The second design in our series of heritage liveries can be revealed today - an Airbus 319 will be painted in the colours of our short-haul predecessor, British European Airways (BEA).
The A319, reg G-EUPJ, will enter the IAC paint bay at Shannon Airport this weekend where it will be repainted with the BEA livery, which flew predominantly on domestic and European routes between 1959 and 1968. However, the aircraft will have a grey upper wing, rather than the traditional red, to meet current wing paint reflectivity requirements.
It will return to Heathrow and enter service next month flying across the UK and Europe, with the design remaining on the aircraft until it retires next year. The aircraft can be followed using tracking website Flightradar24, which will feature a special image of the livery.
The announcement comes after huge crowds turned out to see the first heritage livery – a 747 in British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) colours – touch down at Heathrow on Monday, with more arriving at the airport the following day to see it depart on its first flight to New York.
Alex Cruz, our Chairman and CEO, said: "There's been plenty of speculation about our next heritage livery, so it's great to finally be able to make this exciting announcement. BEA is an important part of our history, and many customers and colleagues will have fond memories flying on its aircraft.
"We're sure this latest livery will bring back a flood of emotions and pride in not only British Airways, but the UK's impressive history – and what better time to do that than in our centenary year as we celebrate our past and look to the future. I can't wait to see this classic design taking back to the skies."
