There can be few airlines that boast such a long and proud history as British Airways. Its forerunners were leading pioneers in the opening of new airline routes and the introduction of new types of aircraft. In the thirties we saw the luxurious Empire flying boats, in the fifties the introduction of BOAC's Comet, the world's first jet airliner and then on into the supersonic age, we saw Concorde enter service in the seventies - and that fabulous aeroplane is still seen today. Britain's premier airline is now amongst the world's élite, flying a wide range of the very latest airliners on short, medium and long-haul flights around the world.
This book begins with a look at the nationalised post war years of British European Airways and the British Overseas Airways Corporation. We then see the joining of these two under the banner of British Airways and follow its early history into successful privatisation and the airline's freedom to pursue new ventures. Every type of aircraft that has been operated by BA is described and the nuances of livery styles are illustrated in colour. Of particular interest is a chapter showing each of the tail designs from the colourful 'Utopia' world images style, catalogued so that individual aircraft bearing each of the 36 designs are identified.
British Airways has acquired airlines, invested in others and has franchise partners; these are identified and the aircraft described. The appendices include individual aircraft histories, abbreviations and a glossary.