About British Airways
A Quick Overview of British Airways
British Airways PLC is the flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom, headquartered at Waterside near London Heathrow Airport (LHR). As one of the world’s leading airlines, British Airways (BA) operates an extensive global network, serving over 170 destinations across more than 70 countries. Founded in 1974 through the merger of British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) and British European Airways (BEA), BA is a founding member of the oneworld alliance and a key player in the global aviation industry. Known for its premium service, modern fleet, and commitment to sustainability, British Airways carries over 40 million passengers annually, operating from major hubs at London Heathrow (LHR), London Gatwick (LGW), and a secondary base at London City Airport (LCY). Its slogan, “To Fly. To Serve.” reflects its focus on delivering exceptional customer experiences with British hospitality.
History
British Airways traces its roots to the 1919 establishment of Aircraft Transport and Travel Limited, the world’s first daily international scheduled air service. The modern airline was formed on March 31, 1974, by merging BOAC (focused on long-haul routes) and BEA (European and domestic routes), with additional regional carriers like Cambrian Airways and Northeast Airlines. Privatized in 1987 under Margaret Thatcher’s government, BA became a publicly listed company, marking a shift toward commercial competitiveness.
Key milestones include:
- 1987: Launched the “World’s Favourite Airline” campaign, reflecting its global reach.
- 1999: Co-founded the oneworld alliance with American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and Qantas, enhancing global connectivity.
- 2000s: Introduced premium services like flat-bed seats in Club World and the Concorde (retired 2003).
- 2011: Merged with Iberia to form International Airlines Group (IAG), which later acquired Aer Lingus (2015) and Air Europa (pending 2025). IAG is listed on the London and Madrid stock exchanges.
- 2015: Rolled out new cabin products, including First Class enhancements and Club World upgrades.
- 2020–2021: Faced severe financial losses (£4 billion in 2020) due to COVID-19, suspending routes and retiring its Boeing 747 fleet. Implemented health safety measures, earning Skytrax’s 5-star COVID-19 safety rating.
- 2023: Celebrated its centenary (from 1919 origins) and launched a £7 billion transformation plan, including new aircraft, lounges, and digital enhancements.
- 2024: Expanded codeshare with IndiGo for India routes and introduced free messaging on Wi-Fi-enabled aircraft.
- 2025: Announced new routes to Jeddah, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur, and completed Club Suite rollout across its fleet.
Operations
British Airways operates from its primary hub at London Heathrow Terminal 5 (with some flights from Terminal 3), a secondary hub at London Gatwick, and a base at London City Airport for short-haul business routes. It serves over 170 destinations, including:
Domestic Destinations (UK):
- London (LHR, LGW, LCY), Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast, Newcastle, Aberdeen, Jersey, Isle of Man.
International Destinations:
- Europe: Paris (CDG, ORY), Amsterdam, Rome, Barcelona, Frankfurt, Dublin, Athens, Lisbon.
- North America: New York (JFK, EWR), Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, Miami, Boston, Vancouver, Las Vegas.
- Asia: Hong Kong, Singapore, Delhi, Mumbai, Bangkok (resumed 2025), Kuala Lumpur (resumed 2025).
- Middle East: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Jeddah (2025), Tel Aviv.
- Africa: Johannesburg, Cape Town, Nairobi, Lagos.
- Caribbean & Latin America: Nassau, Barbados, Mexico City, São Paulo.
- Australia: Sydney, Melbourne (via Singapore).
Services:
- Scheduled Flights: Operates over 800 daily flights, with high-frequency routes like LHR–JFK (up to 8 daily).
- Charter Services: Limited charters for corporate events, sports teams, and government needs.
- Cargo: Operates freighter services via IAG Cargo, handling over 1 million tonnes annually, with a focus on perishables and pharmaceuticals.
- Codeshare & Interline Agreements: Partners with oneworld members (e.g., American Airlines, Qatar Airways) and non-members like IndiGo, Alaska Airlines, and Loganair. Codeshares cover 200+ additional destinations.
- Subsidiaries: Includes BA CityFlyer (Embraer 190s from LCY), BA Euroflyer (low-cost short-haul from LGW), and OpenSkies (previously operated U.S. routes).
