Pursuits

British Airways Just Can’t Kick its 747 Habit

Photographer: Matthew Lloyd/Bloomberg
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If it’s the end of the line for Boeing Co.’s 747 jetliner, nobody told British Airways.

The largest operator of the hump-backed icon -- dubbed the Queen of the Skies on its debut in 1970 -- is plumping up seat cushions, hanging fresh curtains and upgrading entertainment systems on 18 planes. Yet competitors can’t seem to park the four-engine aircraft fast enough.