British Airways will retire its entire fleet of Boeing 747 aircraft in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

As the flag-carrier seeks to shrink in size to meet falling demand for travel, all 31 planes are expected to leave the fleet in the coming months.

BA is currently the largest operator of the aircraft type in the world.

The airline had planned to retire the 747 by 2024, but the process has been accelerated.

Alex Cruz, British Airways chief executive, said: “This is not how we wanted or expected to have to say goodbye to our incredible fleet of 747 aircraft.

“It is a heart-breaking decision to have to make.

“So many people, including many thousands of our colleagues past and present, have spent countless hours on and with these wonderful planes – they have been at the centre of so many memories, including my very first long-haul flight.

“They will always hold a special place in our hearts at British Airways.”