British Airways Removes Seats from Two Boeing 777-200s

British Airways has removed the seats and stripped the interiors of two of its grounded Boeing 777-200 fleet so the aircraft can operate as freighters and carry more crucial cargo around the world.

The aircraft will be used to carry PPE for the NHS as well as essential goods like food and medicine, and regular commercial shipments.

The airline began operating cargo-only services with no passengers in March, carrying cargo solely in the hold. In April, British Airways started carrying cargo on its seats, and these latest changes – removing all passenger seats and stripping the interiors – mean that the aircraft now have space for an extra 100m³ of cargo on each flight.

John Cheetham, Chief Commercial Officer at IAG Cargo, said, “During this time, we’ve worked with our customers to provide solutions that keep vital goods moving around the world. Solutions that include the opportunity to charter our planes. Together with British Airways, we’ve been pleased to boost the cargo capacity of these aircraft, supporting our customers, including the NHS, to transport more critical supplies. With their seats removed these 777s now have an additional 100m³ of space available for essential cargo.”

British Airways, and sister company IAG Cargo, have already operated more than 80 cargo charter flights carrying tonnes of PPE and ventilators for the NHS, in partnership with the UK government. This is alongside the airline’s continued repatriation effort of UK residents, and keeping other routes open for essential travel.

The two aircraft that have had their seats removed are G-YMMK and G-YMMG.

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