British Airways
British Airways is the flag carrier of the United Kingdom and one of the country's largest airlines. It operates domestic and international passenger services from its principal hub at London Heathrow Airport.[1]
The airline is owned by International Airlines Group, commonly known as IAG. British Airways was one of the founding members of the Oneworld airline alliance.[2][3]
British Airways uses the IATA code BA, the ICAO code BAW, and the callsign SPEEDBIRD.[4]
The present airline was formed in 1974 through the merger of the British Overseas Airways Corporation, British European Airways, Cambrian Airways and Northeast Airlines. Its wider ancestry includes several airlines involved in the earliest years of British commercial aviation.[5]
British Airways has operated several historically significant aircraft, including Concorde, the Boeing 747 and the Airbus A380. Its current fleet includes Airbus and Boeing narrow-body and wide-body aircraft.[6]
History
Early British commercial aviation
British Airways traces its heritage to the earliest scheduled airline services in the United Kingdom.
On 25 August 1919, Aircraft Transport and Travel operated a scheduled international passenger service between Hounslow Heath Aerodrome near London and Paris Le Bourget Airport.
The service used a modified de Havilland aircraft and is commonly regarded as one of the first regular international passenger flights.
Several British airlines were established during the following years, including:
Aircraft Transport and Travel
Handley Page Transport
Instone Air Line
Daimler Airway
British Marine Air Navigation
These companies operated passenger and mail services between Britain and destinations in continental Europe.
Imperial Airways
Four early British airlines were combined in 1924 to form Imperial Airways.
The airline was created to develop air connections between the United Kingdom and territories across the British Empire.
Imperial Airways operated routes to destinations in:
Europe
Africa
The Middle East
India
Southeast Asia
Australia
Early long-distance journeys required numerous intermediate stops and could take several days.
Aircraft operated by Imperial Airways included:
Handley Page W8
Handley Page H.P.42
Short Empire flying boat
Armstrong Whitworth Atalanta
de Havilland Hercules
Flying boats were particularly important because they could operate to destinations without developed land airports.
British Airways Limited
A separate airline named British Airways Limited was formed during the 1930s through the combination of several independent operators.
It operated European services and routes to destinations in Scandinavia.
British Airways Limited competed with Imperial Airways on some routes before the two companies were brought together.
British Overseas Airways Corporation
Imperial Airways and British Airways Limited were merged in 1939 to form the British Overseas Airways Corporation, commonly known as BOAC.
BOAC became the government-owned British airline responsible for most long-distance international services.
Its early operations were heavily affected by the Second World War. Aircraft and crews were used to carry military personnel, government officials, mail and essential cargo.
BOAC operated flying boats and land-based aircraft across routes connecting Britain with North America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
Wartime services
During the Second World War, BOAC operated several strategically important routes.
Some flights connected the United Kingdom with neutral countries, while others maintained communications across the British Commonwealth.
The airline used aircraft including:
Boeing 314 flying boat
Consolidated Liberator
Short Sunderland
Lockheed Hudson
Douglas DC-3
Civilian flights were operated under difficult conditions involving restricted airspace, limited navigation aids and the risk of military attack.
Post-war BOAC
BOAC rebuilt and expanded its network after the war.
Aircraft introduced during the late 1940s and 1950s included:
Avro Lancastrian
Avro York
Lockheed Constellation
Boeing 377 Stratocruiser
Canadair Argonaut
de Havilland Comet
The airline developed services across the Atlantic and to destinations in Africa, Asia and Australia.
British European Airways
British European Airways, commonly known as BEA, was established in 1946.
BEA was responsible for most domestic and European services operated by the British state-owned airline system.
Its network connected London with cities across the United Kingdom and continental Europe.
Aircraft operated by BEA included:
Douglas DC-3
Vickers Viking
Airspeed Ambassador
Vickers Viscount
Vickers Vanguard
Hawker Siddeley Trident
BAC One-Eleven
BEA became closely associated with the development of short-haul European air travel.
De Havilland Comet
BOAC introduced the de Havilland Comet in 1952.
The Comet was the world's first commercial jet airliner to enter scheduled passenger service.
Its introduction allowed BOAC to offer faster and smoother journeys than those provided by piston-powered aircraft.
A series of accidents led to the temporary grounding and redesign of the type. BOAC later operated improved versions, including the Comet 4.
The Comet 4 helped establish regular jet services across the Atlantic.
Boeing 707 and VC10
BOAC introduced the Boeing 707 during the 1960s.
The aircraft became an important part of the airline's long-haul fleet and supported expansion across the Atlantic and to other international markets.
BOAC also operated the British-built Vickers VC10.
The VC10 was designed to provide strong performance from hot, high-altitude airports and shorter runways. It was particularly suited to parts of BOAC's African and Asian network.
Formation of the British Airways Board
The British government created the British Airways Board in 1972 to oversee BOAC and BEA.
The board also controlled the regional airlines Cambrian Airways and Northeast Airlines.
Although the airlines initially retained separate identities, their operations were gradually brought together.
Creation of British Airways
British Airways was formally established on 31 March 1974.
The new airline combined:
British Overseas Airways Corporation
British European Airways
Cambrian Airways
Northeast Airlines
The merger created a single national airline operating domestic, European and intercontinental services.
British Airways initially inherited a diverse fleet containing aircraft from each predecessor company.
Concorde
British Airways introduced the Aérospatiale–BAC Concorde into commercial service on 21 January 1976.
The airline's first scheduled Concorde route connected London Heathrow with Bahrain.
Services to Washington Dulles began later in 1976. Regular flights between London and New York began in November 1977.
Concorde could cruise at more than twice the speed of sound and typically completed the journey between London and New York in around three and a half hours.
British Airways and Air France were the only airlines to operate Concorde in regular commercial passenger service.
British Airways operated seven production Concorde aircraft.
The airline ended Concorde operations in October 2003 because of increasing maintenance costs, reduced demand and the wider consequences of the crash of Air France Flight 4590.[7]
Boeing 747
British Airways and its BOAC predecessor became major operators of the Boeing 747.
BOAC introduced the Boeing 747-100 in 1971.
British Airways later operated several variants, including:
Boeing 747-100
Boeing 747-200
Boeing 747-400
The Boeing 747-400 became one of the most recognisable aircraft in the airline's fleet.
At its peak, British Airways operated more Boeing 747-400 aircraft than any other airline.
The type was used on major long-haul services from Heathrow and Gatwick.
British Airways retired its remaining Boeing 747 aircraft in 2020 after the COVID-19 pandemic caused a sharp reduction in long-haul demand.
Lockheed TriStar
British Airways operated the Lockheed L-1011 TriStar on medium- and long-haul routes.
The aircraft was inherited partly through the airline's predecessor operations and became important on services to destinations in Europe, the Middle East and North America.
The TriStar remained in service until the 1990s.
Privatisation
The British government prepared British Airways for privatisation during the 1980s.
The airline underwent substantial restructuring under chairman John King and chief executive Colin Marshall.
Changes included:
Reducing employment
Withdrawing unprofitable routes
Selling non-core assets
Improving customer service
Modernising the fleet
Repositioning the brand
British Airways was privatised in February 1987 through a public share offering.
British Caledonian acquisition
British Airways acquired British Caledonian Airways in 1987.
British Caledonian had been the United Kingdom's principal independent long-haul airline.
The acquisition added:
Routes
Airport slots
Aircraft
Employees
Gatwick operations
Traffic rights
Aircraft inherited through the transaction included Airbus A310 and McDonnell Douglas DC-10 equipment.
The acquisition strengthened British Airways at London Gatwick and expanded its international network.
The World's Favourite Airline
During the 1980s and 1990s, British Airways used the advertising slogan The World's Favourite Airline.
The campaign was supported by the airline's international reach and passenger numbers.
Advertising developed during this period became closely associated with British Airways' global brand.
Landor livery
British Airways introduced a new corporate identity designed by Landor Associates in 1984.
The livery used a dark blue underside, pearl-grey upper fuselage and a red Speedwing symbol.
The British Airways coat of arms was displayed near the front of the aircraft.
This design became known as the Landor livery.
World Images liveries
British Airways introduced the World Images tailfin designs in 1997.
The programme replaced a single standard tail design with numerous artistic patterns inspired by cultures around the world.
The project was intended to reflect the airline's international network.
The liveries received a mixed response, and British Airways later adopted a single Union Flag-inspired design across the fleet.
Chatham Dockyard livery
The airline's current tail design is based on a stylised Union Flag.
It was originally created for British Airways' Concorde aircraft and is known as the Chatham Dockyard design.
The design later became the standard identity across the fleet.
Oneworld
British Airways was one of the founding members of the Oneworld airline alliance.
The alliance was announced by:
American Airlines
British Airways
Canadian Airlines
Cathay Pacific
Qantas
Oneworld began operating in 1999.
Membership allows participating airlines to coordinate connecting journeys, frequent-flyer benefits and airport services.[3]
Go
British Airways launched a lower-cost airline named Go in 1998.
Go operated from London Stansted Airport using Boeing 737 aircraft.
The airline was created to compete with growing European low-cost carriers.
British Airways sold Go to private investors in 2001. It was subsequently acquired by easyJet and integrated into that airline.
Franchise and regional operations
British Airways previously used several franchise and regional operators.
Airlines that operated flights under British Airways branding included:
British Regional Airlines
Brymon Airways
GB Airways
Loganair
Sun-Air of Scandinavia
Comair
Maersk Air
Some franchise partners used British Airways flight numbers, branding and uniforms while operating under their own air operator certificates.
British Airways CitiExpress
British Airways combined several regional operations under the British Airways CitiExpress name.
The business operated domestic and European services using turboprop and regional jet aircraft.
CitiExpress was later reorganised and renamed BA Connect.
Sale of BA Connect
British Airways sold most of BA Connect to Flybe in 2007.
The transaction transferred routes, aircraft and employees to Flybe.
British Airways retained the operation at London City Airport, which became BA Cityflyer.
BA Cityflyer
BA Cityflyer is a wholly owned British Airways subsidiary based at London City Airport.
It operates Embraer regional jets on business and leisure routes across the United Kingdom and Europe.
The aircraft use British Airways branding, and flights are sold through British Airways.
BA Cityflyer also operates selected seasonal services from regional UK airports.
OpenSkies
British Airways established OpenSkies in 2008.
The airline operated premium-focused services between continental Europe and the United States.
OpenSkies initially used Boeing 757 aircraft and later operated Boeing 767 aircraft.
Its network was eventually concentrated on services between Paris and New York.
OpenSkies ceased operations in 2020.
London Heathrow Terminal 5
British Airways became the principal airline at Heathrow Terminal 5, which opened in March 2008.
The terminal was designed to consolidate much of the airline's Heathrow operation.
Its opening experienced significant disruption involving baggage systems, staffing and flight cancellations.
Operations stabilised after the initial difficulties, and Terminal 5 became the centre of British Airways' Heathrow network.
Merger with Iberia
British Airways and Iberia announced plans to combine their businesses in 2009.
The merger was completed in January 2011 through the creation of International Airlines Group.[2]
British Airways and Iberia retained their individual:
Brands
Operating certificates
Employees
Networks
National identities
IAG became the parent company of both airlines and later acquired additional carriers.
International Airlines Group
IAG owns several aviation businesses, including:
British Airways
Iberia
Aer Lingus
Vueling
LEVEL
IAG Loyalty
IAG Cargo
The group coordinates investment, aircraft purchasing, finances and selected commercial activities.
British Airways remains an individual airline within the group.
Airbus A380
British Airways introduced the Airbus A380 into commercial service in 2013.
The aircraft operates high-demand long-haul routes from London Heathrow.
British Airways configured the A380 with four travel classes:
First
Club World
World Traveller Plus
World Traveller
Unlike several other airlines, British Airways retained its A380 fleet following the COVID-19 pandemic and returned the aircraft to service.
Boeing 787
British Airways received its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner in 2013.
The airline operates:
Boeing 787-8
Boeing 787-9
Boeing 787-10
The Boeing 787 is used on long-haul routes and has replaced some older Boeing 767 and Boeing 747 services.
The 787-9 and 787-10 include a First cabin on selected configurations.
Airbus A350
British Airways introduced the Airbus A350-1000 in 2019.
The aircraft was the first in the airline's fleet to enter service with the Club Suite Business Class seat.
The A350 is used on long-haul routes from Heathrow.
British Airways does not currently operate the smaller Airbus A350-900.
COVID-19 pandemic
British Airways substantially reduced passenger operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Travel restrictions and lower demand led to:
Route suspensions
Aircraft groundings
Employment reductions
Changes to airport operations
Early aircraft retirements
The airline retired its remaining Boeing 747 fleet during 2020.
British Airways continued operating selected passenger, repatriation and cargo services.
The airline progressively restored its international network as restrictions were removed.
Recent investment
British Airways has announced a multi-year investment programme covering aircraft, cabins, lounges, digital systems and customer service.
The airline is introducing or expanding:
Club Suite seating
Updated First Class products
Refurbished airport lounges
New short-haul seats
Improved digital services
Additional Boeing 787 aircraft
Additional Airbus A320neo-family aircraft
IAG reported that British Airways had 298 aircraft in service at the end of 2025.[8]
Corporate affairs
Ownership
British Airways is wholly owned by International Airlines Group.
IAG was formed in 2011 through the combination of British Airways and Iberia.
The parent company is registered in Spain and has its corporate head office in London.[2]
Headquarters
British Airways is headquartered at Waterside, near London Heathrow Airport.
The complex is located in Harmondsworth in the London Borough of Hillingdon.
It contains corporate offices and administrative departments.
Principal activities
British Airways' principal activities include:
Scheduled passenger transportation
Cargo transportation
Aircraft maintenance
Holiday packages
Loyalty services
Regional flying
Several activities are operated with other companies within IAG.
Subsidiaries and associated operations
| Operation | Role |
| British Airways | Mainline airline |
| BA Cityflyer | London City regional operation |
| British Airways Holidays | Package holiday business |
| IAG Cargo | Group cargo business |
| IAG Loyalty | Avios and loyalty operations |
| British Airways Maintenance | Engineering and maintenance activities |
British Airways Holidays
British Airways Holidays sells package holidays combining flights with accommodation, car hire or other travel services.
Bookings are sold through British Airways and may include additional baggage and Avios benefits.
Engineering
British Airways maintains engineering facilities at Heathrow and other locations.
Its maintenance activities include:
Line maintenance
Base maintenance
Component support
Cabin refurbishment
Technical records
Fleet reliability
Aircraft modifications
Hubs and bases
London Heathrow Airport
London Heathrow Airport is British Airways' principal hub.
The airline operates domestic, European and intercontinental services from the airport.
Heathrow supports connections between flights arriving from the United Kingdom and Europe and departures to destinations across the world.
British Airways primarily operates from Terminals 3 and 5.
Terminal 5 is the centre of the airline's Heathrow operation and includes several British Airways lounges.
London Gatwick Airport
London Gatwick Airport is British Airways' secondary London hub.
The airline's Gatwick network is focused largely on leisure destinations.
Routes include services to destinations in:
Europe
The Caribbean
North America
North Africa
The scale of the Gatwick operation has changed over time in response to market conditions.
London City Airport
British Airways services at London City Airport are primarily operated by BA Cityflyer.
The airport serves business and leisure markets and is located close to central London.
Its short runway and steep approach procedures require specially approved aircraft and crews.
Other UK airports
British Airways operates selected services from airports outside London.
These have included:
Edinburgh Airport
Glasgow Airport
Manchester Airport
Belfast City Airport
Newcastle International Airport
Jersey Airport
Many regional services connect UK cities with Heathrow.
BA Cityflyer also operates seasonal leisure routes from selected regional airports.
Route network
British Airways serves destinations across:
Europe
Africa
Asia
The Middle East
North America
South America
The Caribbean
Oceania
Its long-haul network is centred on London Heathrow.
Gatwick supports a separate network with a greater focus on leisure travel.
Oneworld and codeshare partners extend the number of destinations that can be booked through British Airways.[3]
Partnerships
Oneworld
British Airways is a founding member of Oneworld.
Alliance membership provides passengers with access to coordinated connections and reciprocal benefits across participating airlines.
Eligible customers may receive:
Priority check-in
Priority boarding
Airport lounge access
Additional baggage
Priority baggage handling
Fast-track security at selected airports
Benefits depend on the passenger's British Airways Club status, cabin and operating airline.
Joint business with American Airlines
British Airways participates in a joint business covering selected routes between Europe and North America.
Participants include:
American Airlines
British Airways
Iberia
Finnair
Aer Lingus
LEVEL
The airlines coordinate selected schedules, fares and commercial activities while continuing to operate their own flights.
Joint business with Japan Airlines
British Airways and Japan Airlines cooperate on selected services between Europe and Japan.
The agreement supports coordinated fares, schedules and connecting itineraries.
Codeshare agreements
British Airways maintains codeshare agreements with Oneworld members and other airlines.
A codeshare allows a flight operated by one airline to be sold using another airline's flight number.
Current partners and eligible routes should be confirmed through British Airways' booking system.
BA Cityflyer
BA Cityflyer is a wholly owned subsidiary of British Airways.
It operates primarily from London City Airport using Embraer regional jets.
The airline serves destinations across the United Kingdom and continental Europe.
| Aircraft family | Typical role |
| Embraer E190 | Domestic and European services |
BA Cityflyer operates under its own air operator certificate while using British Airways branding and flight numbers.
The subsidiary also operates selected seasonal weekend services from regional UK airports.
Fleet
British Airways operates Airbus and Boeing aircraft.
Narrow-body Airbus aircraft are used on domestic, European and nearby international routes.
Airbus and Boeing wide-body aircraft operate long-haul services.
| Aircraft family | Typical role |
| Airbus A319 | Short-haul services |
| Airbus A320 | Domestic and European services |
| Airbus A320neo | Short- and medium-haul services |
| Airbus A321 | Higher-capacity short-haul services |
| Airbus A321neo | Short- and medium-haul services |
| Airbus A350-1000 | Long-haul services |
| Airbus A380-800 | High-capacity long-haul services |
| Boeing 777-200ER | Long-haul services |
| Boeing 777-300ER | High-capacity long-haul services |
| Boeing 787-8 | Long-haul services |
| Boeing 787-9 | Long-haul services |
| Boeing 787-10 | Higher-capacity long-haul services |
| Embraer E190 | BA Cityflyer regional services |
British Airways publishes current aircraft information through its official fleet pages.[6]
Airbus A319
The Airbus A319 is the smallest aircraft in British Airways' mainline fleet.
It is used on domestic and European routes.
The type is being progressively reduced as newer Airbus A320neo-family aircraft enter service.
Airbus A320
The Airbus A320 is one of the principal aircraft used on British Airways' short-haul network.
The airline operates both earlier A320ceo aircraft and newer A320neo models.
The aircraft serve destinations across the United Kingdom, Europe and North Africa.
Airbus A321
The Airbus A321 provides additional seating capacity compared with the A320.
British Airways operates both A321ceo and A321neo aircraft.
The type is used on high-demand short- and medium-haul services.
Airbus A350
British Airways operates the Airbus A350-1000.
The aircraft entered service in 2019 and introduced the Club Suite Business Class product.
Its cabin includes:
Club Suite
World Traveller Plus
World Traveller
British Airways' A350 aircraft do not currently contain a First cabin.
Airbus A380
The Airbus A380 is the largest passenger aircraft operated by British Airways.
Its double-deck cabin includes First, Club World, World Traveller Plus and World Traveller.
The aircraft is used on selected high-demand long-haul routes.
British Airways has announced plans to refurbish the A380 fleet with updated cabins.
Boeing 777
British Airways operates the Boeing 777-200ER and Boeing 777-300ER.
The type forms a substantial part of the airline's long-haul fleet.
Cabin configurations vary between individual aircraft.
Some Boeing 777 aircraft have been refurbished with Club Suite seating.
Boeing 787
British Airways operates three Boeing 787 variants:
Boeing 787-8
Boeing 787-9
Boeing 787-10
The aircraft are used on long-haul routes across the airline's network.
The larger 787-9 and 787-10 include First Class in selected configurations.
Embraer E190
The Embraer E190 is operated by BA Cityflyer.
The aircraft is suited to London City's runway and steep approach requirements.
It is used on domestic, business and leisure routes.
Future fleet
British Airways is receiving additional Airbus A320neo-family and Boeing 787 aircraft through IAG fleet orders.
The airline is also expected to introduce Boeing 777-9 aircraft.
The Boeing 777-9 is intended to provide high capacity and improved fuel efficiency on long-haul routes.
Delivery schedules can change because of manufacturing and certification delays.
Former fleet
British Airways and its principal predecessors operated a wide range of aircraft.
Former types include:
Airbus A300
Airbus A310
Boeing 707
Boeing 737
Boeing 747
Boeing 757
Boeing 767
BAC One-Eleven
British Aerospace ATP
British Aerospace 146
Concorde
De Havilland Comet
Douglas DC-3
Douglas DC-10
Hawker Siddeley Trident
Lockheed L-1011 TriStar
Vickers Vanguard
Vickers VC10
Vickers Viscount
Aircraft operated by earlier predecessor airlines included additional flying boats, piston-powered airliners and early transport aircraft.
Passenger cabins
First
First is British Airways' highest passenger cabin.
It is available on selected Boeing 777, Boeing 787 and Airbus A380 aircraft.
Benefits can include:
A private suite
A fully flat bed
Dedicated check-in
Fast-track security where available
First lounge access
Premium dining
Additional baggage
Priority boarding
Priority baggage delivery
The precise seat and service vary by aircraft.
British Airways has announced a new First suite for selected refurbished Airbus A380 aircraft.
Club World
Club World is British Airways' long-haul Business Class product.
The cabin provides lie-flat seating and access to premium airport services.
Benefits generally include:
Priority check-in
Lounge access
Additional baggage
Premium meals and drinks
Priority boarding
Priority baggage handling
Older aircraft use several different Club World seat designs.
Club Suite
Club Suite is British Airways' newer long-haul Business Class seat.
It includes:
Direct aisle access
A fully flat bed
A privacy door
Personal storage
An entertainment screen
The product is installed on Airbus A350 aircraft, newer Boeing 787-10 aircraft and selected refurbished Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft.
World Traveller Plus
World Traveller Plus is British Airways' Premium Economy cabin.
It provides:
Wider seating
Additional legroom
Greater recline
Enhanced meals
A larger baggage allowance
Priority boarding compared with standard Economy on eligible flights
The cabin is available on most long-haul aircraft.
World Traveller
World Traveller is British Airways' long-haul Economy Class cabin.
Services generally include:
Meals and drinks
In-flight entertainment
Cabin baggage
Checked baggage according to the fare
Access to onboard Wi-Fi where installed
Seat design and entertainment equipment vary by aircraft.
Club Europe
Club Europe is British Airways' short-haul Business Class product.
The cabin normally uses the same seat type as Euro Traveller, with the centre seat left unoccupied where the aircraft has a three-abreast arrangement.
Benefits include:
Priority check-in
Fast-track security where available
Lounge access
Complimentary food and drinks
Additional baggage
Priority boarding
Euro Traveller
Euro Traveller is British Airways' short-haul Economy Class product.
Different fare options provide varying combinations of:
Checked baggage
Seat selection
Ticket flexibility
Boarding priority
Food and drinks are provided or available according to the route and current service policy.
The British Airways Club
The British Airways Club is the airline's loyalty programme.
It was previously known as the British Airways Executive Club.
Members earn Avios through eligible flights and partner transactions.
Avios can be earned through:
British Airways flights
Oneworld partners
Hotels
Car hire
Payment cards
Shopping partners
Holiday bookings
Avios may be redeemed for:
Reward flights
Cabin upgrades
Hotels
Car hire
Seat selection
Other travel products
Tier status
Members earn Tier Points to qualify for status within the programme.
Published membership levels include:
| Tier | Position |
| Blue | Entry level |
| Bronze | Oneworld Ruby level |
| Silver | Oneworld Sapphire level |
| Gold | Oneworld Emerald level |
Higher status levels provide benefits including lounge access, priority check-in, preferred seating and additional baggage.
Qualification rules can change between membership years.
Airport lounges
British Airways operates lounges at Heathrow, Gatwick and selected international airports.
Galleries Club Lounge
Galleries Club lounges are available to eligible Business Class passengers and qualifying loyalty members.
Facilities commonly include:
Food and drinks
Wi-Fi
Work areas
Showers at selected locations
Customer-service desks
Quiet seating
Galleries First Lounge
Galleries First lounges are available to eligible First Class passengers and qualifying Gold members.
They provide an enhanced food and beverage selection compared with standard Club lounges.
Concorde Room
The Concorde Room is British Airways' most exclusive lounge.
It is available at selected airports to eligible First Class passengers and certain invitation-only members.
Facilities can include private dining, waiter service and secluded seating areas.
Arrivals Lounge
British Airways operates an arrivals lounge at Heathrow for eligible passengers arriving on selected long-haul flights.
Facilities include showers, breakfast and work areas.
In-flight entertainment
British Airways provides personal entertainment systems on long-haul aircraft.
Available content can include:
Films
Television programmes
Music
Games
Audio content
Flight information
The screen size and system vary according to aircraft and cabin.
Most short-haul aircraft do not provide installed seatback entertainment.
Onboard connectivity
British Airways offers Wi-Fi on many aircraft.
Packages and availability vary according to:
Aircraft
Route
Connectivity provider
Passenger cabin
British Airways Club status
The airline has announced further investment in onboard connectivity as part of its customer-experience programme.
Catering
British Airways provides complimentary meals or refreshments according to the route and cabin.
Long-haul services generally include meals and drinks in all cabins.
Club World and First provide enhanced dining with a wider selection of food and beverages.
Passengers can request selected special meals before travel.
IAG Cargo
British Airways' cargo capacity is marketed through IAG Cargo.
IAG Cargo brings together cargo capacity from several IAG airlines.[9]
Freight is transported primarily in the holds of passenger aircraft.
Products carried include:
General freight
Pharmaceuticals
Mail
Fresh food
Live animals
Valuable goods
Temperature-sensitive cargo
Oversized shipments
London Heathrow is an important IAG Cargo hub.
Branding
Speedbird
The Speedbird symbol was originally created for Imperial Airways.
It was later used by BOAC and influenced British Airways' visual identity.
The word remains part of the airline's history and is used as the basis of its radio callsign, SPEEDBIRD.
Coat of arms
British Airways inherited a coat of arms associated with its predecessor airlines.
The emblem was displayed prominently during the Landor branding period.
It continues to appear in selected corporate and heritage settings.
Current logo
The current British Airways logo combines the airline's name with a curved red and blue ribbon known as the Speedmarque.
The design was introduced during the 1997 branding programme.
Current livery
British Airways aircraft use a predominantly white upper fuselage with a dark blue lower section.
The tail carries the red, white and blue Chatham Dockyard Union Flag design.
The Speedmarque appears near the airline's name on the forward fuselage.
Heritage liveries
British Airways has painted selected aircraft in historical liveries.
Designs have represented:
British Overseas Airways Corporation
British European Airways
Earlier British Airways Negus branding
British Airways Landor branding
The heritage aircraft were introduced as part of the airline's centenary celebrations in 2019.
Sustainability
British Airways operates an environmental programme named BA Better World.
The airline and IAG have stated an ambition to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.[10]
Measures include:
Fleet renewal
Sustainable aviation fuel
More efficient flight planning
Reduced aircraft weight
Electric ground vehicles
Waste reduction
Carbon-removal investment
Development of lower-emission aviation technology
Newer aircraft including the Airbus A320neo, Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 use less fuel than several older aircraft they replace.
Accidents and incidents
British European Airways Flight 548
On 18 June 1972, British European Airways Flight 548 crashed shortly after departing London Heathrow Airport.
The Hawker Siddeley Trident was operating to Brussels.
All 118 passengers and crew members were killed.
The investigation examined the aircraft's configuration, crew actions and medical condition of the captain.
British Airways Flight 476
On 10 September 1976, British Airways Flight 476 collided in flight with an Inex-Adria Aviopromet aircraft near Zagreb.
The British Airways Hawker Siddeley Trident was travelling from London to Istanbul.
Everyone aboard both aircraft was killed.
The accident was linked to failures in air traffic control separation.
British Airways Flight 9
On 24 June 1982, British Airways Flight 9 flew through a cloud of volcanic ash over Indonesia.
All four engines of the Boeing 747 temporarily stopped.
The crew glided the aircraft and eventually restarted the engines before landing safely in Jakarta.
The event increased awareness of the danger volcanic ash presents to jet aircraft.
British Airways Flight 5390
On 10 June 1990, British Airways Flight 5390 suffered an explosive decompression after an incorrectly installed cockpit windscreen separated from the aircraft.
The BAC One-Eleven was operating from Birmingham to Málaga.
The captain was partially pulled from the cockpit but was held by crew members.
The co-pilot landed safely at Southampton Airport, and the captain survived.
British Airways Flight 2069
On 29 December 2000, a passenger entered the cockpit of British Airways Flight 2069 while the Boeing 747 was travelling from London to Nairobi.
The passenger interfered with the controls and caused the aircraft to enter a steep descent.
The crew and passengers restrained the individual, and the aircraft landed safely.
British Airways Flight 38
On 17 January 2008, British Airways Flight 38 landed short of the runway at London Heathrow Airport.
The Boeing 777 was operating from Beijing.
Ice within the fuel system restricted fuel flow to both engines during the final approach.
The aircraft was substantially damaged, but all occupants survived.
British Airways Flight 2276
On 8 September 2015, British Airways Flight 2276 suffered an engine failure and fire during its take-off roll at Las Vegas.
The Boeing 777 was operating to London Gatwick.
The aircraft was evacuated, and several occupants received minor injuries.
Customer data breach
British Airways disclosed a major customer-data breach in 2018.
Personal and payment information belonging to customers was accessed through compromised online systems.
The incident led to regulatory investigation and a financial penalty under UK data-protection law.
Legacy
British Airways is one of the principal successor airlines to Britain's early commercial aviation companies.
Its history includes the development of imperial air routes, the introduction of early commercial jet services, the operation of Concorde and the growth of London Heathrow as an international hub.
The airline's branding, aircraft and advertising have become widely recognised parts of British aviation history.
See also
BA Cityflyer
British Overseas Airways Corporation
British European Airways
International Airlines Group
Oneworld
London Heathrow Airport
London Gatwick Airport
Concorde
List of airlines of the United Kingdom
Aviation in the United Kingdom