British Airways has unveiled plans for its third retro livery, as part of the carrier’s centenary celebrations.
One of the carrier’s Boeing B747s (registration G-BNLY) will be painted in the Landor scheme – a design used on BA aircraft between 1984 and 1997 before it was replaced by the current Chatham Dockyard design.
The picture above is of a BA aircraft painted in the Landor scheme, arriving into Phoenix in 1996.
The jumbo has entered the paintshop at Dublin airport and will enter service later this month, with the livery set to remain on the aircraft until it is retired in 2023.
The tailfin of the B747 will also feature the carrier’s motto “To Fly. To Serve.”, and will be renamed “city of Swansea – the name it had when it originally sported the Landor livery.
The special Landor livery is part of a series of retro designs – last month BA unveiled a B747 painted in a BOAC livery, and an A319 is also being painted in the BEA scheme.
Commenting on the news Alex Cruz, British Airways’ Chairman and CEO, said:
“Today’s announcement follows the exciting arrival of our BOAC 747 aircraft and the upcoming unveiling of an A319 in BEA colours. The passion and pride we’ve seen for our heritage liveries so far, from both customers and colleagues, has been both phenomenal and humbling.
“We’re really thrilled to announce Landor as the latest iconic scheme to join the fleet as part of our centenary celebrations and we’re sure this excitement will be reflected around the world.”
There has been speculation on our forum as to which other retro liveries will be given a new lease of life – poster JohnnyG has correctly predicted the designs and aircraft so far, and states that the fourth and final retro livery will be a B747 in the carrier’s Negus scheme.
British Airways traces its history back to August 1919, when Aircraft Transport and Travel Limited launched the world’s first daily international scheduled air service, between London and Paris. A potted history of the airline can be seen here.
The carrier is also set to unveil new uniforms this year, designed by British designer Ozwald Boateng OBE.
