A British Airways 747 will today depart for Dunsfold Aerodrome where it will begin its new life as a TV and film set. The aircraft, registration G-CIVW, will land at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey.

In July, the British airline announced that it was grounding its fleet of 747s following the damaging impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on both the airline and aviation sector. BA retired the last of its huge Boeing 747 airplanes 8 of October when the final two planes still in service departed from London Heathrow.

The Dunsfold Aerodrome will preserve Boeing 747 for use as a commercial film set and training facility. The aircraft which will keep its Chatham Dockyard livery will be stored in public view on the airfield. In time the aircraft will be opened up as an exhibition for visitors to experience up close the size and scale of the Queen of the Skies.

The aircraft, like many other 747s, has ties with the world of film, having flown many actors across its cabins and having often visited film set hotspots like Los Angeles and New York. In its new role, it will feature more prominently in front of the camera, used to mock-up interior and exterior shots for TV and film.

Jim McAllister, Chief Executive, Dunsfold Aerodrome, commented: “The 747 is a unique and important piece of aviation history and we are excited to be taking delivery of this retired aircraft at Dunsfold Aerodrome. Whilst G-CIVW will no longer fly, the aircraft will be preserved and given a new lease of life in the world of TV and film, training and special events.”

With an aviation heritage that includes the development of military aircraft such as the Harrier, Hawk and Hunter, Dunsfold Aerodrome is the perfect fit for the generation-defining 747. Just 13 miles west of London Gatwick, the Aerodrome provides a convenient location for a variety of aircraft operations including flight testing, maintenance, repair, storage, hangarage and apron parking.

After entering the British Airways fleet on 15 May, 1998, G-CIVW operated 11,424 flights and flew 90,617 hours over 45 million miles. Its last passenger flight was from Boston to Heathrow on 28 March, 2020. After its final commercial flight, the aircraft was stored at Bournemouth Airport before moving to storage at Cardiff Airport in June.