PEACE AND QUIET COMES TO AN END FOR COMPLIANCE OFFICERS TRAVELING LONG HAUL FROM THE UK

It's the end of an era, unfortunately. British Airways has announced that it has retired its entire fleet of  thirty-one Boeing B747 airliners early, due to reduced passenger demand bcause of the COVID-19 pandemic. The jumbo jets were previously to be kept in the BA fleet unti 2024.

This is a sad day for compliance officers who travel long distances to see clients, or attend conferences, for the Upper Deck of the 747 was a refuge from the noise and distractions of international air travel. It was reserved for Business Class, and there's weren't many seats. The steep, narrow stairway leading up there insured that crying babies, intoxicated tourists on budget holidays, and other noisemakers would not make it up there, leaving those privileged to have a seat upstairs peace and quiet to work, or simply rest, before arriving on the other side of the Pond or in Asia.

I have found that the Business Class seats in the B777, which are on the same level as everything else, suffer at times from the noise and chaos which affects the rest of the aircraft. I for one am sad to see the 747 depart from British Airways' stable.