04 March, 2019

BEA back in the air..........Historic livery takes to the skies again

Photo  British Airways
A remarkable recreation of a historic airline livery took to the skies today as the latest in a series of paint-jobs of the past brought back by British Airways!

The stylish British European Airways (BEA) design has transformed an Airbus A319 aircraft which arrived back at its home base of London Heathrow from the Shannon paint shop. Many people too the opportunity to see the historic livery in all its glory leave Shannon and arrive in Heathrow.

The A319, registration G-EUPJ, is adorned with the BEA livery, which flew predominantly on domestic and European routes between 1959 and 1968. However, there is one major difference between the painting of the new jet over the original livery, which is the bright red upper wing that adorned the original BEA aircraft.  Due to current aviation regulation regarding reflective paint, British Airways had had to paint the new  Airbus A319 with grey paint.  Yet, even with that difference the recreation still looks magnificent.  


The aircraft, which has been painted to mark British Airways’ centenary, enters service this afternoon with its maiden commercial flight in its new colours to Manchester. After this, it will continue to fly routes across the UK and Europe, with the design remaining on the aircraft until it retires next year. As with the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) liveried 747, the aircraft can be followed using tracking website Flightradar24, which will feature a special image of the livery.

Alex Cruz, British Airways’ Chairman and CEO, said: “It was another really special day as we welcomed our BEA liveried A319 in to Heathrow this morning, which forms part of our centenary heritage fleet. Yet again there were huge crowds lining the perimeter fence to see the aircraft coming in, which shows just how excited people are about these designs. We’ve been overwhelmed with positive feedback from customers and colleagues.”

The BEA liveried A319 is the second aircraft with heritage designs to enter the British Airways fleet following the arrival of its BOAC 747 long-haul counterpart last month. Next to arrive with be another 747, this time with a British Airways Landor livery. And one final design will be revealed later this month as the airline celebrates its past while looking to the future.


(Images British Airways)



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