Virgin Atlantic Airways (London) has tentatively scheduled the last Boeing 747-400 revenue flight for Heathrow Airport with an arrival on April 18, 2016 in London. According to Airline Route, the last planned flight is currently flight VS 006 departing Miami at 9:50 pm (2150) on April 17, 2016 and arriving the next day (April 18) at London (Heathrow) at 11:30 am (1130).
Virgin Atlantic has operated the Boeing Jumbo since its inception on June 22, 1984. The pictured ex-Aerolineas Argentinas Boeing 747-287B G-VIRG (msn 21189) (above), named “Maiden Voyager”, operated the first Virgin Atlantic flight between London (Gatwick) and Newark.
Top Copyright Photo: Richard Vandervord/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 747-287B G-VIRG (msn 21189) holds short of the runway, ready for departure from Gatwick Airport. Click on the photo for the large view (note the humorous painted-on painter falling off the tail and dropping red paint on the fuselage).
Virgin Atlantic aircraft slide show: 
Bottom Copyright Photo: SPA/AirlinersGallery.com. Virgin Atlantic added the first Boeing 747-400 on April 28, 1994 with the arrival of Boeing 747-4Q8 G-VFAB (msn 24958) “Lady Penelope”. Sister ship Boeing 747-4Q89 G-VBIG (msn 26255) arrives at London (Heathrow).
VA plan to continue 747 operations from Gatwick, Manchester, and Glasgow after April 2016. See: airlineroute
Only the LHR fleet. LGW fleet remains active until around 2020.
My understanding is that it is only the last 747 flight from Heathrow, but that 747 service will continue from other British cities for a while longer at least?
It’s important to remember this is only Heathrow flights, the Gatwick fleet will soldier on for some time. Some thought exists that the newer Heathrow aircraft like G-VROC & G-VBIG will replace some of the older Gatwick ladies. Virgin is still to decide on what will replace the Gatwick fleet, but I’m betting on A350-1000’s, as much as a way to get out of the A380 contract and longer term, something needs to replace the A346’s at Heathrow. 787-9’s alone won’t cut it long term.
Yes, that is correct. I should have made that more clear. Thank you all.
Bruce