British Airways was founded on August 26, 1919 as Aircraft Transport and Travel Limited. It operated the world’s first daily daily international air service: a flight from London to Paris, carrying one passenger, along with cargo including newspapers, cream, jam and Devonshire grouse.
In 1940, the government formed the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) to operate WWII services. Six years later, British European Airways (BEA) and British South American Airways (BSAA) were created to handle commercial flights to Europe and South America, respectively.
In 1974, BOAC and BEA merged to create British Airways. The airline was privatized in 1987. A year later, British Airways merged with British Caledonian Airways, based in Gatwick.
The airline has around 40,000 employees, including 15,000 cabin crew, more than 4,000 pilots and more than 10,000 ground employees. Offers opportunities for graduates and apprentices.
British Airways, together with Iberia, Aer Lingus and Vueling, is part of the International Airlines Group of Spain, one of the largest airline groups in the world. Combined, IAG member airlines own 533 aircraft that fly to 274 destinations that carry nearly 95 million passengers a year.
Headquarters: Waterside, England
Website
Fleet
The airline has nearly 400 aircraft and 14 types, ranging from the 70-seat Embraer 170 to the Airbus A380 jumbo jet. Fly from London Heathrow to more than 190 destinations in 80 countries.
Seat maps
Centers: London Heathrow, Gatwick Airport
Queen Elizabeth II officially opened British Airways Terminal 5 at London Heathrow on March 14, 2008. The site is comprised of the main building, along with satellite buildings B and C which are connected by a train or moving walkway, which is a nice walk after a long flight.
Phone number: 1 (800) 247-9297
Frequent Flyer Program / Global Alliance: Executive Club / Oneworld
Accidents and incidents:
On December 29, 2000, British Airways Flight 2069 was en route from London to Nairobi when a mentally ill passenger entered the cabin and seized the controls. As the pilots struggled to eliminate the intruder, the Boeing 747-400 stopped twice and leaned at 94 degrees. Several people on board were injured by the violent maneuvers that caused the plane to briefly descend at 30,000 feet per minute. The man was eventually detained with the help of several passengers and the copilot regained control.
The flight landed safely in Nairobi.
On January 17, 2008, British Airways Flight 38, crash landing, no fatalities, one serious injury and twelve minor injuries.
On December 22, 2013, British Airways Flight 34, an accident hit a building, there were no injuries among the crew or 189 passengers, however, four members of the ground crew were injured when the wing crashed into the building. [158]
Airline News: Media Center
Interesting fact: The British Airways Heritage Collection is an extensive archive documenting the formation, development and operations of British Airways and its predecessor companies. BA was created after the merger of British Overseas Airways Corporation and British European Airways, along with regional airlines Cambrian Airways and Northeast Airlines in 1974. After the airline was privatized in 1987, it was expanded by acquiring British Caledonian, Dan-Air and British Midland. The collection also houses airline memorabilia and artifacts, including more than 130 uniforms from the 1930s to the present day, along with a large collection of aircraft models and images.
