BA test flight
A British Airways Boeing 747 has tonight completed a 2 hour 46 minute flight.
The aircraft took off from Heathrow at 17.55 and climbed to 40000 feet flying 550 miles due west of Cardiff.
Initially it ascended to 10000 feet, then increased altitude in stages of 5000 feet, remaining for five minutes at each level before reaching 40000 feet.
The aircraft stayed at 40000 feet for an hour. Returning east, it descended across Ireland from 19000 to 15000 feet, landing at Cardiff at 20.41.
The conditions were perfect and the aircraft encountered no difficulties. It will now undergo a full technical analysis at British Airways' engineering base at Cardiff.
The aircraft was piloted by Captain Ian Pringle and Captain Stephen Hawkins. Also on board were the company's chief executive, Willie Walsh, the director of flight operations, Stephen Riley, and the general manager of engineering, Robert Crew.