Retired British Airways 747 to become a cinema

BA 747-400 to become cinema and conference venue.

 

A British Airways 747 passenger plane is being turned into a cinema and educational facility at Cotswold Airport in Gloucestershire.

 

The aircraft, G-CIVB Boeing 747, first entered the fleet in February 1994 and made its last passenger flight on 6 April 2020, having flown nearly 60 million miles.

 

Kemble Air Services says it signed a contract on 23 October to purchase the aircraft and will convert part of the interior into a cinema, business and conferencing centre, and private-hire venue.

 

The company expects the aircraft will be open to the public from spring 2021.

 

“There is such a huge amount of interest in her as British Airways’ last commercially operated 747 and with the historic livery in which she is painted as well,” said Suzannah Harvey, chief executive of Cotswold Airport.

 

“We’ve got a very good support network building already which will help to maintain and preserve her for the future.”

 

Sean Doyle, chief executive of British Airways, said: “It was with great sadness that we retired our two final 747s based at Heathrow, so we’re glad Cotswold Airport is able to give one of these aircraft a new home and a new lease of life.”

 

Boeing will stop making the 747 planes in 2022, as airlines opt for newer and more fuel-efficient aircraft.