An iconic British Airways B747 jet "Negus" which was retired due to the pandemic was then bought for £1 and now converted into a posh 'party plane' which is soon available to tour and hire.
The BA Negus B747-400 G-CIVB was removed from British Airways' fleet in 2020. It flew in from London Heathrow into Cotswold Airport as her final resting place on 8th October 2020.
Preservation of the Negus 747
Cotswold Airport spent £500,000 converting the huge jet into an events space where people can host their weddings, product launches and work functions.
Rough costs break down according to CEO Suzannah Harvey:
- £200k new pad
- £80K to completely rewire her
- £60k new HVAC unit
- £30k airstairs
- £150k Chauvet light system and L’Acuostics sound system and interior refit.
The company has preserved the majority of the plane as a museum piece and will host tours for members of the public as well as educational visits for local schools.
Cotswold Airport CEO Suzannah Harvey said: "I paid a pound for her, and we have a certain obligation to maintain it as is practical for public use."
Most of the original structure has stayed the same but the transformation has included stripping out the economy section to create the events space and turning the galley has been changed into a bar. A full rewiring with custom lighting has also been done.
'We've had such tremendous support from everybody. All the contractors, all the people that have volunteered who are current BA 747 engineers - and here we are finally. She's ready and she's good to go.'
Cotswold Airport CEO Suzannah Harvey
Available for Tour and Hire
Party planners and those looking for a unique place to host an event can now hire the jet, with rates starting at £1,000 per hour. As well as hosting private events, the jet will open to the public for educational tours in March.
Any proceeds raised from public visits will go towards the jet’s preservation and excess funds are set to go into a scholarship that Cotswold Airport plans to operate.
"We are launching an app soon, where people can book a slot to come and visit her. Her whole journey is documented on her own Instagram account @negus747.”
Cotswold Airport CEO Suzannah Harvey
Video
I visited Negus B747 at Cotswold Airport in December 2020 and interviewed Suzannah Harvey in the video below.
All images provided by Suzannah Harvey, Cotswold Airport