14/06/2026
Our first-class section of the de Havilland Aircraft Museum’s Comet 1a jetliner was an ideal location for Babs Warriner and John Pratelli to look back on their combined nine decades of flying. In careers that spanned turboprops, Tridents, TriStars and trans-Atlantic Concordes, love, as well as aeroplanes, was also ‘in the air’.
As a 20-year-old, Babs already had experience of both ground and air hostessing with Danair and joined BEA almost by chance. While sitting in their carpark waiting for a friend, she was assumed to be ‘the next interviewee’. Sensing her potential as a BEA stewardess, she was invited to have the interview. Three weeks later, her offer letter arrived.
After six weeks training, Babs began her 34-year career with BEA (and later British airways) flying on de Havilland Comets on the Athens-Tel Aviv route.
She retired in 1998 as Fleet Director on Concordes. Although latterly in various management roles, Babs was always flying, her experience and expertise proving invaluable to senior management, colleagues and passengers.
One of her strongest memories was practising her curtsy when the Queen flew on Concorde; the aircraft taxied to the precise spot for the waiting red carpet.
Meanwhile, John’s flying quickly progressed from gliding to flying de Havilland Tridents, mainly on European routes. Remarkably, he flew both Tridents on display at the Museum and is keen to board them again when they are reopened.
Following his retirement from BA in 2001, he flew private jets for the next 15 years. He continues to fly a CFM Star Streak Shadow today. Aviation remains in their blood, as both are active members of the Cabin Crew Fund charity
We want to extend our thanks to both Babs and John for their time with us at the museum.
