British Airways: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox_Airline |
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| airline = British Airways |
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| logo = British Airways logo.png |
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| logo_size = |
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| IATA = BA |
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| ICAO = BAW<br />SHT<br />XMS |
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| callsign = [[Speedbird|SPEEDBIRD]]<br />SHUTTLE<br />SANTA |
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| parent = |
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| founded = 1924 (as [[Imperial Airways]]) |
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| key_people = [[Willie Walsh (Irish businessman)|Willie Walsh]] ([[Chief Executive]]) |
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| hubs = [[London Heathrow Airport]]<br />[[London Gatwick Airport]] |
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| headquarters = [[Waterside (building)|Waterside]], [[Harmondsworth]], [[England]], [[United Kingdom]] |
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| frequent_flyer = Executive Club <br/> Premier (Invitation only) |
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| lounge = Galleries First <br/ |
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>Galleries Club <br/ |
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>Galleries Arrivals <br/ |
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>Terraces Lounge <br />Arrivals lounge<br />First Lounge <br /> Concorde Room (LHR and JFK Only) |
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| alliance = [[Oneworld]] |
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| slogan = Upgrade to [[British Airways]] |
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| fleet_size = 235 (+62 orders) |
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| destinations = 147 in 75 countries (March 2007) |
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| website = http://www.britishairways.com |
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}} |
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{{For|the 1930s airline of similar name|British Airways Ltd}} |
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'''British Airways plc''' ({{lse|BAY}}) is the largest [[airline]] and [[flag carrier]] of the [[United Kingdom]] and one of the largest in [[Europe]]. Its main [[Airline hub|hubs]] are [[London Heathrow Airport|London Heathrow]] and [[London Gatwick Airport|London Gatwick]]. British Airways holds a [[Civil Aviation Authority of the United Kingdom|United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority]] Type A Operating Licence, and is permitted to carry passengers, cargo and mail on aircraft with 20 or more seats.<ref>[http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?categoryid=183&pagetype=90&pageid=340 Description of UK Civil Aviation Authority Type A Operating Licence]</ref> British Airways is a founding member of the [[Oneworld]] [[airline alliance]]. |
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The British Airways Group was formed on [[1 September]] [[1972]] consisting of [[British Overseas Airways Corporation|BOAC]] and [[British European Airways|BEA]]. These two companies were dissolved on [[31 March]] [[1974]] to form British Airways (BA). The company was privatised in February 1987. It expanded with the acquisition of [[British Caledonian]] in 1988 and some of the routes of Gatwick-based carrier [[Dan-Air]] in 1992. The formation of Richard Branson's [[Virgin Atlantic Airways|Virgin Atlantic]] in 1984 began a tense relationship with BA which ended in "one of the most bitter and protracted libel actions in aviation history" in 1993 in which BA apologised "unreservedly" for an alleged "dirty tricks" campaign against Virgin and paid damages and legal costs.<ref name="dirtytricks"/> |
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Traditionally a [[Boeing]] customer, BA placed its first direct order for [[Airbus]] aircraft in November 1998. The company's next major order was the commencement of its replacement of its long haul fleet, ordering Boeing 787s and Airbus A380s in 2007. British Airways' strategy and aircraft purchases are seen as an industry "benchmark" that influences other carriers' decisions.<ref name="benchmark"/> |
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In 2008 BA unveiled its new subsidiary [[OpenSkies]] which will take advantage of the liberalization of transatlantic traffic rights, and fly non-stop between major European cities and the United States. Operations are expected to begin with a single Boeing 757 in June 2008. |
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==History== |
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On [[31 March]] [[1924]], Britain's four pioneer airlines — [[Instone Air Line]], ok[[Handley Page Transport]], Daimler Airways and British Air Marine Navigation — merged to form [[Imperial Airways]], which developed its Empire routes to [[Australia]] and Africa.<ref name="FI">{{cite news | title= Directory: World Airlines | work= [[Flight International]] | page= 89 | date= [[27 March]] [[2007]]}}</ref> |
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Meanwhile a number of smaller UK air transport companies had started flights. These merged in 1935 to form the original privately owned [[British Airways Ltd.]] Following a government review, Imperial Airways and British Airways were nationalised in 1939 to form the [[British Overseas Airways Corporation]] (BOAC). Post-war, BOAC continued to operate long-haul services, other than routes to South America - these were flown by [[British South American Airways]], which was merged back into BOAC in 1949. Continental European and domestic flights were flown by a new nationalised airline, [[British European Airways]] (BEA), which compulsorily took over the routes of existing UK independent airlines.<ref name="FI"/> |
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In 1952 BOAC flew the [[De Havilland Comet]] to [[Johannesburg]], halving the previous flight time. The birth of the mass package-holiday business meant change for the airline industry. BEA met the challenge by establishing BEA Airtours in 1970. In 1972 BOAC and BEA were combined under the newly formed British Airways Board, with the separate airlines coming together as British Airways in 1974, under the guidance of [[David Nicolson]] as Chairman of the BA Board. British Airways, simultaneously with [[Air France]], inaugurated the world's first supersonic passenger service with [[Concorde]] in January 1976.<ref name="FI"/> |
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===Privatisation=== |
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[[John King, Baron King of Wartnaby|Sir John King]], later Lord King, was appointed as Chairman in 1981 with the mission of preparing the airline for privatisation. King hired [[Colin Marshall]] as CEO in 1983. King was credited with turning around the loss-making giant into one of the most profitable air carriers in the world, boldly claiming to be "The World's Favourite Airline", while many other large airlines struggled. The airline's fleet and route map were overhauled in the early years of King's tenure, with brand and advertising experts being recruited to change the airline's image. Over 23,000 jobs were shed in the early 1980s, though King managed the considerable trick of boosting staff morale and modernising operations at the same time. Offering generous inducements for people to leave led to record losses of £545 million, to the cost of taxpayers but to the benefit of the future privatised company. |
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The flag carrier was privatised and floated on the [[London Stock Exchange]] in February 1987 by the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] government, with the initial share offering being 11 times oversubscribed. In April 1988 British Airways effected the controversial takeover of Britain's "second" airline [[British Caledonian]], but kept the Caledonian name alive by rebranding its charter subsidiary [[British Airtours]] as [[Caledonian Airways]]. In 1992 absorbed some of the routes of Gatwick-based carrier [[Dan-Air]]. |
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==="Dirty tricks"=== |
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Soon after BA's privatisation, [[Richard Branson]]'s [[Virgin Atlantic Airways|Virgin Atlantic]], which began with one route and one [[Boeing 747]] in 1984, was beginning to emerge as a competitor on some of BA's most lucrative routes. Following Virgin's highly publicised mercy mission to [[Iraq]] to fly home hostages of [[Saddam Hussein]] in 1991, King is reported to have told Marshall and his PA Director [[David Burnside]] to "do something about Branson".<ref>{{cite book |last=Martyn |first=Gregory |title=Dirty Tricks: British Airways' Secret War Against Virgin Atlantic |year=2000 |publisher=Virgin |location=London |id=ISBN 0-7535-0458-8}}</ref> This began the campaign of "dirty tricks" that ended in Branson suing King and British Airways for [[libel]] in 1992. King countersued Branson and the case went to trial in 1993. British Airways, faced with likely defeat, settled the case, giving £500,000 to Branson and a further £110,000 to his airline; further, BA was to pay the legal fees of up to £3 million.<ref name="dirtytricks">{{cite news |title = BA dirty tricks against Virgin cost £3m |
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|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/january/11/newsid_2520000/2520189.stm |work = BBC: On This Day |publisher = BBC News |date = [[11 January]] [[1993]] |accessdate = 2006-10-23}}</ref> Branson divided his compensation among his staff, the so-called "BA bonus." |
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===Changes and subsidiaries=== |
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During the 1990s BA became the world's most profitable airline under the slogan "The World's Favourite Airline". In 1992 BA purchased the small German domestic airline Delta Air Transport and renamed it [[Deutsche BA]]. By the time it was sold in June 2003, DBA was operating 16 [[Boeing 737]]s and was the second-largest German domestic carrier, after [[Lufthansa]]. |
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Lord King stepped down as chairman in 1993 and was replaced by former deputy Colin Marshall, who initially combined the roles of CEO and Chairman. [[Bob Ayling]], who would later take on the role of CEO, was appointed [[Managing Director]] by Marshall. Lord King was appointed President, a role created specifically for him, and became President [[Emeritus]] in 1997, until his death in July 2005. |
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In 1995 BA formed '''British Asia Airways''', a subsidiary based in [[Republic of China|Taiwan]], to operate between [[London]] and [[Taipei]]. Owing to [[Foreign relations of the Republic of China#Relations with other countries|political sensitivities]], British Asia Airways not only had a different name, but also had a different livery, with the Union Jack tailfin being replaced by Chinese characters.<ref>[http://www.bamuseum.com/images/large/90-pres/90_13.jpg Photo]</ref> Many airlines followed the same practice, e.g., [[Qantas]] flew to Taiwan as "Australia Asia Airways" and [[KLM]]'s Taiwan operations became "KLM Asia". British Asia Airways ceased operation in 2001 when the airline suspended flights to [[Republic of China|Taiwan]] due to low yield. |
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===Bob Ayling era=== |
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{{main|Robert Ayling}} |
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In 1996 British Airways, with its newly appointed Chief Executive Bob Ayling, entered a period of turbulence. Increased competition, high oil prices and a strong pound hurt profits. BA management and trade unions clashed and the disruption cost the company hundreds of millions of pounds. In 1997 Ayling dropped BA's traditional Union Flag tailfin livery in favour of [[British Airways ethnic liveries|world design tailfins]], in an effort to change its image from a strictly British and aloof carrier to a more cosmopolitan airline. The move was not a success and Ayling slowed the process, eventually declaring the fleet would sport a dual livery; half a Union Flag design, half the world design tailfins. Ayling pursued antitrust immunity with [[American Airlines]], but this was unsuccessful due to the conditions placed on the deal by regulatory authorities, the most painful of which would have been the sacrifice of landing slots at Heathrow.<ref>[http://www.usdoj.gov/atr/public/comments/1777.htm Comments of Department of Justice on antitrusts immunity.]</ref> |
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Positive news during Ayling's leadership included cost savings of £750m and the establishment of the successful, but highly subsidised, [[Go Fly|Go]] in 1998. Go was a [[low-cost carrier]] intended to compete in the rapidly emerging "no-frills" segment. After four years of successful operations, the airline was sold off to venture capitalists [[3i]] and later merged with [[EasyJet]]. Ayling also sought a reduction of capacity, cancelling [[Boeing 747|Boeing 747-400]] orders in favour of the [[Boeing 777]] and rationalising BA's short-haul fleet with an order for the [[Airbus A320 family]]. |
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===Rod Eddington era=== |
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{{main|Rod Eddington}} |
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In 1999 British Airways reported a 50 percent slump in profits, its worst since privatisation. In March 2000 Bob Ayling was removed from his position. British Airways announced [[Rod Eddington]] as his successor in May. Eddington set about cutting the workforce further, dramatically so after the slump caused by the [[September 11, 2001 attacks|11 September attacks]] in 2001. |
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On [[8 September]] [[2004]] British Airways announced that it was to sell its 18.5 percent stake in [[Qantas]], but would continue the alliance (such as sharing revenue), particularly on the [[Kangaroo route]]s. The £425 million raised was used to reduce the airline's debt. |
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Marshall, who had been appointed a [[life peer]] in 1998, retired as Chairman in July 2004 and was replaced by Martin Broughton, former Chairman of [[British American Tobacco]]. On [[8 March]] [[2005]], Broughton announced that former [[Aer Lingus]] CEO [[Willie Walsh]] would take over from Rod Eddington upon his retirement in September 2005. |
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===Willie Walsh era=== |
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{{main|Willie Walsh}} |
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In September 2005 new CEO Willie Walsh, former Aer Lingus boss, announced dramatic changes to the management of British Airways, with the aim of saving £300 million by 2008, the cost of the move to Heathrow's Terminal 5. He has presided over the disposal of [[BA Connect]] to [[Flybe]], with Walsh stating "Despite the best efforts of the entire team at BA Connect, we do not see any prospect of profitability in its current form." BA has retained a 15% stake in Flybe following the sale. |
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Since 2004, BA has strongly marketed the full-service nature of its domestic flights (i.e the use of principal airports, free food and drink) in response to the low cost operators' aggressive pricing, even though its main full-service UK rival [[British Midland|bmi]] has now abandoned some "frills" on its domestic network. Walsh on the other hand pledged to retain the full-service model, and sees it as a means of distinguishing BA from the competition and that customers will still be willing to pay extra for added levels of service. |
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The airline won the [[Skytrax]] Airline of the Year award in 2006 for the first time.<ref>[http://www.worldairlineawards.com/Awards-2006/AirlineYear-2006.htm British Airways wins Skytrax Airline of the Year] World Airline Awards</ref> It also won ''OAG Airline of the Year 2007'', ''Best Airline Based in Western Europe 2007'', ''Best Transatlantic Airline 2007'', and ''Best Europe - Asia/Australasia Airline 2007''' in the Airline of the Year Awards run by UK-based [[OAG]].<ref>[http://sev.prnewswire.com/travel/20070418/AQW08918042007-1.html OAG Worldwide :: British Airways Takes Top Honors at the 25th Anniversary OAG Airline of the Year Awards<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> However the Airport Transport Users Council rate BA as the worst European carrier for baggage handling.<ref> {{cite news | title = British Airways: fly the flag - lose your bag | publisher = The Guardian | date = [[23 June]] [[2007]] | url = |
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http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2007/apr/04/travelnews.britishairways.theairlineindustry}}</ref> |
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BA's London Heathrow baggage system has insufficient capacity to deal with the number of bags passing through it, according to BBC news. BA lost on average 3000 pieces of baggage per day.<ref> {{cite news | title = Heathrow works to clear bag delay| publisher = BBC News | date = [[7 October]] [[2006]] | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/6286848.stm}}</ref> |
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===Price-fixing=== |
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On [[1 August]] [[2007]], British Airways was fined £121.5 million<ref> {{cite news | title = BA gets £121.5m price-fixing fine| publisher = BBC News | date = [[8 January]] [[2007]] | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6925397.stm}}</ref> for price-fixing. The fine was imposed by the [[Office of Fair Trading]] (OFT) after BA admitted to the price-fixing of fuel surcharges on long haul flights. The allegation first came to light in 2006 when [[Virgin Atlantic Airways|Virgin Atlantic]] reported the events to the authorities after it found staff members from BA and Virgin Atlantic were colluding. Virgin Atlantic have since been granted immunity by both the OFT and the [[United States Department of Justice]] who have been investigating the allegations since June 2006. The US DOJ later announced that it would fine British Airways [[$]]300 million (£148 million) for price fixing. |
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The allegations are thought to be linked to the resignation of commercial director Martin George and communications chief Iain Burns.{{Fact|date=March 2008}} Although BA said fuel surcharges were "a legitimate way of recovering costs", in May 2007 it put aside £350 million for legal fees and fines. |
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===Terminal 5=== |
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[[Heathrow#Terminal_5|Heathrow Terminal 5]] was built exclusively for the use of British Airways at a cost of £4.3 billion and officially opened by [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Queen Elizabeth II]] on [[14 March]] [[2008]]. It opened to passengers on [[27 March]] [[2008]], however a number of serious problems immediately arose. Staff were unable to find the car parks and there were not enough spaces available leading to confusion and delays getting to work. Long queues formed for staff security checks and the belts carrying the bags became clogged as they were not being unloaded quickly enough. The baggage handling system also malfunctioned due to technical problems. At one stage, BA were forced to stop checking in bags as large queues formed at the fast bag drop and seven flights departed with no baggage loaded. |
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In the first five days, a backlog of 28,000 bags built up and over 300 flights were cancelled. BA initially handed out leaflets to passengers of delayed or cancelled flights offering up to £100 compensation to cover the cost of a hotel room for two passengers. This was criticised by the UK's Consumer Watchdog for the Aviation Industry, the Air Transport Users Council, as being a clear breach of regulation [[European Commission Regulation 261/2004|261/2004]] and BA were forced to accept claims for "reasonable costs". |
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Willie Walsh commented that it "was not our finest hour" and "the buck stops with me". However two directors left the company on [[15 April]] [[2008]] as a direct result of the poor transition into BA's "Amazing new home". Problems with baggage capacity continue and BA have delayed moving its Terminal 4 longhaul flights into Terminal 5 until at least June 2008 with the final transfer not expected until October 2008. |
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==Financial performance== |
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{|class="toccolours sortable" border="1" cellpadding="3" style="border-collapse:collapse" |
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|+ '''British Airways Financial Performance''' |
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|- |
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! Year Ended |
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! Passengers Flown<ref>[http://www.bashares.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=69499&p=irol-reportsannual BA Shares] British Airways shareholder 'Reports & Accounts' Archive</ref> |
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! Turnover (£m) |
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! Profit/Loss Before Tax (£m) |
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! Net Profit/Loss (£m) |
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! Basic [[earnings per share|EPS]] (p) |
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|- |
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| [[March 31]] [[2007]] |
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| 33,068,000 |
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| 8,492 |
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| 611 |
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| 438 |
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| 25.5 |
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|- |
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| [[March 31]] [[2006]] (Restated)* |
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| 32,432,000 |
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| 8,213 |
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| 616 |
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| 464 |
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| 40.4 |
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|- |
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| [[March 31]] [[2006]] |
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| 35,634,000 |
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| 8,515 |
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| 620 |
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| 467 |
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| 40.4 |
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|- |
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| [[March 31]] [[2005]] |
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| 35,717,000 |
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| 7,772 |
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| 513 |
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| 392 |
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| 35.2 |
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|- |
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| [[March 31]] [[2004]] |
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| 36,103,000 |
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| 7,560 |
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| 230 |
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| 130 |
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| 12.1 |
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|- |
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| [[March 31]] [[2003]] |
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| 38,019,000 |
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| 7,688 |
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| 135 |
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| 72 |
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| 6.7 |
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|- |
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| [[March 31]] [[2002]] |
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| 40,004,000 |
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| 8,340 |
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| (200) |
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| (142) |
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| (13.2) |
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|- |
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| [[March 31]] [[2001]] |
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| 36,221,000 |
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| 9,278 |
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| 150 |
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| 114 |
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| 10.5 |
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|- |
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| [[March 31]] [[2000]] |
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| 36,346,000 |
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| 8,940 |
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| 5 |
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| (21) |
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| (2.0) |
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|- |
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| [[March 31]] [[1999]] |
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| 37,090,000 |
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| 8,915 |
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| 225 |
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| 206 |
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| 19.5 |
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|- |
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| [[March 31]] [[1998]] |
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| 34,377,000 |
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| 8,642 |
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| 580 |
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| 460 |
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| 44.7 |
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|- |
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| [[March 31]] [[1997]] |
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| 33,440,000 |
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| 8,359 |
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| 640 |
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| 553 |
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| 55.7 |
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|- |
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| [[March 31]] [[1996]] |
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| 32,272,000 |
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| 7,760 |
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| 585 |
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| 473 |
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| 49.4 |
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|} |
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<nowiki>*</nowiki> Restated for the disposal of the regional business of BA Connect. |
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==Destinations== |
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{{main |British Airways destinations|British Airways franchise destinations}} |
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<center> |
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{| border="1" cellpadding="3" style="border-collapse:collapse" class="wikitable sortable" |
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|+ '''Route Changes''' |
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|-bgcolor=lightgrey |
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!Origin |
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!Destination |
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!Start Date |
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!End Date |
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!Notes |
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|- |
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|[[London Gatwick]] |
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|[[Ibiza Airport|Ibiza]] |
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|[[10 June]] 2008 |
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| |
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|Replacing former GB Airways route |
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|- |
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|London Gatwick |
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|[[Paphos International Airport|Paphos]] |
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|[[1 July]] 2008<ref name="08changes"/> |
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| |
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|Replacing former GB Airways route |
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|- |
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|[[London Heathrow]] |
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|[[Rajiv Gandhi International Airport|Hyderabad]] |
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|[[27 October]] 2008 |
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| |
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| |
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|- |
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|[[VC Bird International Airport|Antigua]] |
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|[[Hewanorra International Airport|St Lucia]] |
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| |
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|[[27 October]] 2008 |
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|Withdrawn as flights to St Lucia will operate direct from London |
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|- |
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|[[Grantley Adams International Airport|Bridgetown]] |
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|[[Piarco International Airport|Port of Spain]] |
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| |
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|[[27 October]] 2008 |
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|Withdrawn as flights to Port of Spain will operate via St Lucia |
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|- |
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|[[São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport|Sao Paulo]] |
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|[[Rio de Janeiro-Galeão International Airport|Rio De Janeiro]] |
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| |
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|[[27 October]] 2008 |
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|Withdrawn as flights to Rio De Janeiro will operate direct from London |
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|- |
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|St Lucia |
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|Port of Spain |
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|[[27 October]] 2008 |
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| |
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| |
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|- |
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|London Gatwick |
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|[[John F. Kennedy International Airport|New York-JFK]] |
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|[[27 October]] 2008 |
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| |
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| |
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|- |
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|London Gatwick |
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|[[Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport|Oporto]] |
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|[[27 October]] 2008 |
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| |
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| |
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|- |
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|London Gatwick |
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|[[Valencia International Airport|Valencia]] |
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|[[27 October]] 2008 |
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| |
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| |
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|- |
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|[[Manchester]] |
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|New York-JFK |
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| |
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|[[26 October]] 2008 |
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|Withdrawn to enable new flights from LGW to JFK |
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|- |
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|[[London City Airport|London City]] |
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|New York-JFK |
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|2009 |
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| |
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|Pending delivery of new A318 aircraft. All Club World configuration |
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|} |
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</center> |
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*From October 2008 additional services to [[Hewanorra International Airport|St Lucia]] and [[Rio de Janeiro-Galeão International Airport|Rio De Janeiro]] will operate direct from London. |
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*From 27th October 2008 flights to [[Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport|Warsaw]] will move from [[London-Gatwick]] to [[London-Heathrow]], after being at Gatwick for only 7 months. |
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==Fleet== |
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[[Image:ba a319-100 g-eups arp.jpg|thumb|right|[[Airbus A320 family|Airbus A319-100]]]] |
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[[Image:ba a320-200 g-euur arp.jpg|thumb|right|[[Airbus A320 family|Airbus A320-200]]]] |
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[[Image:ba a321-200 g-euxd arp.jpg|thumb|right|[[Airbus A321-200]]]] |
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[[Image:B737-baw-g-gffd.jpg|thumb|right|[[Boeing 737|Boeing 737-500]]]] |
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[[Image:ba b747-400 g-bnle arp.jpg|thumb|right|[[Boeing 747-400]]]] |
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[[Image:ba b757-200 g-bpee arp.jpg|thumb|right|[[Boeing 757-200]]]] |
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[[Image:ba b767-300 g-bnwb arp.jpg|thumb|right|[[Boeing 767-300]]]] |
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[[Image:ba b777-200 g-ymmd arp.jpg|thumb|right|[[Boeing 777-200]]]] |
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[[Image:concorde g-boab in storage arp.jpg|thumb|right|[[Concorde]] G-BOAB in storage at [[London Heathrow Airport]] following the end of all Concorde flying. This aircraft flew for 22296 hours between its first flight in 1976 and its final flight in 2000.]] |
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With the exception of the [[Boeing 707]] and [[Boeing 747]] from BOAC, the airline as formed in 1972-4 inherited a mainly [[UK]] built fleet of aircraft. The airline introduced the [[Boeing 737]] and [[Boeing 757]] into the fleet in the 1980s, followed by the [[Boeing 747-400]], [[Boeing 767]] and [[Boeing 777]] in the nineties. However, with the exception of 29 of its 777 fleet, it has often equipped its Boeing aircraft with British-made [[Rolls-Royce plc|Rolls-Royce]] engines (examples include the Trent 800 on its Boeing 777s, the RB211-524 on its 747-400s and 767s and also RB211-535s on its 757-200s). This goes back to the 1960s when the company ordered [[Boeing 707]]s — a condition was placed on the company that it used Rolls-Royce power for the new jets. BA inherited BOAC's [[List of Boeing customer codes|Boeing airline code]] (36). Boeing aircraft built for British Airways have the suffix 36, for example 737-236, 747-436, 777-236.<ref>[http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?catid=60&pagetype=65&appid=1&mode=summary&aircrafttype=Boeing&owner=British%20Airways CAA Aircraft Register (Boeing aircraft registered to British Airways]</ref> |
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Although it had a large Boeing fleet it has always operated other aircraft. British built aircraft were transferred from BEA (e.g. [[Hawker Siddeley Trident|Trident]]) and BOAC (e.g. [[Vickers VC10|VC10]]), and in the 1980s the airline bought the [[Lockheed Tristar]]. It has also acquired through the buyout of [[British Caledonian|British Caledonian Airways]] in the 1980s the [[McDonnell Douglas DC-10]] and [[Airbus A320]]. In the late 1990s British Airways placed its own first direct Airbus order, for over 100 A320/A319s to replace its own aging fleet of Boeing 737s. In September 2007 BA placed its first order for longhaul Airbus jets, 12 [[Airbus A380]]s with 7 options.<ref>[http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/transport/article2542504.ece BA breaks Boeing loyalty with Airbus order]</ref> |
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BA was one of only two operators of the supersonic Aerospatiale-BAC [[Concorde]] [[supersonic]] [[airliner]], (the other being the state-owned [[Air France]]) with a daily service between Heathrow and [[John F. Kennedy International Airport|New York JFK]] (although the original service was from London to [[Bahrain]]). Initially, Concorde was a financial burden, placed on the national carrier by the government, and attracted criticism from the press as a white elephant. However [[John King, Baron King of Wartnaby|Lord King]] recognised the charismatic importance of Concorde to British Airways. BA used Concorde to win business customers, guaranteeing a certain number of Concorde upgrades in return for corporate accounts with the airline - a key factor in winning business from transatlantic competitors. |
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With the [[Air France Flight 4590|Paris Crash]] in 2000, the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]] and escalating maintenance costs, the future of Concorde was limited despite the expensive modifications after the crash. It was announced (on [[10 April]] [[2003]]) that, after [[24 October]] [[2003]], they would cease scheduled services with Concorde, due to depressed passenger numbers. The last day of its Saturday-only London Heathrow to [[Barbados]] Concorde flight was on [[30 August]] [[2003]]. The airline still owns 8 Concordes which are on long term loan to museums in the UK, U.S. and Barbados. |
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The British Airways fleet includes the following aircraft as of September 2007:<ref>[http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?categoryid=60&pagetype=65&applicationid=1&mode=summary&owner=BRITISH%20AIRWAYS UK CAA Aircraft Register]</ref> |
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<center> |
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{| class="toccolours" border="1" cellpadding="3" style="border-collapse:collapse" |
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|+ '''British Airways Fleet''' |
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|- bgcolor=#9592C6 |
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!Aircraft |
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!Total |
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!Passengers <br> <small>(First/Business/Premium Economy/Economy)</small> |
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!Routes |
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!Notes |
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|- |
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|[[Airbus A318]] |
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|(2 orders) |
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|32 |
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|LCY to NYC |
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|Features Club World seats |
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|- |
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|[[Airbus A319]] |
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|33 |
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|132 |
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|LHR to Europe and UK<br>LGW to Europe and UK |
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| |
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|- |
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|[[Airbus A320]] |
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|25 <br> (19 orders) |
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|149 <br> 150 <br> 156 |
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|LHR to Europe and UK |
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| |
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|- |
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|[[Airbus A321]] |
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|11 <br> (1 order) |
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|194 |
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|LHR to Europe and UK |
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| |
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|- |
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|[[Airbus A380|Airbus A380-800]] |
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|(12 orders) <br> (7 options) |
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| |
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|LHR to New York, LA, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Sydney |
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|Rolls Royce Engines (RR) <br> Entry into service: 2012 |
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|- |
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|[[Boeing 737 Classic|Boeing<br>737-300]] |
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|5 |
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|126 |
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|LGW to Europe and UK |
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|Exit from service: 2009 <br> Replacement aircraft: [[Airbus A319]] |
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|- |
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|[[Boeing 737 Classic|Boeing<br>737-400]] |
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|19 |
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|147 |
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|LGW to Europe and UK |
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| |
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|- |
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|[[Boeing 737 Classic|Boeing<br>737-500]] |
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|9 |
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|110 |
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|LGW to Europe and UK |
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|Exit from service: 2009 <br> Replacement aircraft: [[Airbus A319]] |
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|- |
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|[[Boeing 747-400]] |
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|57 |
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|291 (14/70/30/177) <br> 299 (14/70/30/185) <br> 337 (14/52/36/235) <br> 351 (14/38/36/263) |
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|LHR to Africa, Asia, Australia, North America and South America |
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|BA has the largest fleet of -400 series 747s in the world. |
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|-Exit from service 2011 through 2014 replacement aircraft A380 |
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|[[Boeing 757|Boeing<br>757-200]] |
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|13 |
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|180 |
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|LHR to Europe and UK |
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|6 aircraft will be transferred to '[[OpenSkies]]' subsidiary by end of 2009 |
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|- |
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|[[Boeing 767|Boeing<br>767-300ER]] |
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|21 |
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|173 (-/24/24/125) <br> 252 (252) |
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|LHR and MAN to Africa, Caribbean, Europe and North America |
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|Exit from service: 2010-ongoing <br> Replacement aircraft: [[Boeing 787]] |
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|- |
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|[[Boeing 777|Boeing<br>777-200]] |
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|3 |
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|229 (14/48/40/127) |
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|LHR to Africa, Asia and North America |
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| |
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|- |
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|[[Boeing 777|Boeing<br>777-200ER]] |
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|39 <br> (4 orders) <br> (4 options) |
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|280 (-/40/24/216) <br> 224 (14/48/40/122) <br> 290 (-/38/40/212) |
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|LGW and LHR to Africa, Asia, Australasia, Caribbean and North America |
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|Mix of [[Rolls-Royce Trent]] and [[General Electric GE90]] engines |
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|- |
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|[[Boeing 787|Boeing 787-8]] |
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|(8 orders) <br> (16 options) <br> (10 rights for 787 family) |
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| |
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| |
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|[[Rolls-Royce Trent]] 1000 engines <br> Entry into service: 2010 <br> Replaces 767-300ER |
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|- |
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|[[Boeing 787|Boeing 787-9]] |
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|(16 orders) <br> (16 options) <br> (10 rights for 787 family) |
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| |
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| |
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|[[Rolls-Royce Trent]] 1000 engines <br> Entry into service: 2010 <br> Replaces 767-300ER |
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|- |
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|} |
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</center> |
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Details of the fleet of British Airways subsidiary [[BA CityFlyer]] can be found in the related article. Details of the fleets of British Airways' franchises which use the British Airways name and logo can be found on articles: [[Loganair]] (until October 2008), [[Sun Air of Scandinavia|Sun Air]] and [[Comair (South Africa)|Comair]]. |
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In March 2008, the average age of British Airways fleet was 11.3 years. <ref>[http://www.airfleets.net/ageflotte/British%20Airways.htm British Airways Average Fleet Age]</ref> |
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British Airways offers either three or four classes of service on their long haul international routes. World Traveller (Economy Class), World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy) and Club World (Business Class) always feature. All [[Boeing 747]] aircraft and most [[Boeing 777]] aircraft are also fitted with FIRST (First Class). |
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===Aircraft operated=== |
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The airline has operated the following aircraft (with in-service date): |
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* 1974 - [[BAC One-Eleven|BAC One-Eleven 500]] |
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* 1974 - [[Boeing 707|Boeing 707-420]] |
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* 1974 - [[Boeing 747|Boeing 747-100]] |
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* 1974 - [[Hawker Siddeley Trident]] |
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* 1974 - [[Lockheed Tristar|Lockheed Tristar 1]] |
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* 1974 - [[Vickers VC10]] |
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* 1974 - [[Vickers VC10|Vickers Super VC10]] |
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* 1974 - [[Vickers Vanguard]] |
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* 1974 - [[Vickers Viscount]] |
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* 1975 - [[Avro 748|Hawker Siddley 748]] |
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* 1976 - [[Concorde|Aérospatiale-BAC Concorde]] |
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* 1977 - [[Boeing 747|Boeing 747-200]] |
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* 1980 - [[Boeing 737|Boeing 737-200]] |
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* 1980 - [[Lockheed Tristar|Lockheed Tristar 500]] |
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* 1981 - [[CH-47 Chinook|Boeing 234 Commercial Chinook]] |
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* 1983 - [[Boeing 757|Boeing 757-200]] |
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* 1988 - [[Douglas DC-10|Douglas DC-10-30]] |
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* 1988 - [[Airbus A320|Airbus A320-100]] |
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* 1989 - [[Boeing 747-400]] |
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* 1990 - [[Boeing 767|Boeing 767-300]] |
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* 1991 - [[Boeing 737|Boeing 737-400]] |
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* 1997 - [[Boeing 777|Boeing 777-200]] |
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* 1999 - [[Airbus A319]] |
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* 2000 - [[Boeing 737|Boeing 737-500]] |
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* 2001 - [[Boeing 737|Boeing 737-300]] |
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* 2002 - [[Airbus A320|Airbus A320-200]] |
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* 2004 - [[Airbus A321]] |
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===Future=== |
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British Airways has 32 outstanding options with Airbus, which may be taken as any member of the A320 family. Secured delivery positions on 10 Boeing 777 aircraft are held.<ref>[http://library.corporate-ir.net/library/69/694/69499/items/219506/Interim_2007.pdf BA Interim Financial Results 2006 Q3]</ref> |
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On [[18 May]] [[2007]], BA announced that it has placed a firm order with Airbus for eight new [[A320]] aircraft. The new aircraft are due for delivery from 2008. They will be delivered to LHR displacing [[A319]]s to LGW which in turn will replace elderly [[Boeing 737]]-300/500, the leases on which expire at this time.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/05/18/213907/british-airways-reveals-plans-for-replacing-gatwick-boeing-737.html | title=British Airways reveal plans to replacing Gatwick 737 fleet| access date=2008-02-05}}</ref> |
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On [[27 March]] [[2007]], British Airways placed a firm order for four 777-200ER aircraft with an option for four more, with the order totalling more than US$800 million at list price. The company has stated that these are for fleet expansion.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420AP_Boeing_Order.html | title=British Airways to pay Boeing $800M for 4 big jets; 4 more in the pipeline| accessdate=2007-03-27}}</ref> BA's first batch of 777 were fitted with [[General Electric GE90]] engines, but BA switched to [[Rolls-Royce plc|Rolls Royce]] [[Trent 800]]s for the most recent 16 aircraft. This has been continued with the most recent 4 orders as [[Trent 800]] engines were selected as the engine choice. |
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On [[27 September]] [[2007]], BA announced their biggest order since 1998 by ordering 36 new long haul aircraft. The company ordered 12 [[A380]]s with options on a further 7, and 24 [[Boeing 787]]s with options on a further 18. [[Rolls Royce Trent]] engines were selected for both orders with [[Trent 900]]s powering the A380s and [[Trent 1000]]s powering the 787s. The new aircraft will be delivered between 2010 and 2014.<ref name='baorder'>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=BA opts for A380 and Dreamliner | date=[[2007-09-27]] | publisher=[[BBC]] | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7015621.stm | work =BBC News Online | pages = | accessdate = 2007-09-27 | language = }}</ref> The Boeing 787s will replace 14 of British Airways' Boeing 767 fleet and the Airbus A380s will replace 20 of BA's oldest Boeing 747-400s and will most likely be used to increase capacity on routes to [[Bangkok]], [[Cape Town]], [[Hong Kong]], [[Johannesburg]], [[Singapore]], and [[Sydney]] from [[London Heathrow Airport|London Heathrow]].<ref name='a380usage'>{{cite news | first=Emmet | last=Oliver | coauthors= Andrea Rothman | title=British Airways Purchases 36 Airbus, Boeing Airliners (Update7) | date=[[2007-09-27]] | publisher=[[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]] | url =http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a.eYiWz1eRi4&refer=home | work =Bloomberg.com | pages = | accessdate = 2007-09-27 | language = }}</ref><ref name='nextorderref'>{{cite news | first=Victoria | last=Moores | coauthors= | title=BA to decide on remaining long-haul renewal in 2008–09 | date=2007-09-27 | publisher= | url =http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/09/27/217256/ba-to-decide-on-remaining-long-haul-renewal-in-2008-09.html | work =Flightglobal.com | pages = | accessdate = 2007-09-27 | language = }}</ref> |
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On [[1 February]] [[2008]] it was announced that BA had ordered two [[Airbus]] [[A318]]s to operate a premium service out of [[London City Airport]] to [[New York]]. The service, which will see the A318s fitted out with 32 lie flat beds in an all business class cabin, is expected to start in [[2009]]. The [[A318]] is the largest aircraft able to operate out of London City Airport. On [[4 February]] [[2008]] the engine selection was announced as the CFM International - CFM56. Most of BA's fleet of [[A320]] family aircraft are powered by IAE [[V2500]] however these engines are not available to power the A318. It was subsequently announced that this route will include a westbound fuel stop.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/02/04/221293/ba-all-business-flights-to-include-westbound-fuel-stop.html | title=BA All Business Flights to Include Westbound Fuel Stop| access date=2008-02-05}}</ref> |
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BA's next order is expected to occur sometime in 2008 or 2009. This order will be for the replacement of their 37 remaining 747-400s. The candidate aircraft are the [[Airbus A350 XWB]], the prospective [[Boeing 787-10]] and [[Boeing 777-300ER]].<ref name='nextorderref' /> |
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===Marketing=== |
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The musical theme predominantly used on British Airways advertising is "Flower Duet" by [[Léo Delibes]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chrisworthproductions.com/track_details.php?id=858|title=Flower Duet (From Lakme) by Leo Delibes - - Chris Worth Productions|accessdate=2007-06-08}}</ref> This, and the slogan "The World's Favourite Airline" were introduced in 1989 with the launch of the iconic "Face" advertisement.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxs106rp5RQ|title=1989 British Airways Commercial|accessdate=2008-19-01}}</ref> The slogan was dropped in 2001, after having been overtaken by [[Lufthansa]] in terms of passenger numbers. However, "Flower Duet" is still used by the airline, and has been through several different arrangements since 1989. The most recent was introduced in 2007,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUqNDisBi8c&feature=related|title=BA Latest TV AD: Sydney|accessdate=2008-19-01}}</ref> along with the current advertising slogan, "Upgrade to British Airways". |
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The advertising agency used for many years by BA was [[Saatchi & Saatchi]], who created many of the most famous advertisements for the airline.<ref name='saatchiref'>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title= Saatchi & Saatchi: The agency that made Tory history | date=[[2007-09-17]] | publisher= | url =http://news.independent.co.uk/media/article2968784.ece | work =[[The Independent]] | pages = | accessdate = 2007-09-27 | language = }}</ref> It created the "Face" commercial for the airline; its success was imitated by [[Silverjet]] in 2007, who created a similar advert. |
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Prior to "The World's Favourite Airline", advertising slogans included: |
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*"The World's Best Airline". |
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*"We'll Take More Care Of You". |
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*"Fly the Flag", featuring Flight Attendant [[Roz Hanby]], who gained brief "celebrity" status as a result <ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_attendant#Notable_flight_attendants</ref> |
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As of June 2007, BA's advertising agency is [[Bartle Bogle Hegarty]].<ref name='adref'> {{cite web|url=http://www.bartleboglehegarty.com/Europe/Clients%20Work.aspx |title=Clients & Work - Bartle Bogle Hegarty |accessdate=2007-09-27 }}</ref> |
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British Airways is the official airline of the [[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon Championship tennis tournament]].<ref>[http://agency.com/facts/press_release.asp?pid=63 Agency.com British Airways Reminds Visitors to Leave Air Horn, Chili Dog At Home During Wimbledon<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |
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British Airways is the official airline of the [[London 2012 Olympics]]. |
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===Tail fins=== |
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{| align=right |
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|[[Image:BA b767-300.g-bzhb.800pix.jpg|thumb|right|British Airways [[Boeing 767]], featuring [[British Airways ethnic liveries|Ethnic art tailfin]].]] |
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|- |
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|[[Image:blue.peter.ba.b757.london.arp.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Blue Peter]] special-paint British Airways [[Boeing 757]]-200]] |
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|} |
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{{further|[[British Airways ethnic liveries]]}} |
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Since its formation in 1974, though to a limited extent until all aircraft were repainted, British Airways aeroplanes carried a [[Union Flag]] scheme painted on their tail fins. The original predominantly red tail scheme was changed with the launch of a new livery designed by the New York design agency, Landor Associates. The new tail was predominantly dark blue and carried the British Airways Coat of Arms. On [[10 June]] [[1997]] they began to be repainted (and the planes re-named) with abstract world images, [[Delft pottery]] or [[calligraphy|Chinese calligraphy]] for example, relating to countries they fly to. This caused problems with [[air traffic control]]: previously controllers had been able to tell pilots to follow a BA plane, but because they were each painted in different colours they were harder to identify. |
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On [[6 June]] [[1999]], BA chief executive [[Bob Ayling]] announced that all BA planes would be repainted with the [[Chatham Dockyard]] Union Flag, based on a design first used on [[Concorde]]. |
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==Cabins== |
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=== United Kingdom internal flights === |
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'''UK Domestic''' seat pitch is 31" on all aircraft and the seats are in a one-class configuration. Food on these services depends on the destination and time of day. On all UK Domestic services, a breakfast meal is served before 10am and after 10am there is a drinks service, with a light snack from Heathrow and Gatwick. The exception is for Scottish flights to and from Heathrow in the evening, where a meal size salad is served. |
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'''Business UK''' has exactly the same service (same cabin) as UK Domestic, with a fully flexible ticket and lounge access. |
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=== Europe === |
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'''Euro Traveller''' seat pitch is 31", except on Boeing 757 aircraft where it is 32" and Airbus A321 aircraft where it is 30". Food on board depends on the destination "band" (e.g. Band 1 to Paris, Band 3 to Rome, Band 4 to Athens). In-flight entertainment is offered on Band 4 flights on aircraft with suitable equipment. |
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'''Club Europe''' is the [[business class]] product of British Airways, offered on all shorthaul routes. Passengers have access to business lounges at most airports and are also served a full English breakfast in the mornings and afternoon tea later in the day. Seat pitch is 34". On narrowbody aircraft, Club Europe has 5 rather than 6 seats across, in a 2+3 configuration. |
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=== International outside Europe === |
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[[Image:BA New Club World seat.jpg|thumb|right|Club World seat.]] |
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[[Image:BA World Traveller cabin.jpg|thumb|right|World Traveller cabin.]] |
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'''FIRST''' is the long haul [[First class travel|first class]] product on British Airways and is offered only on BA's [[Boeing 777]] and [[Boeing 747]] and some Boeing 767 aircraft. In it are thirteen or fourteen private "demi-cabins" with 6' 6" beds, in-seat power for laptops, personal phones, and entertainment facilities. Meals are available on demand. BA offers dedicated check-in facilities at some airports. |
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'''Club World''' is the longhaul business class product of British Airways. Passengers have access to business lounges at most airports. On [[13 November]] [[2006]], British Airways launched a new Club World service, offering larger seats and a service revamp. The service offers a 6' 6" 20" wide flat bed, with 24 seats on the 767-300ER, either 40 or 48 seats on the 777-200, and, since 2007, either 52 or 70 seats on the 747-400. |
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'''World Traveller''' and '''World Traveller Plus''' are the two main economy classes offered internationally on British Airways. World Traveller is [[Economy class|standard economy]] and offers a 31" seat pitch. World Traveller Plus is [[Premium Economy|premium economy]] and, in comparison to World Traveller, offers a better (38") seat pitch, fewer seats abreast, and in-seat laptop power. |
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==== Special cabin configuration ==== |
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In 2001, British Airways became the first carrier to introduce a ten abreast economy class configuration on the [[Boeing 777]], an aircraft which had been designed for nine abreast seating. This utilised specially built narrow seats, and narrow aisles, and was applied to 3 GE-engined 777-236ERs (G-VIIO / MSN 29320, G-VIIP / MSN 29321 and G-VIIR / MSN 29322) used predominantly on Caribbean routes, but sometimes flown to and from Florida. Since BA piloted this development, the configuration has been emulated by [[Emirates Airline]] and [[China Southern]]. British Airways have removed this configuration now returning to nine abreast seating. |
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{{clear}} |
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==Operations== |
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British Airways is held in high standing internationally.<ref name="benchmark">[http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/transport/article2546862.ece Analysis: double-decker aircraft for those going East - Times Online<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Accordingly BA's major strategic and selection decisions are watched by competitors, and often mirrored by the industry.<ref name="benchmark" /> BA gains benefit from this: for example, the September 2007 order of 12 [[Airbus A380]]s were thought to have been sold at a 50% discount from list in view of the potential "landslide" impact on other potential purchasers.<ref name="benchmark" /> |
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BA is based at [[London Heathrow Airport]] in [[London]], [[England]]. It also has a presence at [[London Gatwick Airport|Gatwick]] and previously had a significant hub at [[Manchester Airport|Manchester International Airport]], but this was much reduced in 2007 after the sale of BA Connect, in common with operations from other UK airports. BA has succeeded in dominating Heathrow to the point that the airport is commonly referred to as ''Fortress Heathrow'' within both the airline and its competitors.<ref name='fortressref'> {{cite web|url=http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmselect/cmtran/395/395we05.htm |title=House of Commons - Transport - Written Evidence |accessdate=2007-09-27 |date=[[2007-03-12]] |work=United Kingdom [[Hansard]] |publisher=[[Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland]] }}</ref> |
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As an incumbent airline, BA had ''[[Grandfather clause|grandfather rights]]'' to around 36% of takeoff and landing slots at Heathrow, many of which are used for the lucrative trans-Atlantic market. Some competitors, such as [[Virgin Atlantic Airways|Virgin Atlantic]] and [[Bmi (airline)|bmi]], assert that this stifles competition and some political think-tanks recommend an auction of slots. In recent years British Airways has been buying slots from other airlines including [[United Airlines]], [[Bmi (airline)|bmi]], [[Brussels Airlines]], [[GB Airways]] and [[Swiss International Air Lines]], and now owns about 40% of slots at Heathrow.<ref name='slotsref'>{{cite news | first=David | last=Gow | coauthors= | title=BA outbid for Heathrow slots | date=[[2004-01-21]] | publisher= | url =http://www.guardian.co.uk/ba/story/0,,1127473,00.html | work =[[The Guardian]] | pages = | accessdate = 2007-09-27 | language = }}</ref> |
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Although British Airways describes itself as the 'National Carrier of the United Kingdom'{{Fact|date=April 2008}}, it does not have a presence in [[Wales]] and services to all airports 'north of Watford' were severely truncated in March 2007. BA aims to fly UK passengers through its congested Heathrow and Gatwick hubs. However, this policy is now being successfully countered by foreign carriers such as Emirates, who fly direct from several UK provincial airports to Dubai, Abu Dhabi etc and onwards from those hubs to Asia and Australasia. [[Image:DSCF1934d submitted.jpg|thumb|right|British Airways aircraft dominate at Terminal 4 at Heathrow Airport]] |
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Traditionally viewed as a full fare airline, BA operations in some ways resemble those of a budget airline; notably in the February 2007 decision to charge up to £240 for a second piece of hold luggage.<ref> {{cite news | title = BA to charge £240 for extra bag | publisher = [[BBC News]]| date = [[8 February]] [[2007]] | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6309471.stm | accessdate = 2007-02-26 }}</ref> |
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[[BA CityFlyer]] is a subsidiary with [[Avro RJ100]] aircraft based in Edinburgh, but operating mainly from [[London City Airport]]. BA CityFlyer operates around 250 flights per week at London City Airport.<ref name='cityref'> {{cite web|url=http://www.easier.com/view/Travel/Flights/British_Airways/article-104619.html |title=BA plans major expansion at London City |accessdate=2007-09-27 |date=[[2007-03-14]] |work=easier Travel }}</ref> |
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In March 2008, BA will move most of its Heathrow operation to the new [[London Heathrow Airport #Terminal 5#|Terminal 5]]. A large majority of the move will happen during the night on [[26 March]], when one of the runways at [[London Heathrow Airport|Heathrow]] will be closed to enable trucks and staff to move almost the entire T1 operation, short-haul T4 operation, and all T3 operations not using [[Boeing 757]] aircraft. In April, T4 long-haul services will move to T5 except for Australian services, which will move to the newly allocated [[Oneworld]] terminal at T3 in October. The remaining T1 services will move to T3 in June.<ref>"[http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/09/28/217262/picture-british-airways-six-months-away-from-t5-relocation-at-london-heathrow.html British Airways six months away from T5 relocation at London Heathrow]" Flight Global, 28/09/07</ref> |
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==Subsidiaries and franchisees== |
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===Subsidiaries=== |
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*[[BA CityFlyer]] |
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*[[OpenSkies]] |
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British Airways is the full owner of Airways Aero Associations Limited, which operates the [[British Airways flying club]] and runs its own aerodrome under the British Airways brand at [[Wycombe Air Park]], [[High Wycombe]]. With the creation of [[Open Skies]] between [[Europe]] and the [[United States]] in March of 2008, British Airways will begin a subsidiary airline called [[OpenSkies]] (previously codenamed "Project Lauren"). It plans to offer business and economy flights from continental Europe to New York. The airline plans to start operations in June 2008. |
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===Franchisees=== |
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*[[Comair (South Africa)|Comair]], [[South Africa]], franchisee since 1996. |
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*[[Loganair]], UK, franchisee since July 1994 until [[25 October]] [[2008]]. |
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*[[Sun Air of Scandinavia|Sun Air]], [[Denmark]], franchisee since [[1 August]] [[1996]]. |
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===Shareholdings=== |
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BA owns a 13.5% stake in Spanish airline [[Iberia Airlines|Iberia]]. It raised its stake in Iberia from 9% to 10% by purchasing [[American Airlines]]' remaining shares. It increased it further in March 2008. This 13.5% stake gives British Airways the right to appoint two board members.{{Fact|date=March 2008}} |
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It obtained a 15% stake in [[FlyBe]] when it sold its regional UK operation [[BA Connect]] to FlyBe in March 2007. |
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It owns a 10% stake in [[Eurostar (U.K.) Ltd.]] as part of the InterCapital and Regional Rail alliance that also includes [[SNCF]], [[SNCB]] and [[National Express Group]]. Eurostar (UK) is the UK arm of [[Eurostar]], the cross-Channel rail operator.<ref>[http://www.eurostar.com/UK/uk/leisure/about_eurostar/company_information/ownership_structure.jsp Ownership & Structure<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |
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==Cargo== |
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BA is, through its subsidiary British Airways World Cargo, the world's twelfth-largest [[cargo airline]] based on total freight tonne-kilometers flown.<ref>{{cite news | title = BA World Cargo Adds to Surcharge | work = Traffic World | publisher = Journal of Commerce, Inc. | date = [[25 August]] [[2005]] | accessdate = 2006-12-07}}</ref> BA World Cargo has global reach through the British Airways scheduled network. In addition to the main fleet, BA World Cargo [[wet lease]] three [[Boeing 747-400F]] dedicated freighter aircraft from [[Global Supply Systems]] on a multi-year basis,<ref>{{cite press release | title = Atlas Air invests in new UK airline | publisher = Atlas Air Inc. | date = [[12 April]] [[2001]] | url = http://web.archive.org/web/20030226090144/http://www.atlasair.com/aa/press/press2.asp?Pressid=8 | accessdate = 2006-12-19 }}</ref> as well as utilising space on dedicated freighters operated by other carriers on European services. Dedicated freighter services allow the airline to serve airports not connected to the scheduled network, such as [[London Stansted Airport|London Stansted]], [[Glasgow Prestwick International Airport|Glasgow Prestwick]], [[Frankfurt-Hahn Airport|Frankfurt-Hahn]], [[Vitoria Airport|Vitoria]] and [[Incheon International Airport|Seoul]]. |
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British Airways opened its £250m World Cargo centre, ''Ascentis'', at Heathrow in 1999. As an advanced automated freight handling centre, it can handle unusual and premium cargo, and fresh produce, of which it handles over 80,000 tons per year.<ref name='freightref'> {{cite web|url=http://www.freight-int.com/companies/british-airways-world-cargo.asp |title=British Airways World Cargo |accessdate=2007-09-27 |work=Freight International }}</ref> BA World Cargo also handles freight at London's Gatwick and Stansted airports, and, through its partner British Airways Regional Cargo, at all of the main regional airports throughout the UK. On [[July 3]], [[2007]] BA World Cargo announced it would launch new services to [[Jinnah International Airport]], [[Karachi]] and [[Allama Iqbal International Airport]], [[Lahore]] in [[Pakistan]] using Boeing 727s via [[Bahrain]].<ref>[http://www.baworldcargo.com/news/pr151.shtml New freighter routings from Pakistan launched], [[3 July]] [[2007]]</ref> |
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== Loyalty programmes == |
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[[Image:BA Executive Club Card.jpg|thumb|A British Airways Executive Club Card (Blue membership)]] |
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=== Executive Club === |
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The Executive Club is British Airways' main frequent flyer programme. It is part of the network of frequent flyer programmes in the [[Oneworld]] alliance. The Executive Club has three tiers of membership: Blue, Silver, Gold. The benefits of the Silver and Gold cards include access to airport lounges and dedicated reservation lines. Unlike most airlines' frequent flyer programmes, the Executive Club keeps separate account of the redeemable '''BA Miles''' and the loyalty '''Tier Points'''. Flying in higher Classes of Service, i.e. Premium Economy, Business or First, will earn both BA Miles and Tier Points, whereas Tier Points can only be earned for "Eligible Flights". A Full Fare Economy (Y/B/H) fare or any premium cabin fare will be considered as eligible flight. Discounted economy fares will only earn 25% BA Miles and no tier points. Membership of the Executive Club will be extended annually upon attaining the relevant number of Tier Points. For instance, to maintain the Silver Executive Club will require 4 Premium Economy Returns between the UK and the US Eastern Seaboard. |
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===Premier=== |
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BA operates an invitation-only Premier programme which gives more benefits than the Executive Club Gold Card scheme. It is given only by the BA board and has 1,200 members.<ref>[http://www.iht.com/articles/2003/01/31/trfreq_ed3__1.php International Herald Tribune]</ref> |
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==Incidents and accidents== |
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*On [[10 September]] [[1976]] a [[Trident 3B]] on British Airways Flight 476, flying from London Heathrow to Istanbul, collided in mid-air with an Inex Adria DC9-32 near [[Zagreb]], [[Croatia]], resulting in the [[1976 Zagreb mid-air collision]]. All 54 passengers and 9 crew members on the BA aircraft died. |
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*On [[24 June]] [[1982]], [[British Airways Flight 9|Flight 9]], a [[Boeing 747|Boeing 747-200]], ''G-BDXH'', ''City of Edinburgh'' flew through a cloud of volcanic ash and dust from the eruption of [[Mount Galunggung]], causing extensive damage to the aircraft, including the failure of all four engines. The aircraft managed to glide out of the dust cloud and restart all of its engines, allowing it to make an emergency landing at [[Jakarta]]. No-one was injured. |
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*On [[10 June]] [[1990]], [[British Airways Flight 5390|Flight 5390]], a [[BAC 1-11]] flight between [[Birmingham]] and [[Málaga]], suffered a windscreen blowout due to the fitting of incorrect bolts two days previously. The Captain suffered minor injuries despite being partially sucked out of the aircraft but the co-pilot landed the plane safely at [[Southampton Airport]]. |
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* On [[2 August]], [[1990]], [[British Airways Flight 149|Flight 149]] landed at [[Kuwait International Airport]] four hours after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, leading to the capture of the passengers and crew, and the destruction of the aircraft. |
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* On [[11 December]] [[2000]], Flight 2069 from [[London Gatwick Airport]] to [[Nairobi]] experienced a hijack attempt whilst flying over [[Sudan]]. A Kenyan student with a mental illness burst into the cockpit of the [[Boeing 747]]. As three crew fought to restrain the man, the auto-pilot became disengaged and the jet dropped {{convert|10000|ft|m}} with 398 passengers on board. However, with the help of a couple of passengers, the pilots recovered the aircraft, successfully restrained the Kenyan with handcuffs and the plane landed safely. |
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*On [[19 February]] [[2005]], the No. 2 engine of a [[Boeing 747|Boeing 747-400]] ''G-BNLG'' surged and suffered internal damage just after take off from [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]] on a flight to [[London Heathrow Airport|London Heathrow]] with 16 crew and 351 passengers on board. The crew shut the engine down and continued the climb and continued the flight, in line with BA's standard operating procedures for 4 engined aircraft. Because it was unable to attain normal cruising speeds and altitudes, the aircraft diverted to [[Manchester]], England. The [[United States]] [[Federal Aviation Administration]] had been critical of the Captain's decision<ref name="FI5">[[Flight International]], July 2005</ref> and accused BA of operating the aircraft in an unairworthy condition. In June 2006 the UK [[Air Accidents Investigation Branch]] recommended that the UK and US authorities review the policy on flight continuation and give clear guidance. This has not happened but the FAA have accepted the [[Civil Aviation Authority of the United Kingdom|United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority]]’s determination that the aircraft was not unairworthy.<ref>[[Flight International]], 23–29 January 2007</ref> |
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*On [[10 August]] [[2006]] the airline cancelled a large number of its flights to and from [[London Heathrow Airport]] due to [[2006 transatlantic aircraft plot|a foiled terrorist plot]] to destroy [[jet airliner]]s travelling from the [[United Kingdom]] to the [[United States]]. British Airways was one of those airlines that was targeted by the terrorists. Two days later on [[12 August]] [[2006]] [[BAA Limited|BAA]], the owner and operator of London Heathrow, ordered airlines using the airport to make a 30% reduction in departing passenger flights (something BA was already having to do as passengers missed flights due to the extra time it took to clear security), to help reduce delays and cancellations.<ref> {{cite news | title = Travel chaos as airlines ordered to slash flights. Ultimatum contained in leaked security memo from airport chief | publisher = News International | date = [[14 August]] [[2006]] | url = http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/travel/news/article608319.ece | accessdate = 2006-09-26 }}</ref> BA would later say the disruption cost it £40 million and forced it to cancel 1,280 flights between 10 and 17 August.<ref> {{cite news | title = BA says terror alert cost it £40m | publisher = BBC News | date = [[5 September]] [[2006]] | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5316920.stm | accessdate = 2006-09-26 }}</ref> |
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*On [[January 17]], [[2008]], [[British Airways Flight 38]], a [[Boeing 777-200ER]] flying from [[Beijing]] to [[London]], crash-landed approximately {{convert|1000|ft|m}} short of [[London Heathrow Airport]]'s runway 27L, and slid onto the runway's [[Displaced threshold|threshold]]. This resulted in damage to the landing gear, the wing roots, and the engines, resulting in the first hull loss being declared for the marque. There were 136 passengers and 16 crew on board. 1 serious and 12 minor injuries were sustained. The initial report from the [[Air Accidents Investigation Branch]] stated that the engines repeatedly failed to respond to commands for more [[thrust]] from both the [[autothrottle]] system and from manual intervention, beginning when the aircraft was at an altitude of {{convert|600|ft|m}} and {{convert|2|mi|km}} from touchdown. An adequate fuel quantity was on board the aircraft and the autothrottle and engine control commands were performing as expected prior to, and after, the reduction in thrust.<ref name=AAIB080118>{{cite news |title = Accident to Boeing 777-236, G-YMMM at London Heathrow Airport on 17 January 2008 - Initial Report |date = [[2008-01-18]] |publisher = [[Air Accidents Investigation Branch]] |url=http://www.aaib.dft.gov.uk/latest_news/archive/heathrow_17_january_2008/accident__heathrow_30_march_2008___initial_report.cfm }}</ref><ref name=AAIB080123>{{cite news |title = Accident to Boeing 777-236, G-YMMM at London Heathrow Airport on 17 January 2008 - Initial Report Update |date = [[2008-01-23]] |publisher = [[Air Accidents Investigation Branch]] |url=http://www.aaib.dft.gov.uk/latest_news/accident_to_boeing_777_236__g_ymmm__at_heathrow_airport_on_17_january_2008___initial_report_update.cfm }}</ref><ref name=BA080201>{{cite news | title = Interim Management Statement | date = [[1 February]] [[2008]] | work = [[Regulatory News Service]] | publisher = British Airways | url = http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=200802010700330296N}}</ref> |
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==Controversies== |
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*In March 2001, it was revealed that British Airways has a [[Airline sex discrimination policy|policy of not seating adult male passengers next to unaccompanied children]], even if the child's parents are elsewhere on the plane. This led to accusations of sex discrimination. |
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*In October 2006, in the [[British Airways cross controversy]], there was a dispute over the right of a Christian check-in worker to wear a visible symbol of faith. The employee lost an employment tribunal in January 2008. |
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*British Airways was announced by the [[Association of European Airlines]] as having lost the most luggage in 2006 and 2007 compared to other major European airlines. For every 1000 passengers carried, it lost 23 bags, 46% more than the average.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6524639.stm BBC NEWS | Business |BA tops lost luggage league table<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |
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== References == |
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{{reflist|2}} |
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==External links== |
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{{Commons|British Airways}} |
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*[http://www.britishairways.com Official website] |
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*[http://www.britishairways.com/travel/routemapsflash/public/en_gb Routemap] |
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*[http://www.ebaft.com British Airways Flight Training] |
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Revision as of 19:00, 22 April 2008
File:British Airways logo.png | |||||||
| |||||||
Founded | 1924 (as Imperial Airways) | ||||||
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Hubs | London Heathrow Airport London Gatwick Airport | ||||||
Frequent-flyer program | Executive Club Premier (Invitation only) | ||||||
Alliance | Oneworld | ||||||
Fleet size | 235 (+62 orders) | ||||||
Destinations | 147 in 75 countries (March 2007) | ||||||
Headquarters | Waterside, Harmondsworth, England, United Kingdom | ||||||
Key people | Willie Walsh (Chief Executive) | ||||||
Website | http://www.britishairways.com |
British Airways plc (LSE: BAY) is the largest airline and flag carrier of the United Kingdom and one of the largest in Europe. Its main hubs are London Heathrow and London Gatwick. British Airways holds a United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority Type A Operating Licence, and is permitted to carry passengers, cargo and mail on aircraft with 20 or more seats.[1] British Airways is a founding member of the Oneworld airline alliance.
The British Airways Group was formed on 1 September 1972 consisting of BOAC and BEA. These two companies were dissolved on 31 March 1974 to form British Airways (BA). The company was privatised in February 1987. It expanded with the acquisition of British Caledonian in 1988 and some of the routes of Gatwick-based carrier Dan-Air in 1992. The formation of Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic in 1984 began a tense relationship with BA which ended in "one of the most bitter and protracted libel actions in aviation history" in 1993 in which BA apologised "unreservedly" for an alleged "dirty tricks" campaign against Virgin and paid damages and legal costs.[2]
Traditionally a Boeing customer, BA placed its first direct order for Airbus aircraft in November 1998. The company's next major order was the commencement of its replacement of its long haul fleet, ordering Boeing 787s and Airbus A380s in 2007. British Airways' strategy and aircraft purchases are seen as an industry "benchmark" that influences other carriers' decisions.[3]
In 2008 BA unveiled its new subsidiary OpenSkies which will take advantage of the liberalization of transatlantic traffic rights, and fly non-stop between major European cities and the United States. Operations are expected to begin with a single Boeing 757 in June 2008.
History
On 31 March 1924, Britain's four pioneer airlines — Instone Air Line, okHandley Page Transport, Daimler Airways and British Air Marine Navigation — merged to form Imperial Airways, which developed its Empire routes to Australia and Africa.[4]
Meanwhile a number of smaller UK air transport companies had started flights. These merged in 1935 to form the original privately owned British Airways Ltd. Following a government review, Imperial Airways and British Airways were nationalised in 1939 to form the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC). Post-war, BOAC continued to operate long-haul services, other than routes to South America - these were flown by British South American Airways, which was merged back into BOAC in 1949. Continental European and domestic flights were flown by a new nationalised airline, British European Airways (BEA), which compulsorily took over the routes of existing UK independent airlines.[4]
In 1952 BOAC flew the De Havilland Comet to Johannesburg, halving the previous flight time. The birth of the mass package-holiday business meant change for the airline industry. BEA met the challenge by establishing BEA Airtours in 1970. In 1972 BOAC and BEA were combined under the newly formed British Airways Board, with the separate airlines coming together as British Airways in 1974, under the guidance of David Nicolson as Chairman of the BA Board. British Airways, simultaneously with Air France, inaugurated the world's first supersonic passenger service with Concorde in January 1976.[4]
Privatisation
Sir John King, later Lord King, was appointed as Chairman in 1981 with the mission of preparing the airline for privatisation. King hired Colin Marshall as CEO in 1983. King was credited with turning around the loss-making giant into one of the most profitable air carriers in the world, boldly claiming to be "The World's Favourite Airline", while many other large airlines struggled. The airline's fleet and route map were overhauled in the early years of King's tenure, with brand and advertising experts being recruited to change the airline's image. Over 23,000 jobs were shed in the early 1980s, though King managed the considerable trick of boosting staff morale and modernising operations at the same time. Offering generous inducements for people to leave led to record losses of £545 million, to the cost of taxpayers but to the benefit of the future privatised company.
The flag carrier was privatised and floated on the London Stock Exchange in February 1987 by the Conservative government, with the initial share offering being 11 times oversubscribed. In April 1988 British Airways effected the controversial takeover of Britain's "second" airline British Caledonian, but kept the Caledonian name alive by rebranding its charter subsidiary British Airtours as Caledonian Airways. In 1992 absorbed some of the routes of Gatwick-based carrier Dan-Air.
"Dirty tricks"
Soon after BA's privatisation, Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic, which began with one route and one Boeing 747 in 1984, was beginning to emerge as a competitor on some of BA's most lucrative routes. Following Virgin's highly publicised mercy mission to Iraq to fly home hostages of Saddam Hussein in 1991, King is reported to have told Marshall and his PA Director David Burnside to "do something about Branson".[5] This began the campaign of "dirty tricks" that ended in Branson suing King and British Airways for libel in 1992. King countersued Branson and the case went to trial in 1993. British Airways, faced with likely defeat, settled the case, giving £500,000 to Branson and a further £110,000 to his airline; further, BA was to pay the legal fees of up to £3 million.[2] Branson divided his compensation among his staff, the so-called "BA bonus."
Changes and subsidiaries
During the 1990s BA became the world's most profitable airline under the slogan "The World's Favourite Airline". In 1992 BA purchased the small German domestic airline Delta Air Transport and renamed it Deutsche BA. By the time it was sold in June 2003, DBA was operating 16 Boeing 737s and was the second-largest German domestic carrier, after Lufthansa.
Lord King stepped down as chairman in 1993 and was replaced by former deputy Colin Marshall, who initially combined the roles of CEO and Chairman. Bob Ayling, who would later take on the role of CEO, was appointed Managing Director by Marshall. Lord King was appointed President, a role created specifically for him, and became President Emeritus in 1997, until his death in July 2005.
In 1995 BA formed British Asia Airways, a subsidiary based in Taiwan, to operate between London and Taipei. Owing to political sensitivities, British Asia Airways not only had a different name, but also had a different livery, with the Union Jack tailfin being replaced by Chinese characters.[6] Many airlines followed the same practice, e.g., Qantas flew to Taiwan as "Australia Asia Airways" and KLM's Taiwan operations became "KLM Asia". British Asia Airways ceased operation in 2001 when the airline suspended flights to Taiwan due to low yield.
Bob Ayling era
In 1996 British Airways, with its newly appointed Chief Executive Bob Ayling, entered a period of turbulence. Increased competition, high oil prices and a strong pound hurt profits. BA management and trade unions clashed and the disruption cost the company hundreds of millions of pounds. In 1997 Ayling dropped BA's traditional Union Flag tailfin livery in favour of world design tailfins, in an effort to change its image from a strictly British and aloof carrier to a more cosmopolitan airline. The move was not a success and Ayling slowed the process, eventually declaring the fleet would sport a dual livery; half a Union Flag design, half the world design tailfins. Ayling pursued antitrust immunity with American Airlines, but this was unsuccessful due to the conditions placed on the deal by regulatory authorities, the most painful of which would have been the sacrifice of landing slots at Heathrow.[7]
Positive news during Ayling's leadership included cost savings of £750m and the establishment of the successful, but highly subsidised, Go in 1998. Go was a low-cost carrier intended to compete in the rapidly emerging "no-frills" segment. After four years of successful operations, the airline was sold off to venture capitalists 3i and later merged with EasyJet. Ayling also sought a reduction of capacity, cancelling Boeing 747-400 orders in favour of the Boeing 777 and rationalising BA's short-haul fleet with an order for the Airbus A320 family.
Rod Eddington era
In 1999 British Airways reported a 50 percent slump in profits, its worst since privatisation. In March 2000 Bob Ayling was removed from his position. British Airways announced Rod Eddington as his successor in May. Eddington set about cutting the workforce further, dramatically so after the slump caused by the 11 September attacks in 2001.
On 8 September 2004 British Airways announced that it was to sell its 18.5 percent stake in Qantas, but would continue the alliance (such as sharing revenue), particularly on the Kangaroo routes. The £425 million raised was used to reduce the airline's debt.
Marshall, who had been appointed a life peer in 1998, retired as Chairman in July 2004 and was replaced by Martin Broughton, former Chairman of British American Tobacco. On 8 March 2005, Broughton announced that former Aer Lingus CEO Willie Walsh would take over from Rod Eddington upon his retirement in September 2005.
Willie Walsh era
In September 2005 new CEO Willie Walsh, former Aer Lingus boss, announced dramatic changes to the management of British Airways, with the aim of saving £300 million by 2008, the cost of the move to Heathrow's Terminal 5. He has presided over the disposal of BA Connect to Flybe, with Walsh stating "Despite the best efforts of the entire team at BA Connect, we do not see any prospect of profitability in its current form." BA has retained a 15% stake in Flybe following the sale.
Since 2004, BA has strongly marketed the full-service nature of its domestic flights (i.e the use of principal airports, free food and drink) in response to the low cost operators' aggressive pricing, even though its main full-service UK rival bmi has now abandoned some "frills" on its domestic network. Walsh on the other hand pledged to retain the full-service model, and sees it as a means of distinguishing BA from the competition and that customers will still be willing to pay extra for added levels of service.
The airline won the Skytrax Airline of the Year award in 2006 for the first time.[8] It also won OAG Airline of the Year 2007, Best Airline Based in Western Europe 2007, Best Transatlantic Airline 2007, and Best Europe - Asia/Australasia Airline 2007' in the Airline of the Year Awards run by UK-based OAG.[9] However the Airport Transport Users Council rate BA as the worst European carrier for baggage handling.[10] BA's London Heathrow baggage system has insufficient capacity to deal with the number of bags passing through it, according to BBC news. BA lost on average 3000 pieces of baggage per day.[11]
Price-fixing
On 1 August 2007, British Airways was fined £121.5 million[12] for price-fixing. The fine was imposed by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) after BA admitted to the price-fixing of fuel surcharges on long haul flights. The allegation first came to light in 2006 when Virgin Atlantic reported the events to the authorities after it found staff members from BA and Virgin Atlantic were colluding. Virgin Atlantic have since been granted immunity by both the OFT and the United States Department of Justice who have been investigating the allegations since June 2006. The US DOJ later announced that it would fine British Airways $300 million (£148 million) for price fixing.
The allegations are thought to be linked to the resignation of commercial director Martin George and communications chief Iain Burns.[citation needed] Although BA said fuel surcharges were "a legitimate way of recovering costs", in May 2007 it put aside £350 million for legal fees and fines.
Terminal 5
Heathrow Terminal 5 was built exclusively for the use of British Airways at a cost of £4.3 billion and officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 14 March 2008. It opened to passengers on 27 March 2008, however a number of serious problems immediately arose. Staff were unable to find the car parks and there were not enough spaces available leading to confusion and delays getting to work. Long queues formed for staff security checks and the belts carrying the bags became clogged as they were not being unloaded quickly enough. The baggage handling system also malfunctioned due to technical problems. At one stage, BA were forced to stop checking in bags as large queues formed at the fast bag drop and seven flights departed with no baggage loaded.
In the first five days, a backlog of 28,000 bags built up and over 300 flights were cancelled. BA initially handed out leaflets to passengers of delayed or cancelled flights offering up to £100 compensation to cover the cost of a hotel room for two passengers. This was criticised by the UK's Consumer Watchdog for the Aviation Industry, the Air Transport Users Council, as being a clear breach of regulation 261/2004 and BA were forced to accept claims for "reasonable costs".
Willie Walsh commented that it "was not our finest hour" and "the buck stops with me". However two directors left the company on 15 April 2008 as a direct result of the poor transition into BA's "Amazing new home". Problems with baggage capacity continue and BA have delayed moving its Terminal 4 longhaul flights into Terminal 5 until at least June 2008 with the final transfer not expected until October 2008.
Financial performance
Year Ended | Passengers Flown[13] | Turnover (£m) | Profit/Loss Before Tax (£m) | Net Profit/Loss (£m) | Basic EPS (p) |
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March 31 2007 | 33,068,000 | 8,492 | 611 | 438 | 25.5 |
March 31 2006 (Restated)* | 32,432,000 | 8,213 | 616 | 464 | 40.4 |
March 31 2006 | 35,634,000 | 8,515 | 620 | 467 | 40.4 |
March 31 2005 | 35,717,000 | 7,772 | 513 | 392 | 35.2 |
March 31 2004 | 36,103,000 | 7,560 | 230 | 130 | 12.1 |
March 31 2003 | 38,019,000 | 7,688 | 135 | 72 | 6.7 |
March 31 2002 | 40,004,000 | 8,340 | (200) | (142) | (13.2) |
March 31 2001 | 36,221,000 | 9,278 | 150 | 114 | 10.5 |
March 31 2000 | 36,346,000 | 8,940 | 5 | (21) | (2.0) |
March 31 1999 | 37,090,000 | 8,915 | 225 | 206 | 19.5 |
March 31 1998 | 34,377,000 | 8,642 | 580 | 460 | 44.7 |
March 31 1997 | 33,440,000 | 8,359 | 640 | 553 | 55.7 |
March 31 1996 | 32,272,000 | 7,760 | 585 | 473 | 49.4 |
* Restated for the disposal of the regional business of BA Connect.
Destinations
Origin | Destination | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
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London Gatwick | Ibiza | 10 June 2008 | Replacing former GB Airways route | |
London Gatwick | Paphos | 1 July 2008[14] | Replacing former GB Airways route | |
London Heathrow | Hyderabad | 27 October 2008 | ||
Antigua | St Lucia | 27 October 2008 | Withdrawn as flights to St Lucia will operate direct from London | |
Bridgetown | Port of Spain | 27 October 2008 | Withdrawn as flights to Port of Spain will operate via St Lucia | |
Sao Paulo | Rio De Janeiro | 27 October 2008 | Withdrawn as flights to Rio De Janeiro will operate direct from London | |
St Lucia | Port of Spain | 27 October 2008 | ||
London Gatwick | New York-JFK | 27 October 2008 | ||
London Gatwick | Oporto | 27 October 2008 | ||
London Gatwick | Valencia | 27 October 2008 | ||
Manchester | New York-JFK | 26 October 2008 | Withdrawn to enable new flights from LGW to JFK | |
London City | New York-JFK | 2009 | Pending delivery of new A318 aircraft. All Club World configuration |
- From October 2008 additional services to St Lucia and Rio De Janeiro will operate direct from London.
- From 27th October 2008 flights to Warsaw will move from London-Gatwick to London-Heathrow, after being at Gatwick for only 7 months.
Fleet
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/37/Ba_a319-100_g-eups_arp.jpg/220px-Ba_a319-100_g-eups_arp.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5e/Ba_a320-200_g-euur_arp.jpg/220px-Ba_a320-200_g-euur_arp.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/90/Ba_a321-200_g-euxd_arp.jpg/220px-Ba_a321-200_g-euxd_arp.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/61/B737-baw-g-gffd.jpg/220px-B737-baw-g-gffd.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f3/Ba_b747-400_g-bnle_arp.jpg/220px-Ba_b747-400_g-bnle_arp.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/Ba_b757-200_g-bpee_arp.jpg/220px-Ba_b757-200_g-bpee_arp.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/74/Ba_b767-300_g-bnwb_arp.jpg/220px-Ba_b767-300_g-bnwb_arp.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6f/Ba_b777-200_g-ymmd_arp.jpg/220px-Ba_b777-200_g-ymmd_arp.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/08/Concorde_g-boab_in_storage_arp.jpg/220px-Concorde_g-boab_in_storage_arp.jpg)
With the exception of the Boeing 707 and Boeing 747 from BOAC, the airline as formed in 1972-4 inherited a mainly UK built fleet of aircraft. The airline introduced the Boeing 737 and Boeing 757 into the fleet in the 1980s, followed by the Boeing 747-400, Boeing 767 and Boeing 777 in the nineties. However, with the exception of 29 of its 777 fleet, it has often equipped its Boeing aircraft with British-made Rolls-Royce engines (examples include the Trent 800 on its Boeing 777s, the RB211-524 on its 747-400s and 767s and also RB211-535s on its 757-200s). This goes back to the 1960s when the company ordered Boeing 707s — a condition was placed on the company that it used Rolls-Royce power for the new jets. BA inherited BOAC's Boeing airline code (36). Boeing aircraft built for British Airways have the suffix 36, for example 737-236, 747-436, 777-236.[15]
Although it had a large Boeing fleet it has always operated other aircraft. British built aircraft were transferred from BEA (e.g. Trident) and BOAC (e.g. VC10), and in the 1980s the airline bought the Lockheed Tristar. It has also acquired through the buyout of British Caledonian Airways in the 1980s the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 and Airbus A320. In the late 1990s British Airways placed its own first direct Airbus order, for over 100 A320/A319s to replace its own aging fleet of Boeing 737s. In September 2007 BA placed its first order for longhaul Airbus jets, 12 Airbus A380s with 7 options.[16]
BA was one of only two operators of the supersonic Aerospatiale-BAC Concorde supersonic airliner, (the other being the state-owned Air France) with a daily service between Heathrow and New York JFK (although the original service was from London to Bahrain). Initially, Concorde was a financial burden, placed on the national carrier by the government, and attracted criticism from the press as a white elephant. However Lord King recognised the charismatic importance of Concorde to British Airways. BA used Concorde to win business customers, guaranteeing a certain number of Concorde upgrades in return for corporate accounts with the airline - a key factor in winning business from transatlantic competitors.
With the Paris Crash in 2000, the September 11, 2001 attacks and escalating maintenance costs, the future of Concorde was limited despite the expensive modifications after the crash. It was announced (on 10 April 2003) that, after 24 October 2003, they would cease scheduled services with Concorde, due to depressed passenger numbers. The last day of its Saturday-only London Heathrow to Barbados Concorde flight was on 30 August 2003. The airline still owns 8 Concordes which are on long term loan to museums in the UK, U.S. and Barbados.
The British Airways fleet includes the following aircraft as of September 2007:[17]
Aircraft | Total | Passengers (First/Business/Premium Economy/Economy) |
Routes | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Airbus A318 | (2 orders) | 32 | LCY to NYC | Features Club World seats |
Airbus A319 | 33 | 132 | LHR to Europe and UK LGW to Europe and UK |
|
Airbus A320 | 25 (19 orders) |
149 150 156 |
LHR to Europe and UK | |
Airbus A321 | 11 (1 order) |
194 | LHR to Europe and UK | |
Airbus A380-800 | (12 orders) (7 options) |
LHR to New York, LA, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Sydney | Rolls Royce Engines (RR) Entry into service: 2012 | |
Boeing 737-300 |
5 | 126 | LGW to Europe and UK | Exit from service: 2009 Replacement aircraft: Airbus A319 |
Boeing 737-400 |
19 | 147 | LGW to Europe and UK | |
Boeing 737-500 |
9 | 110 | LGW to Europe and UK | Exit from service: 2009 Replacement aircraft: Airbus A319 |
Boeing 747-400 | 57 | 291 (14/70/30/177) 299 (14/70/30/185) 337 (14/52/36/235) 351 (14/38/36/263) |
LHR to Africa, Asia, Australia, North America and South America | BA has the largest fleet of -400 series 747s in the world. |
Boeing 757-200 |
13 | 180 | LHR to Europe and UK | 6 aircraft will be transferred to 'OpenSkies' subsidiary by end of 2009 |
Boeing 767-300ER |
21 | 173 (-/24/24/125) 252 (252) |
LHR and MAN to Africa, Caribbean, Europe and North America | Exit from service: 2010-ongoing Replacement aircraft: Boeing 787 |
Boeing 777-200 |
3 | 229 (14/48/40/127) | LHR to Africa, Asia and North America | |
Boeing 777-200ER |
39 (4 orders) (4 options) |
280 (-/40/24/216) 224 (14/48/40/122) 290 (-/38/40/212) |
LGW and LHR to Africa, Asia, Australasia, Caribbean and North America | Mix of Rolls-Royce Trent and General Electric GE90 engines |
Boeing 787-8 | (8 orders) (16 options) (10 rights for 787 family) |
Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines Entry into service: 2010 Replaces 767-300ER | ||
Boeing 787-9 | (16 orders) (16 options) (10 rights for 787 family) |
Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines Entry into service: 2010 Replaces 767-300ER |
Details of the fleet of British Airways subsidiary BA CityFlyer can be found in the related article. Details of the fleets of British Airways' franchises which use the British Airways name and logo can be found on articles: Loganair (until October 2008), Sun Air and Comair. In March 2008, the average age of British Airways fleet was 11.3 years. [18]
British Airways offers either three or four classes of service on their long haul international routes. World Traveller (Economy Class), World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy) and Club World (Business Class) always feature. All Boeing 747 aircraft and most Boeing 777 aircraft are also fitted with FIRST (First Class).
Aircraft operated
The airline has operated the following aircraft (with in-service date):
- 1974 - BAC One-Eleven 500
- 1974 - Boeing 707-420
- 1974 - Boeing 747-100
- 1974 - Hawker Siddeley Trident
- 1974 - Lockheed Tristar 1
- 1974 - Vickers VC10
- 1974 - Vickers Super VC10
- 1974 - Vickers Vanguard
- 1974 - Vickers Viscount
- 1975 - Hawker Siddley 748
- 1976 - Aérospatiale-BAC Concorde
- 1977 - Boeing 747-200
- 1980 - Boeing 737-200
- 1980 - Lockheed Tristar 500
- 1981 - Boeing 234 Commercial Chinook
- 1983 - Boeing 757-200
- 1988 - Douglas DC-10-30
- 1988 - Airbus A320-100
- 1989 - Boeing 747-400
- 1990 - Boeing 767-300
- 1991 - Boeing 737-400
- 1997 - Boeing 777-200
- 1999 - Airbus A319
- 2000 - Boeing 737-500
- 2001 - Boeing 737-300
- 2002 - Airbus A320-200
- 2004 - Airbus A321
Future
British Airways has 32 outstanding options with Airbus, which may be taken as any member of the A320 family. Secured delivery positions on 10 Boeing 777 aircraft are held.[19]
On 18 May 2007, BA announced that it has placed a firm order with Airbus for eight new A320 aircraft. The new aircraft are due for delivery from 2008. They will be delivered to LHR displacing A319s to LGW which in turn will replace elderly Boeing 737-300/500, the leases on which expire at this time.[20]
On 27 March 2007, British Airways placed a firm order for four 777-200ER aircraft with an option for four more, with the order totalling more than US$800 million at list price. The company has stated that these are for fleet expansion.[21] BA's first batch of 777 were fitted with General Electric GE90 engines, but BA switched to Rolls Royce Trent 800s for the most recent 16 aircraft. This has been continued with the most recent 4 orders as Trent 800 engines were selected as the engine choice.
On 27 September 2007, BA announced their biggest order since 1998 by ordering 36 new long haul aircraft. The company ordered 12 A380s with options on a further 7, and 24 Boeing 787s with options on a further 18. Rolls Royce Trent engines were selected for both orders with Trent 900s powering the A380s and Trent 1000s powering the 787s. The new aircraft will be delivered between 2010 and 2014.[22] The Boeing 787s will replace 14 of British Airways' Boeing 767 fleet and the Airbus A380s will replace 20 of BA's oldest Boeing 747-400s and will most likely be used to increase capacity on routes to Bangkok, Cape Town, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, Singapore, and Sydney from London Heathrow.[23][24]
On 1 February 2008 it was announced that BA had ordered two Airbus A318s to operate a premium service out of London City Airport to New York. The service, which will see the A318s fitted out with 32 lie flat beds in an all business class cabin, is expected to start in 2009. The A318 is the largest aircraft able to operate out of London City Airport. On 4 February 2008 the engine selection was announced as the CFM International - CFM56. Most of BA's fleet of A320 family aircraft are powered by IAE V2500 however these engines are not available to power the A318. It was subsequently announced that this route will include a westbound fuel stop.[25]
BA's next order is expected to occur sometime in 2008 or 2009. This order will be for the replacement of their 37 remaining 747-400s. The candidate aircraft are the Airbus A350 XWB, the prospective Boeing 787-10 and Boeing 777-300ER.[24]
Marketing
The musical theme predominantly used on British Airways advertising is "Flower Duet" by Léo Delibes.[26] This, and the slogan "The World's Favourite Airline" were introduced in 1989 with the launch of the iconic "Face" advertisement.[27] The slogan was dropped in 2001, after having been overtaken by Lufthansa in terms of passenger numbers. However, "Flower Duet" is still used by the airline, and has been through several different arrangements since 1989. The most recent was introduced in 2007,[28] along with the current advertising slogan, "Upgrade to British Airways".
The advertising agency used for many years by BA was Saatchi & Saatchi, who created many of the most famous advertisements for the airline.[29] It created the "Face" commercial for the airline; its success was imitated by Silverjet in 2007, who created a similar advert.
Prior to "The World's Favourite Airline", advertising slogans included:
- "The World's Best Airline".
- "We'll Take More Care Of You".
- "Fly the Flag", featuring Flight Attendant Roz Hanby, who gained brief "celebrity" status as a result [30]
As of June 2007, BA's advertising agency is Bartle Bogle Hegarty.[31]
British Airways is the official airline of the Wimbledon Championship tennis tournament.[32]
British Airways is the official airline of the London 2012 Olympics.
Tail fins
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Since its formation in 1974, though to a limited extent until all aircraft were repainted, British Airways aeroplanes carried a Union Flag scheme painted on their tail fins. The original predominantly red tail scheme was changed with the launch of a new livery designed by the New York design agency, Landor Associates. The new tail was predominantly dark blue and carried the British Airways Coat of Arms. On 10 June 1997 they began to be repainted (and the planes re-named) with abstract world images, Delft pottery or Chinese calligraphy for example, relating to countries they fly to. This caused problems with air traffic control: previously controllers had been able to tell pilots to follow a BA plane, but because they were each painted in different colours they were harder to identify.
On 6 June 1999, BA chief executive Bob Ayling announced that all BA planes would be repainted with the Chatham Dockyard Union Flag, based on a design first used on Concorde.
Cabins
United Kingdom internal flights
UK Domestic seat pitch is 31" on all aircraft and the seats are in a one-class configuration. Food on these services depends on the destination and time of day. On all UK Domestic services, a breakfast meal is served before 10am and after 10am there is a drinks service, with a light snack from Heathrow and Gatwick. The exception is for Scottish flights to and from Heathrow in the evening, where a meal size salad is served.
Business UK has exactly the same service (same cabin) as UK Domestic, with a fully flexible ticket and lounge access.
Europe
Euro Traveller seat pitch is 31", except on Boeing 757 aircraft where it is 32" and Airbus A321 aircraft where it is 30". Food on board depends on the destination "band" (e.g. Band 1 to Paris, Band 3 to Rome, Band 4 to Athens). In-flight entertainment is offered on Band 4 flights on aircraft with suitable equipment.
Club Europe is the business class product of British Airways, offered on all shorthaul routes. Passengers have access to business lounges at most airports and are also served a full English breakfast in the mornings and afternoon tea later in the day. Seat pitch is 34". On narrowbody aircraft, Club Europe has 5 rather than 6 seats across, in a 2+3 configuration.
International outside Europe
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2f/BA_New_Club_World_seat.jpg/220px-BA_New_Club_World_seat.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fd/BA_World_Traveller_cabin.jpg/220px-BA_World_Traveller_cabin.jpg)
FIRST is the long haul first class product on British Airways and is offered only on BA's Boeing 777 and Boeing 747 and some Boeing 767 aircraft. In it are thirteen or fourteen private "demi-cabins" with 6' 6" beds, in-seat power for laptops, personal phones, and entertainment facilities. Meals are available on demand. BA offers dedicated check-in facilities at some airports.
Club World is the longhaul business class product of British Airways. Passengers have access to business lounges at most airports. On 13 November 2006, British Airways launched a new Club World service, offering larger seats and a service revamp. The service offers a 6' 6" 20" wide flat bed, with 24 seats on the 767-300ER, either 40 or 48 seats on the 777-200, and, since 2007, either 52 or 70 seats on the 747-400.
World Traveller and World Traveller Plus are the two main economy classes offered internationally on British Airways. World Traveller is standard economy and offers a 31" seat pitch. World Traveller Plus is premium economy and, in comparison to World Traveller, offers a better (38") seat pitch, fewer seats abreast, and in-seat laptop power.
Special cabin configuration
In 2001, British Airways became the first carrier to introduce a ten abreast economy class configuration on the Boeing 777, an aircraft which had been designed for nine abreast seating. This utilised specially built narrow seats, and narrow aisles, and was applied to 3 GE-engined 777-236ERs (G-VIIO / MSN 29320, G-VIIP / MSN 29321 and G-VIIR / MSN 29322) used predominantly on Caribbean routes, but sometimes flown to and from Florida. Since BA piloted this development, the configuration has been emulated by Emirates Airline and China Southern. British Airways have removed this configuration now returning to nine abreast seating.
Operations
British Airways is held in high standing internationally.[3] Accordingly BA's major strategic and selection decisions are watched by competitors, and often mirrored by the industry.[3] BA gains benefit from this: for example, the September 2007 order of 12 Airbus A380s were thought to have been sold at a 50% discount from list in view of the potential "landslide" impact on other potential purchasers.[3]
BA is based at London Heathrow Airport in London, England. It also has a presence at Gatwick and previously had a significant hub at Manchester International Airport, but this was much reduced in 2007 after the sale of BA Connect, in common with operations from other UK airports. BA has succeeded in dominating Heathrow to the point that the airport is commonly referred to as Fortress Heathrow within both the airline and its competitors.[33]
As an incumbent airline, BA had grandfather rights to around 36% of takeoff and landing slots at Heathrow, many of which are used for the lucrative trans-Atlantic market. Some competitors, such as Virgin Atlantic and bmi, assert that this stifles competition and some political think-tanks recommend an auction of slots. In recent years British Airways has been buying slots from other airlines including United Airlines, bmi, Brussels Airlines, GB Airways and Swiss International Air Lines, and now owns about 40% of slots at Heathrow.[34]
Although British Airways describes itself as the 'National Carrier of the United Kingdom'[citation needed], it does not have a presence in Wales and services to all airports 'north of Watford' were severely truncated in March 2007. BA aims to fly UK passengers through its congested Heathrow and Gatwick hubs. However, this policy is now being successfully countered by foreign carriers such as Emirates, who fly direct from several UK provincial airports to Dubai, Abu Dhabi etc and onwards from those hubs to Asia and Australasia.
Traditionally viewed as a full fare airline, BA operations in some ways resemble those of a budget airline; notably in the February 2007 decision to charge up to £240 for a second piece of hold luggage.[35]
BA CityFlyer is a subsidiary with Avro RJ100 aircraft based in Edinburgh, but operating mainly from London City Airport. BA CityFlyer operates around 250 flights per week at London City Airport.[36]
In March 2008, BA will move most of its Heathrow operation to the new Terminal 5. A large majority of the move will happen during the night on 26 March, when one of the runways at Heathrow will be closed to enable trucks and staff to move almost the entire T1 operation, short-haul T4 operation, and all T3 operations not using Boeing 757 aircraft. In April, T4 long-haul services will move to T5 except for Australian services, which will move to the newly allocated Oneworld terminal at T3 in October. The remaining T1 services will move to T3 in June.[37]
Subsidiaries and franchisees
Subsidiaries
British Airways is the full owner of Airways Aero Associations Limited, which operates the British Airways flying club and runs its own aerodrome under the British Airways brand at Wycombe Air Park, High Wycombe. With the creation of Open Skies between Europe and the United States in March of 2008, British Airways will begin a subsidiary airline called OpenSkies (previously codenamed "Project Lauren"). It plans to offer business and economy flights from continental Europe to New York. The airline plans to start operations in June 2008.
Franchisees
- Comair, South Africa, franchisee since 1996.
- Loganair, UK, franchisee since July 1994 until 25 October 2008.
- Sun Air, Denmark, franchisee since 1 August 1996.
Shareholdings
BA owns a 13.5% stake in Spanish airline Iberia. It raised its stake in Iberia from 9% to 10% by purchasing American Airlines' remaining shares. It increased it further in March 2008. This 13.5% stake gives British Airways the right to appoint two board members.[citation needed]
It obtained a 15% stake in FlyBe when it sold its regional UK operation BA Connect to FlyBe in March 2007.
It owns a 10% stake in Eurostar (U.K.) Ltd. as part of the InterCapital and Regional Rail alliance that also includes SNCF, SNCB and National Express Group. Eurostar (UK) is the UK arm of Eurostar, the cross-Channel rail operator.[38]
Cargo
BA is, through its subsidiary British Airways World Cargo, the world's twelfth-largest cargo airline based on total freight tonne-kilometers flown.[39] BA World Cargo has global reach through the British Airways scheduled network. In addition to the main fleet, BA World Cargo wet lease three Boeing 747-400F dedicated freighter aircraft from Global Supply Systems on a multi-year basis,[40] as well as utilising space on dedicated freighters operated by other carriers on European services. Dedicated freighter services allow the airline to serve airports not connected to the scheduled network, such as London Stansted, Glasgow Prestwick, Frankfurt-Hahn, Vitoria and Seoul.
British Airways opened its £250m World Cargo centre, Ascentis, at Heathrow in 1999. As an advanced automated freight handling centre, it can handle unusual and premium cargo, and fresh produce, of which it handles over 80,000 tons per year.[41] BA World Cargo also handles freight at London's Gatwick and Stansted airports, and, through its partner British Airways Regional Cargo, at all of the main regional airports throughout the UK. On July 3, 2007 BA World Cargo announced it would launch new services to Jinnah International Airport, Karachi and Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore in Pakistan using Boeing 727s via Bahrain.[42]
Loyalty programmes
Executive Club
The Executive Club is British Airways' main frequent flyer programme. It is part of the network of frequent flyer programmes in the Oneworld alliance. The Executive Club has three tiers of membership: Blue, Silver, Gold. The benefits of the Silver and Gold cards include access to airport lounges and dedicated reservation lines. Unlike most airlines' frequent flyer programmes, the Executive Club keeps separate account of the redeemable BA Miles and the loyalty Tier Points. Flying in higher Classes of Service, i.e. Premium Economy, Business or First, will earn both BA Miles and Tier Points, whereas Tier Points can only be earned for "Eligible Flights". A Full Fare Economy (Y/B/H) fare or any premium cabin fare will be considered as eligible flight. Discounted economy fares will only earn 25% BA Miles and no tier points. Membership of the Executive Club will be extended annually upon attaining the relevant number of Tier Points. For instance, to maintain the Silver Executive Club will require 4 Premium Economy Returns between the UK and the US Eastern Seaboard.
Premier
BA operates an invitation-only Premier programme which gives more benefits than the Executive Club Gold Card scheme. It is given only by the BA board and has 1,200 members.[43]
Incidents and accidents
- On 10 September 1976 a Trident 3B on British Airways Flight 476, flying from London Heathrow to Istanbul, collided in mid-air with an Inex Adria DC9-32 near Zagreb, Croatia, resulting in the 1976 Zagreb mid-air collision. All 54 passengers and 9 crew members on the BA aircraft died.
- On 24 June 1982, Flight 9, a Boeing 747-200, G-BDXH, City of Edinburgh flew through a cloud of volcanic ash and dust from the eruption of Mount Galunggung, causing extensive damage to the aircraft, including the failure of all four engines. The aircraft managed to glide out of the dust cloud and restart all of its engines, allowing it to make an emergency landing at Jakarta. No-one was injured.
- On 10 June 1990, Flight 5390, a BAC 1-11 flight between Birmingham and Málaga, suffered a windscreen blowout due to the fitting of incorrect bolts two days previously. The Captain suffered minor injuries despite being partially sucked out of the aircraft but the co-pilot landed the plane safely at Southampton Airport.
- On 2 August, 1990, Flight 149 landed at Kuwait International Airport four hours after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, leading to the capture of the passengers and crew, and the destruction of the aircraft.
- On 11 December 2000, Flight 2069 from London Gatwick Airport to Nairobi experienced a hijack attempt whilst flying over Sudan. A Kenyan student with a mental illness burst into the cockpit of the Boeing 747. As three crew fought to restrain the man, the auto-pilot became disengaged and the jet dropped 10,000 feet (3,000 m) with 398 passengers on board. However, with the help of a couple of passengers, the pilots recovered the aircraft, successfully restrained the Kenyan with handcuffs and the plane landed safely.
- On 19 February 2005, the No. 2 engine of a Boeing 747-400 G-BNLG surged and suffered internal damage just after take off from Los Angeles on a flight to London Heathrow with 16 crew and 351 passengers on board. The crew shut the engine down and continued the climb and continued the flight, in line with BA's standard operating procedures for 4 engined aircraft. Because it was unable to attain normal cruising speeds and altitudes, the aircraft diverted to Manchester, England. The United States Federal Aviation Administration had been critical of the Captain's decision[44] and accused BA of operating the aircraft in an unairworthy condition. In June 2006 the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch recommended that the UK and US authorities review the policy on flight continuation and give clear guidance. This has not happened but the FAA have accepted the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority’s determination that the aircraft was not unairworthy.[45]
- On 10 August 2006 the airline cancelled a large number of its flights to and from London Heathrow Airport due to a foiled terrorist plot to destroy jet airliners travelling from the United Kingdom to the United States. British Airways was one of those airlines that was targeted by the terrorists. Two days later on 12 August 2006 BAA, the owner and operator of London Heathrow, ordered airlines using the airport to make a 30% reduction in departing passenger flights (something BA was already having to do as passengers missed flights due to the extra time it took to clear security), to help reduce delays and cancellations.[46] BA would later say the disruption cost it £40 million and forced it to cancel 1,280 flights between 10 and 17 August.[47]
- On January 17, 2008, British Airways Flight 38, a Boeing 777-200ER flying from Beijing to London, crash-landed approximately 1,000 feet (300 m) short of London Heathrow Airport's runway 27L, and slid onto the runway's threshold. This resulted in damage to the landing gear, the wing roots, and the engines, resulting in the first hull loss being declared for the marque. There were 136 passengers and 16 crew on board. 1 serious and 12 minor injuries were sustained. The initial report from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch stated that the engines repeatedly failed to respond to commands for more thrust from both the autothrottle system and from manual intervention, beginning when the aircraft was at an altitude of 600 feet (180 m) and 2 miles (3.2 km) from touchdown. An adequate fuel quantity was on board the aircraft and the autothrottle and engine control commands were performing as expected prior to, and after, the reduction in thrust.[48][49][50]
Controversies
- In March 2001, it was revealed that British Airways has a policy of not seating adult male passengers next to unaccompanied children, even if the child's parents are elsewhere on the plane. This led to accusations of sex discrimination.
- In October 2006, in the British Airways cross controversy, there was a dispute over the right of a Christian check-in worker to wear a visible symbol of faith. The employee lost an employment tribunal in January 2008.
- British Airways was announced by the Association of European Airlines as having lost the most luggage in 2006 and 2007 compared to other major European airlines. For every 1000 passengers carried, it lost 23 bags, 46% more than the average.[51]
References
- ^ Description of UK Civil Aviation Authority Type A Operating Licence
- ^ a b "BA dirty tricks against Virgin cost £3m". BBC: On This Day. BBC News. 11 January 1993. Retrieved 2006-10-23.
{{cite news}}
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(help) - ^ a b c d Analysis: double-decker aircraft for those going East - Times Online
- ^ a b c "Directory: World Airlines". Flight International. 27 March 2007. p. 89.
{{cite news}}
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(help) - ^ Martyn, Gregory (2000). Dirty Tricks: British Airways' Secret War Against Virgin Atlantic. London: Virgin. ISBN 0-7535-0458-8.
- ^ Photo
- ^ Comments of Department of Justice on antitrusts immunity.
- ^ British Airways wins Skytrax Airline of the Year World Airline Awards
- ^ OAG Worldwide :: British Airways Takes Top Honors at the 25th Anniversary OAG Airline of the Year Awards
- ^ "British Airways: fly the flag - lose your bag". The Guardian. 23 June 2007.
{{cite news}}
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(help) - ^ "Heathrow works to clear bag delay". BBC News. 7 October 2006.
{{cite news}}
: Check date values in:|date=
(help) - ^ "BA gets £121.5m price-fixing fine". BBC News. 8 January 2007.
{{cite news}}
: Check date values in:|date=
(help) - ^ BA Shares British Airways shareholder 'Reports & Accounts' Archive
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
08changes
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ CAA Aircraft Register (Boeing aircraft registered to British Airways
- ^ BA breaks Boeing loyalty with Airbus order
- ^ UK CAA Aircraft Register
- ^ British Airways Average Fleet Age
- ^ BA Interim Financial Results 2006 Q3
- ^ "British Airways reveal plans to replacing Gatwick 737 fleet".
{{cite web}}
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ignored (|access-date=
suggested) (help) - ^ "British Airways to pay Boeing $800M for 4 big jets; 4 more in the pipeline". Retrieved 2007-03-27.
- ^ "BA opts for A380 and Dreamliner". BBC News Online. BBC. 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-09-27.
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(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=
(help) - ^ Oliver, Emmet (2007-09-27). "British Airways Purchases 36 Airbus, Boeing Airliners (Update7)". Bloomberg.com. Bloomberg. Retrieved 2007-09-27.
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suggested) (help) - ^ a b Moores, Victoria (2007-09-27). "BA to decide on remaining long-haul renewal in 2008–09". Flightglobal.com. Retrieved 2007-09-27.
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(help) - ^ "BA All Business Flights to Include Westbound Fuel Stop".
{{cite web}}
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suggested) (help) - ^ "Flower Duet (From Lakme) by Leo Delibes - - Chris Worth Productions". Retrieved 2007-06-08.
- ^ "1989 British Airways Commercial". Retrieved 2008-19-01.
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(help) - ^ "BA Latest TV AD: Sydney". Retrieved 2008-19-01.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ "Saatchi & Saatchi: The agency that made Tory history". The Independent. 2007-09-17. Retrieved 2007-09-27.
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(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=
(help) - ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_attendant#Notable_flight_attendants
- ^ "Clients & Work - Bartle Bogle Hegarty". Retrieved 2007-09-27.
- ^ Agency.com British Airways Reminds Visitors to Leave Air Horn, Chili Dog At Home During Wimbledon
- ^ "House of Commons - Transport - Written Evidence". United Kingdom Hansard. Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. 2007-03-12. Retrieved 2007-09-27.
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(help) - ^ Gow, David (2004-01-21). "BA outbid for Heathrow slots". The Guardian. Retrieved 2007-09-27.
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(help) - ^ "BA to charge £240 for extra bag". BBC News. 8 February 2007. Retrieved 2007-02-26.
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(help) - ^ "BA plans major expansion at London City". easier Travel. 2007-03-14. Retrieved 2007-09-27.
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(help) - ^ "British Airways six months away from T5 relocation at London Heathrow" Flight Global, 28/09/07
- ^ Ownership & Structure
- ^ "BA World Cargo Adds to Surcharge". Traffic World. Journal of Commerce, Inc. 25 August 2005.
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(help) - ^ "Atlas Air invests in new UK airline" (Press release). Atlas Air Inc. 12 April 2001. Retrieved 2006-12-19.
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(help) - ^ "British Airways World Cargo". Freight International. Retrieved 2007-09-27.
- ^ New freighter routings from Pakistan launched, 3 July 2007
- ^ International Herald Tribune
- ^ Flight International, July 2005
- ^ Flight International, 23–29 January 2007
- ^ "Travel chaos as airlines ordered to slash flights. Ultimatum contained in leaked security memo from airport chief". News International. 14 August 2006. Retrieved 2006-09-26.
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(help) - ^ "BA says terror alert cost it £40m". BBC News. 5 September 2006. Retrieved 2006-09-26.
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(help) - ^ "Accident to Boeing 777-236, G-YMMM at London Heathrow Airport on 17 January 2008 - Initial Report". Air Accidents Investigation Branch. 2008-01-18.
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(help) - ^ "Accident to Boeing 777-236, G-YMMM at London Heathrow Airport on 17 January 2008 - Initial Report Update". Air Accidents Investigation Branch. 2008-01-23.
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(help) - ^ "Interim Management Statement". Regulatory News Service. British Airways. 1 February 2008.
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(help) - ^ BBC NEWS | Business |BA tops lost luggage league table
External links
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