An old British Airways jet that was retired due to the swine flu was bought and converted into a party plane.
British Airways removed the Negus B747-400 G-CIVB from their fleet in 2020. Her final resting place was the Cotswolds Airport on October 8, 2020.
Preservation of the Negus 747
The jet was converted into an events space where people can host weddings, product launches and work functions.
According to CEO Suzannah Harvey, rough costs break down.
- £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.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Suzannah Harvey (@suziejet)
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.
I paid a pound for her, and we have a certain obligation to maintain it as is practical for public use.
The economy section has been removed and the galley has been turned into a bar as part of the transformation of the structure. A full rewiring 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.'
Cotswolds Airport CEO Suzannah Harvey
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Negus (@negus747)
Available for Tour and Hire
Party planners can now hire the jet for an hourly rate of over one thousand dollars per hour. The jet will be open to the public for educational tours in March.
The jet's preservation and excess funds are set to go into a scholarship that Cotswolds 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.”
Cotswolds Airport CEO Suzannah Harvey
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Negus (@negus747)
Video
In December 2020, I visited Negus B747 at the airport and interviewed Suzannah Harvey.
The images are provided by Suzannah Harvey.
