Latest British Airways Boeing 747 retiree lands in South Wales

G-BNLN showing its size over British Airways Boeing 747-436 G-BNLN showing its size over Barry (Image: Phillip Dawson)
British Airways Boeing 747-436 G-BNLN showing its size over Barry (Image: Phillip Dawson)

The latest Boeing 747-400 to be retired by British Airways (BA/BAW) has arrived at St Athan (DGX/EGSY) in South Wales where it will be scrapped.

G-BNLN (Lima November) took off for her final flight from London Heathrow (LHR/EGLL) this afternoon as “Speedbird 9179” and flew the short hop to South Wales where it landed at the facility which is home to several aircraft “parting out” specialists.

British Airways Boeing 747-436 arriving into St Athan G-BNLN Image: (Peter Howlett)
British Airways Boeing 747-436 arriving into St Athan G-BNLN Image: (Peter Howlett)

Boeing 747-436 “Lima November” (MSN24056) started life with British Airways fresh from Boeing’s Everett factory in June 1990. It then spent 29 years flying British Airways passengers across the globe.

The aircraft was christened “City of Portsmouth”.

The retirement of G-BNLN leaves 33 Boeing 747-400’s in the British Airways fleet with 24 now having been retired. The aircraft still flying include 3 painted in retro liveries of BOAC, BA Landor and BA Negus.

G-BNLN on Final Approach (Image: Paul Wilde)
G-BNLN on Final Approach (Image: Paul Wilde)
G-BNLN Touching down at St Athan (Image: Jess Wilde)
G-BNLN Touching down at St Athan (Image: Jess Wilde)
About Nick Harding 1897 Articles
Nick is the senior reporter and editor at UK Aviation News as well as working freelance elsewhere. He has his finger firmly on the pulse on Aviation, not only in the UK but worldwide. Nick has been asked to speak in a professional capacity on LBC, Heart and other broadcast networks.