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Today marks British Airways’ 100th birthday. That is to say, 100 years ago today Air Transport and Travel flew the first regular international air service. The service flew between London and Paris. To celebrate this occasion, Simple Flying has created an A to Z guide to the world’s oldest airline.
A. Air Transport And Travel Limited
Air Transport And Travel Limited was the name of the airline which took its first flight 100 years ago today. Through a series of takeovers and mergers, the company went on to become what we now know as British Airways.
B. BOAC & BEA Merger
BOAC (the British Overseas Airways Corporation) and BEA (British European Airways) merged on the 1st of April 1974 to create the present-day British Airways.
C. Concorde
C is for Concorde, the supersonic icon of the skies. British Airways owned seven of the 20 Concordes that were built. One still stands at Heathrow in the British Airways livery today.
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D. Do&Co
Do&Co is the current food supplier for British Airways. Their contract was announced in September 2018, and the supplier should be fully integrated into providing British Airways’ by March 2020 according to Head For Points.
E. Executive Club
E is for Executive Club. The Executive Club is British Airways’ frequent flyer program. It has four regularly attainable tiers. These are Blue, Bronze, Silver, and Gold.
F. Flag Carrier
F is for Flag Carrier. British Airways is the flag carrier of the United Kingdom.
G. Galleries Lounge
Galleries is the name of British Airway’s lounges. At Heathrow, there are Galleries Lounges in Terminals 3 and 5.
H. High Life
High Life is the name of British Airways’ in-flight magazine. It is produced once a month, and there are 12 covers to collect in August to celebrate the carrier’s centenary.
I. International Airlines Group
IAG is short for International Airlines Group. This is the airline holding group which owns British Airways.
J. Jet Fuel From Waste
British Airways is currently investing in a site in North East Lincolnshire where the carrier hopes to make sustainable jet fuel out of household waste.
K. 8K
8K was the seat Simple Flying was assigned on the inaugural British Airways Airbus A350 flight from London to Madrid.
L. London
L is for London, home of British Airways. BA’s main hub is at Heathrow, where their Waterside offices are based, however, the carrier also has a significant presence at London Gatwick airport.
M. Manchester
British Airways flies to a small number of destinations from Manchester, its hub away from London.
N. Negus
Earlier this year, British Airways painted a Boeing 747 in the old Negus livery alongside three other liveries. This was part of the carrier’s 100th-anniversary celebrations.
O. oneworld
20 years ago on the 1st of February 1999, British Airways was a founding member of the oneworld alliance. Earlier this year, oneworld airline CEOs met in London to celebrate the alliance’s 20th Birthday.
P. Painted Wingtips
British Airway’s new Airbus A350s are the only aircraft in the carrier’s fleet to have painted wingtips. The carrier’s South African franchise, Comair, also has painted wingtips on its Boeing 737 aircraft.
Q. Queen
Just under a year ago, British Airways baggage handlers performed Bohemian Rhapsody in Terminal 5 to pay homage to the band’s singer, Freddie Mercury.
R. Royal Mail
British Airways helps Royal Mail carry letters and packages across the world. This is recognized by the Royal Mail logo hiding on aircraft.
S. Suites
British Airways has revitalized its business class offering for the first time in 13 years. The carrier is beginning to roll out suites on its new Airbus A350 aircraft, and some older Boeing 777s.
T. Terminal 5
Terminal 5 is the Home of British Airways at London Heathrow. The carrier moved into the new terminal when it opened on 27th of March, 2008.
U. Uniform
British Airways is currently in the process of designing a new uniform in collaboration with the designer Ozwald Boateng.
V. VR Headsets
VR Headsets will be trialed on select flights to New York until the end of the year.
W. Waterside
Waterside is the name of the airline’s head office. It is located not too far from the airline’s London Heathrow Terminal 5 home.
X. XWBA
G-XWBA is the registration of BA’s first Airbus A350. The aircraft took its inaugural flight to Madrid 20 days ago and features the airline’s new business class suite.
Y. Yin-Yang Club World Seat
Yin-Yang is the name of British Airway’s current business class seating. At eight abreast, it is due to be completely replaced by the carrier’s new Club Suite cabin.
Z. Zulu
Last but by no means least, Z is for Zulu. This is the standard time that pilots around the world use in order to avoid getting confused between time zones.
What is your favorite memory of British Airways? Let us know in the comments!
