August 26, 2009
British Airways (BA) is today celebrating the 90th anniversary of the launch of its first daily international air service from London to Paris.
The flight was operated by BA’s precursor, Air Transport and Travel, using a De Havilland Airco-4A biplane that had room for just a single passenger as well as the pilot.
Since then the airline has expanded to carry more than 1.2 billion passengers around the world, while BA in its current state was formed in 1974 following the merger of the long-haul British Airways Executive Club and the short-haul British European Airways.
Paying tribute to the airline’s anniversary, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: “BA has never lost the pioneering spirit and vision that saw it take to the skies with the world’s first daily international flight from London to Paris on this day in 1919.
“Ninety years on, the world’s most iconic airline is still proudly flying the flag and remains a great British brand. Many congratulations to all its staff – past and present, on this special day.”
BA chairman Martin Broughton said: “Over the past nine decades, BA has played its part in many historic episodes.
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“We provided the first air links to far-flung capitals in the days of the empire, flew Winston Churchill across the Atlantic during wartime, brought Queen Elizabeth back to Britain after the passing of George VI, repeatedly led the way with aircraft innovation and have often proudly transported home our sports teams from success overseas.
“We have a rich history supporting Britain and will carry this forward to our centenary and beyond.”
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