A former British Airways Boeing 747 top deck, converted into a flight simulator experience in Manchester, has been put on the market for £440,000. The simulator, known as The Deck, is located at Barton Aerodrome and offers visitors the chance to practice take-offs and landings at airports worldwide using realistic screens.
The listing, advertised by Knightsbridge Business Sales Limited, describes the simulator as a genuine ex-British Airways 747 top deck that has been converted to offer flight simulation packages and event hosting. The business reportedly has around 1,800 annual bookings and a five-star Tripadvisor rating, along with approximately 30,000 social media followers across TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram.
The aircraft first flew in 1998 and originally had 14 first class, 86 business class, 30 premium economy, and 145 economy seats. In 2009, the crew experienced a low-altitude stall in South Africa but stabilised the plane and made an emergency landing. The plane was retired in March 2020 and stored in Cardiff before being moved to Cotswold Airport for scrapping. The top deck was saved and transported to its current home in Barton in August 2022.
The Deck features a 180-degree simulator display wrapped around the front of the aircraft, giving visitors a pilot's view. The business class cabin retains original fixtures, including safety cards and in-flight menus. The venue also offers cockpit workshops, on-board tours, fear-of-flying sessions with a former British Airways 747 captain, and is a licensed venue for weddings and events.
