BAW Bids Farewell To The B757 After 27 Years With Retro Scheme

[joeyb747]

British Airways has parted ways with it's faithful fleet of Boeing 757s after a 27 year relationship, longer then any other airline. The fleet reached a strength of 54 at it's max. The final revenue flight was on Saturday, October 30, 2010. Boeing 757-236 G-CPET (cn 29115/798) was painted in a special retro scheme and renamed for the retirement. Most of the BAW aircraft will go on to serve carriers like FedEx and UPS.

http://www.bangaloreaviation.com/2010/10/british-airways-revives-1983-livery-in.html

#1 and #2 are Boeing 757-236 G-CPET (cn 29115/798) in the retro scheme in 2010, shortly before the end.

#3 is Boeing 757-236 G-BIKB (cn 22173/10) in delivery scheme in 1983. She went on to serve DHL in 2001.

#4 is Boeing 757-236 G-BIKK (cn 22182/30) in 1986. She went on to serve DHL as well. I like this pic...two of my favorite Boeings in one frame, as well as two classic schemes!  

[ect76]

Actually drove 60 miles from where I live in Dundee to Edinburgh Airport on the day of G-CPET's last revenue service, around 6.30pm, to see her depart for the last time in her retro livery.

She looked very sharp. It's a shame they've gone, but they had a good run with BA and I remember the days that the 757's were a regular sight on the domestic routes.
Now it's all A320s and A321s!

[joeyb747]

Actually drove 60 miles from where I live in Dundee to Edinburgh Airport on the day of G-CPET's last revenue service, around 6.30pm, to see her depart for the last time in her retro livery.

She looked very sharp. It's a shame they've gone, but they had a good run with BA and I remember the days that the 757's were a regular sight on the domestic routes.
Now it's all A320s and A321s!

Do you have pics? I'd love to see them!

Unfortunately, older B757s are going the way of the L-1011, DC-10, and Classic B747 models...heading off the main lines to shuffle freight...sad really...I miss the classic heavies.

Being close to Detroit, I'd go out to KDTW and check out all the heavy "Redtails". NWA ran several kinds of heavy aircraft out of KDTW. DC-10-30s and DC-10-40s, Boeing 747-200 series (passenger and cargo configs), and the "heavy or not" Boeing 757. I remember KDTW-KMSP DC-10 Hub to hub service when I was a kid. Those are all gone as well. The Classic 747s gave way to the 747-400s and the DC-10s gave way to the A-330s. A few original NWA B757s solider on...in Delta colors of course...

Speaking of Delta...

I can remember when Delta ran a L-1011 Tristar out of KATL down to KMCO...short flight for a Tristar...but really cool, and always PACKED! I was fortunate enough to get a ride on a Delta L-1011 before they were all retired. Pretty cool.

Miss those old birds...

[ect76]

It was an amazing sight to watch the last 75' depart for BA! I remember listening to the ATC and hearing the captain, as he was requesting clearance, inform tower that they were going to be doing a maximum thrust departure and to expect a very high rate of climb.
I must say, it was something else to watch! She shot off into the night sky like a rocket.
Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures as it is dark already here at that time of night, but there's a great trip report of the very flight I witnessed leaving over on FlyerTalk

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/british-airways-executive-club/1142437-tr-final-farewell-last-british-airways-757-flight-w-pics-vid.html

EDIT - Be sure to check out the videos of takeoff, approach announcement and landing at the bottom of the trip report!

[joeyb747]

Neat!  

Shortcut to vids:

Final BA 757 Takeoff (EGPH-EGLL):


Final BA 757 Landing Preparation (EGPH-EGLL):


Final BA 757 Landing (EGPH-EGLL):


Final BA 757 Water Cannon Salute:


On board British Airways' last Boeing 757 flights (G-CPET) (EGLL-EGPH-EGLL):


Final visit of a British Airways Boeing 757 to Glasgow Airport (EGPF):


Enjoy!