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British Airways was officially formed in 1974 through the merger of British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) and British European Airways (BEA), along with two smaller airlines, Cambrian Airways and Northeast Airlines. However, its history extends back much further, with roots in the world's first international scheduled air service established in 1919. The airline was nationalized until its privatization in 1987.
Here's a more detailed look at the key milestones:
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Early Beginnings:
British Airways' history includes the world's first international scheduled air service, launched in 1919 between London and Paris, according to British Airways.
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Formation of BOAC and BEA:
BOAC was formed in 1940 by merging British Airways Ltd and Imperial Airways, while BEA was established in 1946.
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Nationalization and Privatization:
After World War II, both BOAC and BEA were nationalized, and in 1974, they merged to form British Airways. The airline was privatized in 1987.
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Expansion and Mergers:
In 1988, British Airways merged with British Caledonian Airways, further expanding its operations.
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Concorde Era:
British Airways operated Concorde, the supersonic jet, until 2003.
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Modern Era:
British Airways continues to be a major global airline, part of International Airlines Group (IAG) since 2011.
Airbus A319-100
The A319 has the longest flying range in its category. The A319 is a shortened derivative of the highly successful A320, it is shorter by seven fuselage frames and otherwise almost identical in all other aspects.
The A319 has the longest flying range in its category. The A319 is a shortened derivative of the highly successful A320, it is shorter by seven fuselage frames and otherwise almost identical in all other aspects.
Airbus A319-100
Number in fleet 30
Passenger capacity Up to 144
Length 33.8m (111 feet)
Wingspan 34.1m (111 feet 11 inches)
Height 11.8m (38 feet 7 inches)
Engines 2× IAE V2500
Maximum speed 828km/h (511mph, Mach 0.78)
Range 6,700km (4,100 miles)
The A319 has the longest flying range in its category. The A319 is a shortened derivative of the highly successful A320, it is shorter by seven fuselage frames and otherwise almost identical in all other aspects.
Airbus A319-100
Number in fleet 30
Passenger capacity Up to 144
Length 33.8m (111 feet)
Wingspan 34.1m (111 feet 11 inches)
Height 11.8m (38 feet 7 inches)
Engines 2× IAE V2500
Maximum speed 828km/h (511mph, Mach 0.78)
Range 6,700km (4,100 miles)
Airbus A320-200
The Airbus A320-200 is a single aisle, twin-engine jet manufactured by Airbus Industrie, the European consortium. It is part of the Airbus A320 family, the world’s best selling aircraft line.
Airbus A319-100
Number in fleet 30
Passenger capacity Up to 144
Length 33.8m (111 feet)
Wingspan 34.1m (111 feet 11 inches)
Height 11.8m (38 feet 7 inches)
Engines 2× IAE V2500
Maximum speed 828km/h (511mph, Mach 0.78)
Range 6,700km (4,100 miles)
Technical information
Airbus A320-200
Number in fleet 67
Passenger capacity Up to 180
Length 37.6m (123 feet 3 inches)
Wingspan 34.1m (111 feet 11 inches)
Height 11.8m (38 feet 7 inches)
Engines 2x IAE V2500 or 2x CFM International LEAP 1A engines
Maximum speed 828km/h (511mph, Mach 0.78)
Range up to 6500km (4,000miles)
Airbus A319-100
Number in fleet 30
Passenger capacity Up to 144
Length 33.8m (111 feet)
Wingspan 34.1m (111 feet 11 inches)
Height 11.8m (38 feet 7 inches)
Engines 2× IAE V2500
Maximum speed 828km/h (511mph, Mach 0.78)
Range 6,700km (4,100 miles)
Technical information
Airbus A320-200
Number in fleet 67
Passenger capacity Up to 180
Length 37.6m (123 feet 3 inches)
Wingspan 34.1m (111 feet 11 inches)
Height 11.8m (38 feet 7 inches)
Engines 2x IAE V2500 or 2x CFM International LEAP 1A engines
Maximum speed 828km/h (511mph, Mach 0.78)
Range up to 6500km (4,000miles)
Airbus A320neo
The Airbus A320neo is a single aisle, twin-engine jet manufactured by Airbus Industrie, the European consortium. It's part of the Airbus A320 family, the world’s best selling aircraft line. The A320neo has a noise footprint which is nearly 50% less than previous generation aircraft.
Compared to the A320-200, the most notable difference is the ‘Sharklets’ on the wingtips. The ‘Sharklets’ wingtip can reduce up to 4% of fuel burn on longer sectors, corresponding to around 900 tones of CO2 emissions annually per aircraft.
Other less visible differences include a larger engine, with small extensions at the rear of the engine. The aircraft overall delivers 20% fuel savings and CO2 reduction compared to the A320-200.
Compared to the A320-200, the most notable difference is the ‘Sharklets’ on the wingtips. The ‘Sharklets’ wingtip can reduce up to 4% of fuel burn on longer sectors, corresponding to around 900 tones of CO2 emissions annually per aircraft.
Other less visible differences include a larger engine, with small extensions at the rear of the engine. The aircraft overall delivers 20% fuel savings and CO2 reduction compared to the A320-200.
Airbus A321-200
The Airbus A321-200 is a single aisle, twin-engine jet manufactured by Airbus Industrie, the European consortium. It is part of the Airbus A320 family, the world’s best selling aircraft line.
Compared with the A320, the A321's obvious difference is the stretched fuselage. Other less visible changes include more powerful engines, a strengthened undercarriage and larger tyres, all to cope with the extra weight of the aircraft.
Technical information
Airbus A321-200
Number in fleet 14
Passenger capacity Up to 220
Length 44.5m (146 feet)
Wingspan 34.1m (111 feet 11 inches)
Height 11.8m (38 feet 7 inches)
Engines 2xCFM International LEAP 1A engine
Maximum speed 828km/h (511mph, Mach 0.78)
Range 5,600km (3,000 miles)
Compared with the A320, the A321's obvious difference is the stretched fuselage. Other less visible changes include more powerful engines, a strengthened undercarriage and larger tyres, all to cope with the extra weight of the aircraft.
Technical information
Airbus A321-200
Number in fleet 14
Passenger capacity Up to 220
Length 44.5m (146 feet)
Wingspan 34.1m (111 feet 11 inches)
Height 11.8m (38 feet 7 inches)
Engines 2xCFM International LEAP 1A engine
Maximum speed 828km/h (511mph, Mach 0.78)
Range 5,600km (3,000 miles)
Airbus A321neo
The Airbus A321neo is a single aisle, twin-engine jet manufactured by Airbus Industrie, the European consortium. It's part of the Airbus A320 family, the world’s best selling aircraft line.
Compared to the A321-200, the most notable difference is the ‘Sharklets’ on the wingtips, and over wing emergency exits. The Sharklet wingtips and newer engine type used on the A321neo bring a per seat fuel improvement of around 20%.
The CFM International LEAP-1A engine used on our A321neo aircraft provides economic, environmental and operational efficiency improvments.
Other less visible differences include a larger engine with small extensions at the rear of the engine.
Compared to the A321-200, the most notable difference is the ‘Sharklets’ on the wingtips, and over wing emergency exits. The Sharklet wingtips and newer engine type used on the A321neo bring a per seat fuel improvement of around 20%.
The CFM International LEAP-1A engine used on our A321neo aircraft provides economic, environmental and operational efficiency improvments.
Other less visible differences include a larger engine with small extensions at the rear of the engine.
Airbus A350-1000
The Airbus A350-1000 is more environmentally friendly and was the first aircraft type to premiere our Club World cabin - Club Suite.
The Airbus A350 is one of the most fuel-efficient aircraft operating in the world today. The state-of-the-art aircraft is built from advanced materials. A combination of carbon composites, titanium and modern aluminium alloys delivers environmental benefits such as lower fuel burn and reduced CO2 emissions.
Its nitrogen oxide emissions are nearly a third below the current industry standard, with noise levels also much lower compared to previous generations. It’s a huge leap forward for greener air travel.
The Trent XWB engines used on our A350-1000 aircraft have the lowest specific fuel consumption for any turbofan aircraft in service today, contributing to lowering CO2 emission.
Technical information
Number in fleet: 13
Passenger capacity: 331 (3 class)
Length: 73.79 m (242 feet 1 inch)
Wingspan: 64.75m (212 feet 5 inches)
Height: 17.08 m (56 feet 0 inches)
Engines: 2 x Rolls Royce Trent XWB-97
Maximum speed: 1098.97 kmh (682.86 mph, Mach 0.89)
Range: 16,100km (8,700 miles)
The Airbus A350 is one of the most fuel-efficient aircraft operating in the world today. The state-of-the-art aircraft is built from advanced materials. A combination of carbon composites, titanium and modern aluminium alloys delivers environmental benefits such as lower fuel burn and reduced CO2 emissions.
Its nitrogen oxide emissions are nearly a third below the current industry standard, with noise levels also much lower compared to previous generations. It’s a huge leap forward for greener air travel.
The Trent XWB engines used on our A350-1000 aircraft have the lowest specific fuel consumption for any turbofan aircraft in service today, contributing to lowering CO2 emission.
Technical information
Number in fleet: 13
Passenger capacity: 331 (3 class)
Length: 73.79 m (242 feet 1 inch)
Wingspan: 64.75m (212 feet 5 inches)
Height: 17.08 m (56 feet 0 inches)
Engines: 2 x Rolls Royce Trent XWB-97
Maximum speed: 1098.97 kmh (682.86 mph, Mach 0.89)
Range: 16,100km (8,700 miles)
Airbus A380-800
The Airbus A380 is a double-deck, wide-body, four-engine jet manufactured by Airbus Industrie, the European consortium.
It is the world's largest commercial passenger aircraft and the upper deck extends along the entire length of the fuselage. It is also one of the greenest, with lower community noise and emissions per passenger than the Boeing 747-400 despite having almost 50% more floor space and 60% more headroom.
Carbon fibre, a strong and light material, is used on key parts of the A380. Roughly 25% of the plane's overall structure is made from carbon-fibre reinforced plastic.
Technical information
Airbus A380-800
Number in fleet 12
Passenger capacity 469 (4 class)
Length 72.7m (238 feet 8 inches)
Wingspan 79.8m (261 feet 10 inches)
Height 24.1m (79 feet)
Engines 4× Rolls Royce Trent 900
Maximum speed 945km/h (587mph, Mach 0.89)
Range 15,400km (9,500 miles)
It is the world's largest commercial passenger aircraft and the upper deck extends along the entire length of the fuselage. It is also one of the greenest, with lower community noise and emissions per passenger than the Boeing 747-400 despite having almost 50% more floor space and 60% more headroom.
Carbon fibre, a strong and light material, is used on key parts of the A380. Roughly 25% of the plane's overall structure is made from carbon-fibre reinforced plastic.
Technical information
Airbus A380-800
Number in fleet 12
Passenger capacity 469 (4 class)
Length 72.7m (238 feet 8 inches)
Wingspan 79.8m (261 feet 10 inches)
Height 24.1m (79 feet)
Engines 4× Rolls Royce Trent 900
Maximum speed 945km/h (587mph, Mach 0.89)
Range 15,400km (9,500 miles)
Boeing 777-200
Often referred to as the 'Triple Seven', it was the world’s first commercial aircraft entirely designed by computer.
Its visible features include super large engines, low hanging landing gear and a blade shaped tail cone with a relatively narrow tailfin.
British Airways took part in the design of the aircraft with Boeing. The Boeing 777 emerged as a best seller for longhaul commercial aircraft thanks to its excellent fuel efficiency and cabin comfort.
Technical information
Number in fleet: 43
Passenger capacity: up to 336 (3 or 4 class)
Length: 63.7m (209 feet 1 inches)
Wingspan: 60.9m (199 feet 11 inches)
Height: 18.5m (60 feet 9 inches)
Engines: 2× Rolls Royce Trent 800 or 2× General Electric 90
Maximum speed: 950km/h (590mph, Mach 0.89)
Range: 6,857km (4,261 miles)
Its visible features include super large engines, low hanging landing gear and a blade shaped tail cone with a relatively narrow tailfin.
British Airways took part in the design of the aircraft with Boeing. The Boeing 777 emerged as a best seller for longhaul commercial aircraft thanks to its excellent fuel efficiency and cabin comfort.
Technical information
Number in fleet: 43
Passenger capacity: up to 336 (3 or 4 class)
Length: 63.7m (209 feet 1 inches)
Wingspan: 60.9m (199 feet 11 inches)
Height: 18.5m (60 feet 9 inches)
Engines: 2× Rolls Royce Trent 800 or 2× General Electric 90
Maximum speed: 950km/h (590mph, Mach 0.89)
Range: 6,857km (4,261 miles)
Boeing 777-300
The Boeing 777-300 is a long range, twin aisle, twin-engine jet manufactured by Boeing, the American aerospace company. We operate these on routes to Asia and North America.
Often referred to as the “Triple Seven”, it was the world’s first commercial aircraft entirely designed by computer. Its visible features include super-large engines, low-hanging landing gear and a blade-shaped tail cone with a relatively narrow tailfin.
British Airways took part in the design of the aircraft with Boeing. The Boeing 777 emerged as a best seller for longhaul commercial aircraft thanks to its excellent fuel efficiency and cabin comfort. Compared to the 777-200, the Boeing 777-300 features a longer body, raked and extended wingtips, a new main landing gear, reinforced nose gear, and extra fuel tanks.
Technical information
Boeing 777-300
Number in fleet 16
Passenger capacity up to 297 (4 class)
Length 73.9m (242 feet 4 inches)
Wingspan 64.8m (212 feet 7 inches)
Height 18.5m (60 feet 9 inches)
Engines 2× General Electric 90-115B1
Maximum speed 950km/h (590mph, Mach 0.89)
Range 14,685km (9,125 miles)
Often referred to as the “Triple Seven”, it was the world’s first commercial aircraft entirely designed by computer. Its visible features include super-large engines, low-hanging landing gear and a blade-shaped tail cone with a relatively narrow tailfin.
British Airways took part in the design of the aircraft with Boeing. The Boeing 777 emerged as a best seller for longhaul commercial aircraft thanks to its excellent fuel efficiency and cabin comfort. Compared to the 777-200, the Boeing 777-300 features a longer body, raked and extended wingtips, a new main landing gear, reinforced nose gear, and extra fuel tanks.
Technical information
Boeing 777-300
Number in fleet 16
Passenger capacity up to 297 (4 class)
Length 73.9m (242 feet 4 inches)
Wingspan 64.8m (212 feet 7 inches)
Height 18.5m (60 feet 9 inches)
Engines 2× General Electric 90-115B1
Maximum speed 950km/h (590mph, Mach 0.89)
Range 14,685km (9,125 miles)
Boeing 787-8
The Boeing 787-8 is a mid-size, dual aisle, twin engine jet manufactured by Boeing, the American aerospace company. The aircraft is 20% more fuel efficient than similar sized commercial jets it's designed to replace. Composite materials make up 50% of the primary structure, including the fuselage and wing.
The engine nacelles are made of serrated edges that reduce the noise levels both outside and inside the cabin, by up to 60%. The aircraft also features raked wingtip to further improve the fuel efficiency.
The windows are more than 30 percent larger than those on most similarly sized aircraft. Instead of pulling shades up and down, customers can adjust the brightness of windows with a button. Using an electrochromic dimming system, the windows turn from fully transparent to completely dimmed in gradual steps.
Technical information
Number in fleet: 12
Passenger capacity: 214 (3 class)
Length: 56.7m (186 feet)
Wingspan: 60m (197 feet)
Height: 16.9m (55 feet 6 inches)
Engines: 2× Rolls Royce Trent 1000
Maximum speed: 954km/h (680mph, Mach 0.89)
Range: 15,200km (9,440 miles)
The engine nacelles are made of serrated edges that reduce the noise levels both outside and inside the cabin, by up to 60%. The aircraft also features raked wingtip to further improve the fuel efficiency.
The windows are more than 30 percent larger than those on most similarly sized aircraft. Instead of pulling shades up and down, customers can adjust the brightness of windows with a button. Using an electrochromic dimming system, the windows turn from fully transparent to completely dimmed in gradual steps.
Technical information
Number in fleet: 12
Passenger capacity: 214 (3 class)
Length: 56.7m (186 feet)
Wingspan: 60m (197 feet)
Height: 16.9m (55 feet 6 inches)
Engines: 2× Rolls Royce Trent 1000
Maximum speed: 954km/h (680mph, Mach 0.89)
Range: 15,200km (9,440 miles)
Boeing 787-9
The Boeing 787-9 is a mid-size, dual aisle, twin engine jet and Boeing’s most fuel efficient aircraft to date - 20% more fuel efficient than the similar sized commercial jets it is designed to replace. Composite materials make up 50% of the primary structure, including the fuselage and wings.
The windows are over 30% larger than those on most similarly sized aircraft and the brightness can be adjusted at the touch of a button. Serrated edges on the engine nacelles reduce the noise levels by up to 60% both in- and outside the cabin making the noise footprint of the 787 family aircraft around 60% quieter than the previous generation of aircraft. It also features raked wingtips to further improve fuel efficiency.
The Boeing 787-9 features an evolution of our First cabin, with just 8 seats compared to the usual 14, increased range and is 20 feet longer and four inches taller than the 787-8.
Technical information
Number in fleet: 18
Passenger capacity: 216 (4 class)
Length: 62.8m (206 feet)
Wingspan: 60m (197 feet)
Height: 16.9m (55 feet 10 inches)
Engines: 2× Rolls Royce Trent 1000
Maximum speed: 954km/h (593mph, Mach 0.89)
Range: 15,400km (9,550 miles)
The windows are over 30% larger than those on most similarly sized aircraft and the brightness can be adjusted at the touch of a button. Serrated edges on the engine nacelles reduce the noise levels by up to 60% both in- and outside the cabin making the noise footprint of the 787 family aircraft around 60% quieter than the previous generation of aircraft. It also features raked wingtips to further improve fuel efficiency.
The Boeing 787-9 features an evolution of our First cabin, with just 8 seats compared to the usual 14, increased range and is 20 feet longer and four inches taller than the 787-8.
Technical information
Number in fleet: 18
Passenger capacity: 216 (4 class)
Length: 62.8m (206 feet)
Wingspan: 60m (197 feet)
Height: 16.9m (55 feet 10 inches)
Engines: 2× Rolls Royce Trent 1000
Maximum speed: 954km/h (593mph, Mach 0.89)
Range: 15,400km (9,550 miles)
Boeing 787-10
The Boeing 787-10 is a mid-size, dual aisle, twin engine jet manufactured by Boeing, the American aerospace company. The aircraft is 25% more fuel efficient than similar sized commercial jets it is designed to replace, and to date, is Boeing's most fuel efficient aircraft.
Composite materials make up 50 percent of the primary structure, including the fuselage and wing. The engine nacelles are made of serrated edges that reduce the noise levels both outside and inside the cabin, by up to 60%. The aircraft also features a raked wingtip to further improve the fuel efficiency.
The windows are over 30% larger than those on most similarly sized aircraft and the brightness can be adjusted at the touch of a button.
The Boeing 787-10 is the largest aircraft within the 787 family with the longest body.
Technical information
Boeing 787-10
Number in fleet Currently rolling out across the fleet (12 by the end of 2024)
Passenger capacity 256
Length 68m (223.097 feet)
Wingspan 60m (197 feet)
Height 16.9m (55.77 feet)
Engines 2× Rolls Royce Trent 1000
Maximum speed 954km/h (593mph, Mach 0.89)
Range 11,730km (6330nm/7284 miles)
Composite materials make up 50 percent of the primary structure, including the fuselage and wing. The engine nacelles are made of serrated edges that reduce the noise levels both outside and inside the cabin, by up to 60%. The aircraft also features a raked wingtip to further improve the fuel efficiency.
The windows are over 30% larger than those on most similarly sized aircraft and the brightness can be adjusted at the touch of a button.
The Boeing 787-10 is the largest aircraft within the 787 family with the longest body.
Technical information
Boeing 787-10
Number in fleet Currently rolling out across the fleet (12 by the end of 2024)
Passenger capacity 256
Length 68m (223.097 feet)
Wingspan 60m (197 feet)
Height 16.9m (55.77 feet)
Engines 2× Rolls Royce Trent 1000
Maximum speed 954km/h (593mph, Mach 0.89)
Range 11,730km (6330nm/7284 miles)
Embraer 190 (BA CityFlyer)
BA CityFlyer, British Airways' wholly owned subsidiary, operates the Embraer 190 aircraft from London City airport to UK domestic and European routes.
The Embraer 190 is a narrow-body, twin-engine jet airliner manufactured by Embraer, a Brazilian aerospace company. BA CityFlyer operates the aircraft from London City airport to UK and European destinations.
The aircraft is a low wing design with engines mounted below the wings. The wings of the Embraer 190 are fitted with winglets, which reduces the drag and provides increased lift and improved efficiency. The high-performance, high-efficiency engines are very quiet and the aircraft exceeds the noise and emission-related requirements established by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
Despite being a regional aircraft, the Embraer 190 provides ample space in the passenger cabin, with easy access to the overhead lockers.
Technical information
Number in fleet: 20
Passenger capacity: 106 (1 or 2 class)
Length: 38.7m (126 feet 1 inch)
Wingspan: 28.7m (94 feet 3 inches)
Height: 10.28m (34 feet 7 inches)
Engines: 2× General Electric CF34-10E turbofans
Maximum speed: 890km/h (481 knots, Mach 0.82)
Range: 3,334km (2,072 miles)
The Embraer 190 is a narrow-body, twin-engine jet airliner manufactured by Embraer, a Brazilian aerospace company. BA CityFlyer operates the aircraft from London City airport to UK and European destinations.
The aircraft is a low wing design with engines mounted below the wings. The wings of the Embraer 190 are fitted with winglets, which reduces the drag and provides increased lift and improved efficiency. The high-performance, high-efficiency engines are very quiet and the aircraft exceeds the noise and emission-related requirements established by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
Despite being a regional aircraft, the Embraer 190 provides ample space in the passenger cabin, with easy access to the overhead lockers.
Technical information
Number in fleet: 20
Passenger capacity: 106 (1 or 2 class)
Length: 38.7m (126 feet 1 inch)
Wingspan: 28.7m (94 feet 3 inches)
Height: 10.28m (34 feet 7 inches)
Engines: 2× General Electric CF34-10E turbofans
Maximum speed: 890km/h (481 knots, Mach 0.82)
Range: 3,334km (2,072 miles)
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