British Airways announced on July 17 that it was immediately retiring its Boeing 747 jumbo jet fleet as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Photo: Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesBritish Airways announced on July 17 that it was immediately retiring its Boeing 747 jumbo jet fleet as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Photo: Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images
British Airways announced on July 17 that it was immediately retiring its Boeing 747 jumbo jet fleet as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Photo: Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Lifestyle /  Travel & Leisure

The Boeing 747 flies into history with end to production announced, brought down by coronavirus and demand for fuel economy

  • Designed in the 1960s, the original jumbo jet democratised air travel. After 50 years’ passenger service, it has been overtaken by more fuel-efficient airliners
  • Its days were already numbered before the Covid-19 pandemic decimated air travel, and production will end in 2022

Topic |   Aviation
Agence France-Presse
Agence France-Presse

Updated: 7:15pm, 31 Jul, 2020

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British Airways announced on July 17 that it was immediately retiring its Boeing 747 jumbo jet fleet as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Photo: Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesBritish Airways announced on July 17 that it was immediately retiring its Boeing 747 jumbo jet fleet as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Photo: Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images
British Airways announced on July 17 that it was immediately retiring its Boeing 747 jumbo jet fleet as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Photo: Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images
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