History of British Airways G-BOAB

10 years ago British Airways and Air France retires their Super Sonic jet airliner Concorde so today is the history of G-BOAB from British Airways throughout the years of operation. G-BOAB was the third Concorde delivered to British Airways On 30th September 1976 first flew in Filton, UK ON 18th May 1976. During the early years of G-BOAB, On 12th January 1979, British Airways and Air France delivered Concorde to Braniff International Airways in the United States before G-BOAB headed to the US, it was re-registered to G-N94AB on the same day; as it arrives in the US, Braniff re-registered the aircraft again to N941B only to be registered for US domestic flights between Washington - Dallas/Fort Worth - Washington only flight time roughly 45 mins up to 1 hour if my calculation is not correct, feel free to comment. Anyway Braniff owned 10 Concordes leased by British Airways and Air France as part of Braniff's interchange agreement for services between Texas and Europe. There wasn't a full article reasob why Concorde phase out of Braniff in 1980  so I'm not sure if British Airways and Air France agreement with Braniff ended so all of the Concorde fleet returned to BA and Air France re-registering their original registration and back to work on Trans Atlantic flights. However disaster strikes for Concorde.

Air France Flight 4590

As we've entered into the 21st Century, on 25th July 2000 Air France flight 4590 from Paris Charles de Gaulle, France to New York JFK, USA crashed after takeoff from Paris when a tire puncturing the fuel tank catching huge fire like space shuttle blasted off killing everyone onboard. After Flight 4590, all Concorde flights for Air France and British Airways was grounded until further notice. But what does it mean to G-BOAB? While the investigation was underway what caused the Air France crash. British Airways resume Concorde few months later I can't remember when I was too young back in the day. 

Before I continue what about "What does it mean to G-BOAB" that aircraft had an incident before. On 21st March 1992, British Airways flight from London Heathrow, UK - New York JFK, USA suffered a structural failure in-flight at Supersonic Speed the aircraft landed safely to New York with only one engine it wasn't a major incident but you get the idea. 

After the Air France crash, G-BOAB was withdrawn immediately by British Airways on 15th August 2000 after her sister G-BOAA was withdrawn on 12th August 2000.  After BA officaly retires all Concorde same with Air France, most Concorde you'll see today are now in museums apart from one poor Concorde that's currently at London Heathrow. The last flight of this aircraft was flight BA002P from New York JFK, US - London Heathrow, UK since then the aircraft never flew again it was never modified. Whats the future?

My recent photo you saw at my London Heathrow blog, G-BOAB has been in storage for 10 years still has no future but the good news is that the aircraft is preserved. So what are the plan for this poor aircraft? from what I've heard it could be a display to be open to the public which I think it's a good idea kinda like G-BOAC at a viewing park in Manchester, UK. In my opinion I think this aircraft would be useful to be turned into First Class Lounge at Terminal 5 before boarding to your long haul flights bring back Heathrow's routes with a Concorde Lounge. After it was withdrawn, G-BOAB was stored at "Point Rocket" next to runway 27R however when Airbus A380 was in production, the wings are big than a Boeing 747-400 so G-BOAB needs to be relocated up to this current location. With engineering tests to storage we have to wait & see the future otherwise it's Plan B.

If you like to see G-BOAB latest update, click on Heritage Concorde

Top 6 shots for 2016

2016 has been a very awesome and interesting year something to look forward to in 2017. The reason why I'm doing it early, is because I'm now in college & I be heading to Malta next month for the New Year although I will be doing aircraft photography; however I'm not going to include Malta for next month as I think whats going to happen next year for my career. This is a very tough decision to vote my best shots for 2016 so let's have a look! 

6: Smile Captain!

Visiting Amsterdam, The Netherlands is one of Europe's popular spotting in my opinion when it comes with aircraft close to the Visiting Terrace. Visiting Amsterdam will be another request to visit in 2017 maybe in very cold temperature you might say. This TUI Airlines Netherlands PH-TFB taxing to the gate when the captain opened the window giving me a smile back in August 2016. I remember in 2014 I did a spotting video with a United Airline pilot giving me a wave somehow I've lost it. Hope next year will be interesting.

5: Lookout it's a Boeing 727!

When I was in Farnborough, UK for Farnborough International Airshow. I thought a Boeing 727 will do a normal display like the Airbus A380 did. When I heard the Boeing 727 engines in low attitude & being followed by other 4 planes, this would have been my lucky shot I took. T2 Aviation is the only airliner that still uses a Boeing 727 possibly in the United Kingdom I would suggest go to Doncaster, UK that's their hub.

4: Red Arrow Salute 

At Bournemouth Air Festival 2016 it was marked of 5 years the death of a young Red Arrow Pilot Flt Lt Jon Egging who crashed landed in Bournemouth, UK. This is the reason I include this top 5 photo is to show support of Jon's friends & family. 

3: Airbus A380 on display

I have so many photos on Airbus A380 in Farnborough, UK in the sky some turned out good & some did not because the weather keeps changing. I love the look of the flaps during take off at low attitude & something I spotted a vortex comes out the engines. Since I have no airshow visits at this time Paris, France might be my biggest request as well as Malta International Airshow I hope I'll visit Farnborough International Airshow 2018.

2: Liftoff like a bullet

This came close to number one because I have never took any photo at very took takeoff angle between the Condor Boeing 757-300 and my camera. Malta is the best locations to spot where ever you go for takeoff from Runway 13 where my photo climb and Runway 31 for landing if you want to smoke touch down. Thus photo reminds me of Thomas Cook Airlines couple of years ago when a Boeing 767-300 rotated but still on the runway.

1: Air Malta the sunset of the Maltese Islands

I never took a photo of sunsets looks like orange juice this was my favourite photo with orange sky in the background while Air Malta is taxing to park. My next challenge it the Maltese winter sunset. Air Malta 9H-AEK Airbus A320-200 arrived back home from Zurich, Switzerland I'm very proud to took this photo for an armature aircraft photographer. This was also done by a request from a good friend of mine who is a special fan of my photos grazzi hafna I hopped you've enjoyed all my photos this year. This was taken in July 2016. Before I close 2016 off my diary, I'll be doing a Christmas blog on Christmas Day.

London Heathrow, UK 1st November 2016

It's been a year I last visited London Heathrow, UK this time my aircraft photos are better than last time while I was filming a Full Flight video. Enjoy my London Heathrow blog.

Remember this area? For those new spotters who are not I will explain, This was Terminal 1 was formally opened in 1968 by HM Queen Elizabeth II. Although this wasn't the first terminal when Terminal 2 is the first terminal known as The Queen's Terminal first opened in 1955 Heathrow's original terminal. When Terminal 3 came along Heathrow decided to number the terminals till present. What's going to happen to Terminal 1? Since it's been closed down for a year, the plan for Heathrow is when the New Terminal 2 is completed, Terminal 1 is currently on demolition to make way to extended Terminal 2. The project has not started yet because Heathrow is planning to demolish Terminal 3 by 2019 for further extension for Terminal 2. Terminal 4 has no plan for demolition so that means no more Heathrow terminal number for Terminal 4 and Terminal 5? No one knows. In general I normally go at Terminal 4 everytime I arrive from Malta I love that terminal because it's smaller  once you arrive, your at immigration in 7 minutes walking then head to baggage reclaim & easy to drive out of Heathrow it's like London Gatwick South Terminal in my opinion. I've been to Terminal 1 in 2006 meeting my dad's friend from Doha. I'm planning to visit Heathrow Terminal 5 in late Winter 2017 this should be interesting. 

I remember when I landed at Heathrow last year, I'm a big fan of that giant radar that spins around every time we arrive at Heathrow by car & air. When I was a kid, I use to go mad on that radar by drawing a sketch & draw Air Malta plane right beside the radar. Since I landed at Heathrow last year, the radar was gone been replaced by a new radar tower with the concrete tower still remain "As you can see the far right end side." I think because the project for Terminal 2 extension is underway, it's hard to say if it's true that the old concrete tower might come down to demolish as well as Terminal 1 unfortunately.  

British Airways G-XLEE Airbus A380 new to British Airways in 2014 seen in Terminal 3 taken 1st November 2016.

Most of my photos are from Terminal 3. First Aircraft is British Airways Airbus A380 registered G-XLEE this was due to be flight BA209 to Miami, USA from what I saw is catering lorries then the boarding will begin. It's hard for me if I prefer Airbus A380 or Boeing 747-400 till we come the next photo I wanted before retirement.

British Airways G-CIVA Boeing 747-400 new to British Airways in 1993 seen at Terminal 3 taken 1st November 2016.

Well still no plans for retirement yet because British Airways this year refurbished their 747-400 cabin making like the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 Dreamliners when I saw it online, it looked amazing for an old 20+ year old aircrafts. According to British Airways, the upgraded 747 cabin will only be used destinations to New York JFK in USA, Chicago in USA, Dubai in UAE, Riyadh in Saudi Arabia and Toronto in Canada. Travelling on a Boeing 747-400 is one of my biggest travel request but as they got older, less these jumbo jets will be a loving memory. Interesting about this aircraft, G-CIVA was the one that have British Asia Airways livery in Landor based in Taiwan to operate between London Heathrow to Taipei via Hong Kong. The Airline was ceased in December 2001.

American Airlines N717AN Boeing 777-300ER new to American Airlines in 2012 seen in Terminal 3 taken 1st Nocember 2016.

Photos for American Airlines in my request for spotting since I saw one in Dublin, Ireland and Las Vegas, USA by seeing different types in different livery. While my recent Air Malta flight is taxing to Terminal 4, this Boeing 777-300ER waiting for push back for the flight to Miami, USA. I like the old tail with AA more than the US flag tail imaging a change to that.

Virgin Atlantic unknown registration Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner seen in Terminal 3 taken 1st November 2016.

Here we go! I've finally have Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787 Dreamliner! Virgin Atlantic currently has 13 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners & 4 are on order. According to Virgin Atlantic's future the airline will replace the Boeing 747-400 from London Gatwick and Manchester to make way for the new Airbus A350-1000 by 2019 with 12 are currently on order I'm not sure if Airbus A380 will replace Boeing 747-400 because last year Virgin Atlantic ended it's era with the Boeing 747-400 at Heathrow. Not sure 787's are also in Gatwick, Manchester and two seasonal routes in Glasgow & Belfast.Hope the future for Virgin will be interesting.

Thai Airways HS-TUA Airbus A380 new to Thai Airways in 2012 seen in Terminal 2 taken 1st November 2016.

As I have starting to get more Asian airliners I feel like I'm almost there for Full Service Airliners. From Terminal 2 Thai Airways HS-TUA Airbus A380 taxing runway 09R on flight to Bangkok, Thailand. Some Asian airliners I'm missing full service airlines are from Japan, Filipinos, India, Pakistan, North Korea, South Korea Qatar & many more I can think of. 

British Airways G-BOAB Aerospatiale/Concorde new to British Airways in 1976 seen by British Airways hanger taken 1st November 2016.

And finally we met the Super Sonic airliner again. Visiting Concorde is on my wish list visiting the exhibition whether it's in the UK, France or in the United States I want to see inside this Super Sonic jet. Silly question who flies fast? Concorde or Sonic the Hedgehog? I vote Concorde because Sonic the Hedgehog can't fly even though he can in Super Sonic form but that's cheating when it comes with transformation the real Super Sonic airliner that flies by birth. This poor G-BOAB still has no future home; Good thing is that this aircraft is still preserved I do wish this would be another Concorde lounge for Terminal 5 but this time with an aircraft first class diner. I can't remember last year I mention about this Concorde, G-BOAB did not retire in 2003 from British Airways; after the Air France Flight 4590 in 25th July 2000 while rest of Concorde was grounded, G-BOAB was withdrawn by British Airways in 15th August 2000 2 and the half weeks after Flight 4950 crash. Soon I will do a blog of the history of G-BOAB this will be interesting.

London Gatwick, UK 24th October 2016

It's been a year I last visited London Gatwick, UK so now it's time to share what I saw at Gatwick's South Terminal towards the runway. I do apologise for the lack of blogs after my Air Malta KM100 flight report as you know I've been extremely busy with my cabin crew course at college now I have the weekend doing another blog is coming right up after this. 

Pegasus TC-DCD Airbus A320 new to Pegasus in 2014 taken 24th October 2016.

Little recap - while my Air Malta flight was delayed due to recent incident, I was having my breakfast & a cup of tea so I can some aircraft views while I wait for my flight for updates. It's been two years I saw a Turkish Airliner Pegasus back in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. This TC-DCD Airbus A320-200 new to Pegasus Airlines in 2014 sitting next to Turkish Airlines as both airliners are set for departure to Istanbul, Turkey. Pegasus was travelling to Istanbul Sbiha Cokcen & Turkish Airlines to Istanbul - Ataturk. (Photo from my phone)

Air Malta 9H-AEP Airbus A320-200 new to Air Malta in 2007 taken 24th October 2016.

And of course my Air Malta flight. I'm not going to mention any details about my flight as you know, I've already done a Flight Report about it. Lucky for me when I looked at the flight information it's at gate 5, this is one of the new piers I never went before because for low cost airliners and BA I normally go at North Terminal. The new pier reminds me of North Terminal. I think in my opinion my flight was parked there by the runway due to long delay in Malta it's by the runway & avoiding long delays to park at the gate. Now I have an upcoming Air Malta flight next month either Full Flight video or another report.

Norwegian Air Shuttle EI-FHC Boeing 737-800 new to Norwegian Air Shuttle in 2009 ex LN-NOL taken 24th October 2016.

During the final cabin check on my flight, I came across this lucky tail on Norwegian Air Shuttle. The tail as you can see marks from Boeing a 6000th Boeing 737 they ever built I'm not sure if it's for Next Generation or just in general all 737's. I do wish Norwegian Air Shuttle should make t he fuselage special for this 6000th Boeing 737 aircraft not just the tail like EasyJet special livery on the fuselage continue across to the tail.

EasyJte G-EZWF new to EasyJet in 2012 taken 24th October 2016. 

Speaking of EasyJet, I manage to get a decent one before it changes terminals. Even though I be in London Gatwick next month, I see if I can get some last shots depending where some EasyJet aircraft parks. If you don't know already, some EasyJet flights in South Terminal will be moving to North Terminal on 24th January 2017 "Day after my birthday on 23rd."I think North Terminal seems to having it's new home for low cost airliners & charter airliners while some Full Service airlines like Virgin Atlantic (moving to North Terminal) and Emirates for example are in North stuck with low-cost airliners. 

Even for British Airways moving from North to South Terminal.

British Airways G-YMMF Boeing 777-200ER new to British Airways 200 taken 24th October 2016.

As we countdown to British Airways' new home could this be BA's final parking area at North Terminal? If you don't know BA's fleet in Gatwick they are primary used for Airbus A319's A320's and Boeing 777's while London Heathrow is uses Airbus A320 family, Airbus A380, Boeing 747-400, Boeing 767-300ER, Boeing 777's and Boeing 787's.

Ryanair EI-DAC new to Ryanair in 2002 taken 24th October 2016.

And finally we have Ryanair. Although Ryanair operates almost every UK airports including London airports, Ryanair doesn't have many flights in Gatwick compare to London Stansted and London Luton for example while non-London airports like Bournemouth, Bristol, East Midlands, Manchester and two Glasgow airports operates more routes including Cardiff and Newquay Ryanair expanding their destinations while London Heathrow for Ryanair is the only one left out. With Ryanair's destinations in London Gatwick they only operate couple international flights two in Spain to Alicante & Seville and few Irish airports in Republic of Ireland to Cork, Dublin and Shannon while Belfast is Ryanair's only UK domestic flight.

My flight report Air Malta KM100 Malta - London Heathrow, UK 1st November 2016

Airline: Air Malta
Codeshare: Ethiad Airways
Flight: KM100
Type: Airbus A320-200
Registration: 9H-AEI
Flight of origin: Malta
Destination: London Heathrow, UK Terminal 4
Flight time: 3 hours

As I arrived at Malta International Airport at 5am, I've checked-in and relax for a bit until a special fan from Air Malta cabin crew back on KM117 & spotting request arrived at the airport on a different flight for another hello and our goodbyes by the departure gate. After I went through security waiting for goodbye with a good friend of mine I notice on the flight information my flight was delayed...again. I thought to myself if it's a technical fault however it wasn't Air Malta's fault. The main reason why it was delayed, it's because there was fog around London area with ATC restrictions so I have to wait almost 3 hours. While I sat at the gate I was talking to a American passenger thinking he might miss his flight to San Francisco, USA I hopped he made it in-time. Something bothers me because Air Malta KM116 was boarding for London Gatwick, UK and there was Ryanair flight to London Luton, UK was boarding that leaved my flight out which is strange. 

And there it is 9H-AEI Airbus A320-200! When I arrived from security "I wonder if that was my flight." This year makes it my second flight in special colours are you know I been on KLM Cityhopper in Skyteam livery & now my recent Air Malta flight. I have a full story of 9H-AEI blog in history you can also check it out. Even though I was waiting for the delay, I couldn't stop looking at it think it might be my flight. As I see no Air Malta planes around apart from one not in use while the others are at Park 8. When I saw my friend's plane taking off "No photo sorry" I went through passport control & waited bored I want to sleep. 

"I was right!" When I was boarding it was the retro jet after all in beautiful red, purple colours with the small Air Malta cross I felt I was in love with it! When I was boarding, the PTU keeps going which is normal I never been onboard Airbus PTU for longer than 5 minutes I wanted to film how long it lasts I do have a video on Facebook. I was a bit of an idiot because my seat was 14A that means I should have boarded the front instead the back but because I wanted a selfie of me with the tail I just need a photo of me. The cabin crew during boarding was nice saying to me Bongu in Maltese then I headed to my seat.

During taxing I departed runway 13 via Victor, Uniform, Tango and Foxtrot runway 13 normally it's X-ray and Whisky but it was closed due to refurbishment on the taxiway. During takeoff I was cleared for takeoff from position Foxtrot at a very decent weather with bit calm winds. After takeoff Air Malta use to have self announcement instead of using a cabin crew about safety & comfort and in flight service that happened on my last year Air Malta flight even though they still have self announcement to welcome us, prepare for landing and arrived at our destination. It didn't bother me anyway although I do think it's cheating because to me, it should be done by cabin crew not machine in my opinion. 

The cabin looks like normal typical Air Malta although I do wish since this is a retro livery, Air Malta should have change the look of the cabin making it retro with exclusive flight entertainment. With the safety card I also with Air Malta should re-design the card changing back to the old style exclusive for that plane. The cabin crew are polite but not as polite when I had snack and buying something to eat. During the flight I was a sleep.

As you aspect on all Air Malta flights, you get a roll and bottle of water it looks like a ham sandwich with cheese I'm really not keen on cheese because in general. I have taken few bites, it wasn't bad although before I was heading to London I felt sick because I was spotting in bad weather conditions in Malta I always wanted to do and I almost lost my voice with a bad cough so I have eaten half of the roll and drunken a lot of water because of my dry throat and lips being unwell lucky my mum bought gallon of water at the airport.

After I had my roll, I decided to try & sleep again until I was hungry again to I spoil myself to get another snack & get rid some lose change, although my complaint they don't use debit cards compare almost some European airliners uses cards with their iPad (only seen one in Flybe) & card readers etc I was gonna use my debit card till I read "Cash only"

So I decided to be a little piggy and have crisps for €4 overall price. "Oh €4 Euros is a rip off for light snacks!" Yes true if you think of that but at the end of the day, you need to eat that comes out your wallet & by plenty of water for dehydration for short & medium haul flights. When I was travelling to Southampton, UK from Amsterdam, The Netherlands my friend paid £9 just for few packs of sweets, water and 7Up if you skipped breakfast you're body will feel weaker & feel dehydrated as you're onboard the plane & I was one of them on my recent Air Malta flight due to time for check-in, passport control & wait at the gate.

And so at 12:20pm (UK time) I arrived at London Heathrow Terminal 4; landing in bit of fog with low visibility I think the captain made a great landing it was smooth until the brakes was a bit hard only to make way for another aircraft to land which is not a problem. So I left Malta at 10:50am making it 3 hours late it's not the airlines fault, these things happen but passengers don't see that seriously thinking "Oh delayed because of weather while other airlines still travel to London never travel Air Malta!" That is heart breaking if I work for Air Malta. I think I heard something like that by one angry passenger during check-in at London Gatwick last week "Ridiculous airline" when there was a plane crash closing the airport. They don't understand that safety is one important thing not just Air Malta, also includes all airliners even my self as a cabin crew student I'm doing my training. 

My overall score from Aircraft Aviation in Europe:

• Cabin - 10/10
• Hygienic - 10/10
• Food - 9.9/10
• Cabin Crew - 9/10
• Service - 9.9/10

Overall: 9.9/10

On behalf of Aircraft Aviation in Europe, I like to thank Air Malta for my pleasure flight I will be travelling back again in the near future keep it up! Sahha u Grazzi for now. 

News: I am not going to do another Air Malta trip report between London Gatwick or London Heathrow to Malta over & over again. What I'm going to do is another report on Air Malta to different destinations. The only time I'm going to do another Air Malta report from London to Malta is Business Class only (once) that will be my big request.