Jet2 retires world’s oldest Boeing 737-800 after 29 years

Jet2 has retired a 29-year-old Boeing 737-800, ending the flying career of the oldest aircraft of its type still in service worldwide.

Registered G-GDFD, the aircraft completed its final commercial flight on 18 October, operating flight LS644 from Ibiza to East Midlands Airport.  It was flown to Manchester the same day for de-branding and work ahead of its return to the lessor. 

Future of 29-year-old Boeing 737-800 unclear

Jet2 has not confirmed whether the aircraft will fly again, be preserved or be dismantled.

The aircraft, manufacturer serial number 27982, first flew on 15 August 1997. According to Airliner World, the airframe was only the second 737-800 prototype and the eighth aircraft built for Boeing’s Next Generation programme. 

It is now the oldest surviving example of the 737NG family, after the seven aircraft built before it were scrapped.

Initially registered N35030, the twinjet was used in Boeing’s flight-test programme before entering commercial service with German carrier Hapag-Lloyd in December 1998 as D-AHFB, according to PlaneSpotters.net. 

It subsequently operated for Hapagfly from 2005 to 2007 and TUIfly from 2007 – where it was painted in “VolksWagen Sharan” special colours – before joining Jet2 in April 2011.

Airframe accrued more than 80,000 flight hours

The airframe spent the final 15 years of its airline career with the British leisure airline, where it was painted with the white and blue sun livery promoting Jet2holidays. 

The aircraft accumulated more than 80,000 flight hours.

Its retirement comes as the leisure airline introduces Airbus A321neos as part of the renewal of its Boeing 737 fleet.

Over the summer, Jet2 took delivery of its 30th Airbus A321neo aircraft as part of Jet2’s firm order for 155 brand-new Airbus A321neo aircraft. 

Jet2 took delivery of its first-ever Airbus aircraft, an Airbus A321neo registered G-SUNB, in March 2023. 

The airline is also completing a multi-million pound Split Scimitar Winglet retrofit programme across 74 Boeing 737-800NG aircraft and applying lightweight paint to over 80 aircraft.

Another Airbus retirement … of the A340-600

The departure of G-GDFD is one of two notable fleet retirements this month. 

Lufthansa operated its final scheduled Airbus A340-600 service last week, ending 23 years of flying the four-engined type.

Flight LH419 from Washington Dulles landed in Frankfurt after an eight-hour journey, with 267 passengers on board the aircraft, registered D-AIHW.

Lufthansa operated 24 A340-600s over the years. The 75.3m-long aircraft was the world’s longest passenger airliner when it entered service, and carried more than 40 million passengers for the German group, according to the airline.

Its retirement forms part of Lufthansa’s wider fleet renewal, with newer aircraft including the Airbus A350-1000 and Boeing 787 and 777-9 expected to replace older types. 

By 2028, Lufthansa expects next-generation aircraft to account for 70% of its long-haul fleet.