiest plane I've ever been on was BA 747 in 1996. Both the exterior and interior were in terrible condition. The insides of the doors had been re-painted with a brush! The sort of thing you would expect from a third-world carrier, not BA.
GDB From United Kingdom, joined exactly 12 years ago today! , 12713 posts, RR: 80 Reply 16, posted (4 years 7 months 3 weeks 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 4336 times:
The date for 787's had slipped to 2012, I'm hearing rumours that 2013 is more likely.
So possible we'll get the A380 in service before the 787, despite the original schedule of 787's in service 2 years before the A380.
I think if you could go on board much or all of a major airline's fleet over a short period of time, you'd find enough aircraft with imperfect interiors, some less than good exteriors too.
Not an excuse, but BA is far from unique here.
Tonystan From Ireland, joined Jan 2006, 1176 posts, RR: 2 Reply 17, posted (4 years 7 months 3 weeks 5 days 22 hours ago) and read 4206 times:
Quoting Virtual (Reply 15): The insides of the doors had been re-painted with a brush!
They are in the process of refreshing the lavs on the 747's at the moment but prior to this they have been painting the lav walls leaving very obvious stroke marks.
Agreed, very naff!
VikingA346 From Sweden, joined Oct 2006, 499 posts, RR: 0 Reply 18, posted (4 years 7 months 3 weeks 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 3700 times:
Quoting Beaucaire (Reply 14): BA shares have lost 25% in just five days- AF "only" 4 %..
To me the British carrier is becoming a bargain purchase for a wealthy ME/Gulf carrier
Are you smoking crack???
...you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been and there you shall return
Bongodog1964 From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2006, 3018 posts, RR: 2 Reply 19, posted (4 years 7 months 3 weeks 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 2816 times:
Quoting Beaucaire (Reply 14): BA shares have lost 25% in just five days- AF "only" 4 %..
To me the British carrier is becoming a bargain purchase for a wealthy ME/Gulf carrier.
As discussed many times, its simply not possible. British & EU rules would not allow the majority of any EU airline to fall into non EU hands.
Jfk777 From United States of America, joined Aug 2006, 7348 posts, RR: 7 Reply 20, posted (4 years 7 months 3 weeks 5 days 19 hours ago) and read 2591 times:
Quoting HAWK21M (Reply 3): Are all BA B752s RB211-535E4 equipped or are there a few -535C around.
When BA operated many 757 many were the -535C version since most sectors were short length. Today what remnains of BA's 757 are the -535E.
Nwarooster From United States of America, joined Feb 2005, 849 posts, RR: 3 Reply 21, posted (4 years 7 months 3 weeks 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 1926 times:
767nutter From United Kingdom, joined Sep 2008, 161 posts, RR: 0 Reply 22, posted (4 years 7 months 3 weeks 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 1648 times:
Quoting AlanUK (Reply 4): Hands up, BA is bad at keeping its plane in top tip conditions inside
agreed, other airlines like Thomson when buying older planes such as 757/767's and other second hand 737-800's are re fitting all their interiors to look brand new, this year ( actually yesterday) i flew on a First Choice A321, was told by the pilots it was about 11 years old, the cockpit was looking old with paint chipping in some places, but the cabin was immaculate.
If FCA and Thomson can afford to do it i'm sure BA will have no problem
Skyhigh From Australia, joined Nov 2005, 234 posts, RR: 6 Reply 23, posted (4 years 7 months 3 weeks 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 1362 times:
I recently flew from SYD-LHR on a BA 747 in economy. On the way there, a girl across the aisle from me had a reading light that kept flicking on and off regularly at random. It was a full flight and she had the same seat all the way. By the time we landed at LHR, she was hysterical and in tears.
OK, she might have been a little more sensitive than the average person but I have to admit that it would have been pretty annoying after 21 hours. B.A. had tortured the poor girl with sensery deprivation!
On the way back I flew premium economy and my seat was broken and wouldn't recline fully. Not only that but my IFE wasn't working in my seat and the entire row behind. Once again it was a full flight so there were no spare seats when I asked to move. The stewardess did not even apologize about the seat or IFE, which is pretty appalling for a Premium Economy seat!
The long haul fleet needs some love and attention if my 2 flights were anything to go by.
Baexecutive From United Kingdom, joined Jul 2005, 653 posts, RR: 0 Reply 24, posted (4 years 7 months 3 weeks 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 1129 times:
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