Jet2’s Final Boeing 757 Finds New Life as an Aviationtag
Jet2’s Boeing 757-200 (registration G-LSAI) in its classic silver livery on approach. After 37 years of service, this aircraft has taken on a new life as an Aviationtag collectible, allowing enthusiasts to own a piece of the iconic jet. G-LSAI was Jet2’s last 757 and even operated the final UK passenger flight of the 757 in January 2025. Now, thanks to upcycling, the plane’s legacy lives on in a very tangible way
A 37-Year Journey
From China Southern to Jet2
This Boeing 757-21B airframe began its life in China. It was delivered to the state carrier CAAC in late 1987 and in 1988 was flying for the newly-formed China Southern Airlines under the registration B-2803. For nearly two decades, the jet carried passengers across Asia as part of China Southern’s fleet.
In late 2006, the venerable 757 was acquired by British leisure airline Jet2, receiving the new registration G-LSAI. Thus began almost another 20 years of service, now shuttling holidaymakers from the UK to sunny destinations in Europe and beyond.
G-LSAI quickly became a workhorse for Jet2. Configured with 235 seats, it primarily operated high-demand routes to vacation spots such as Alicante, Lanzarote, and Antalya. By the 2020s, G-LSAI had earned distinction as one of the oldest passenger airliners still in active service – by 2024 it was 37.3 years old, ranking among the world’s most senior operational aircraft.
A Resilient Jet:
Overcoming a 2017 Landing Incident
During its Jet2 tenure, G-LSAI also demonstrated remarkable resilience. On April 10, 2017, while landing at Alicante, the aircraft bounced on touchdown and experienced a tail strike on the runway. The incident resulted in some substantial damage to the 757’s airframe. Fortunately, no passengers or crew were injured, and Jet2’s maintenance team worked swiftly to repair the aircraft. In a testament to its sturdy design and Jet2’s commitment to safety, G-LSAI was back in service by late May 2017 – just weeks after the incident. The aircraft continued flying reliably for several more years, a true credit to the professionalism of the airline’s crew and the durability of the 757.
By late 2021, Jet2 had begun phasing out its Boeing 757s, and G-LSAI finished out its last busy summer in 2024. On January 5, 2025, the nearly 38-year-old jet operated Jet2’s final scheduled 757 flight (from Manchester to Geneva), marking the end of an era for the 757 in UK passenger service. Shortly after, the aircraft was officially withdrawn from use on January 5 and ferried to St. Athan in Wales for retirement. There, in early 2025, the airframe met its fate on the ground – dismantled in March 2025 after an illustrious flying career.
Behind the Scenes
From Jet2 Legend to Aviationtag
We follow G-LSAI from final flight to Aviationtag transformation. Featuring exclusive footage from Jet2, Plane Reclaimers and the Aviationtag workshop.
At the time of its retirement, the numbers behind G-LSAI’s career were nothing short of impressive. According to Jet2’s records, the aircraft had accumulated 40,310 flight cycles (takeoffs and landings) and 80,106 flight hours over its lifetime. To put that in perspective, that equates to over nine years of continuous time in the air! Such statistics speak to the incredible service
this jet provided since 1987.
Yet, the story doesn’t end with the teardown. Rather than being lost to history, G-LSAI is being reborn as an official Aviationtag edition. Jet2 partnered with upcycling specialist Aviationtag to preserve pieces of this aircraft for aviation enthusiasts. The aluminum skin from the 757 has been salvaged and crafted into collectible aviation tags – each one a small rectangle of the original fuselage that can be kept as a memento.
A New Life as an Aviationtag
Retirement of a Legend
Importantly, prior to disassembly the aircraft’s exterior was fully repainted, covering over any logos or markings. This means the tags will exclusively feature the aircraft’s iconic Jet2 base color – that eye-catching metallic grey-silver that Jet2’s fleet is known for.
While the repaint was done to prepare the jet for scrapping, it comes as a silver lining (quite literally) for collectors: every Aviationtag from G-LSAI showcases the sleek silver fuselage skin in all its glory.
The finish is clean, elegant, and instantly recognizable as a piece of Jet2’s livery, making this edition especially distinctive for fans.
Jet2’s 757 G-LSAI carried millions of passengers across Europe. Maybe you were one of them?
💬 Tell us in the comments: Did you ever fly on this aircraft – and where to?
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