The Flag Carrier for the United Kingdom, British Airways is the largest airline in the UK and one of the biggest in Europe and a pioneer in innovations with plane travel.

Type: Private with some Public Funding

Fleet Size: 295 Aircraft

Routes: 188

Air Operators Certificate Number: 441

Call sign: Speedbird

IATA Designator: BA

Hub: London Heathrow Airport and Gatwick Airport

Alliance: Oneworld (Founding Member)

Manufacturer and Powerplant: British Airways is a longtime customer of Boeing incorporating almost all major Boeing flagship models for procurement all the way back starting with the Boeing 707 and 747 models. It expanded its fleet in 2007 when it placed orders for Boeing 777-200s and Boeing 787 Dreamliners. British Airways has also procured from Airbus placing orders for Airbus A380s at the same time. British Airways aircraft are usually fitted with General Electric GE-90 Engines but opted to switch to Rolls-Royce Trent 800 Engines on its fleet of Boeing 777s. British Airways is the worlds largest operator of the Boeing 747 with 54 in registered operation.

Fare Collection: British Airways tickets are sold at its Terminals where it has presence as well as online. Its boarding passes prominently display its company logo as well is the logo of its air alliance Oneworld. If any special arrangements are requested and paid for they will be displayed on the boarding pass to make flight attendants aware of your requests.

Frequent Flyer Program and First Class Arrangements: British Airways frequent flyer program is known as the Executive Club. Its perks typically include priority boarding, some discounts and access to the "Concorde Room" lounge at British Airways Terminals in London and New York City. First Class is offered on flights hosted by Boeing 747, 777 and 787s when they launch as well as Airbus A380s. First Class passengers receive a 6 by 6 "demi-cabin" (similar to an office cubicle) which feature a bed, a 15-inch wide screen TV and power hookups for various carry on electronics.

Livery and Tail Flash: British Airways livery feature blue running paint on the under body of the aircraft as well as the British Airways logo in its own company typeface and the recognizable company "ribbon". Most aircraft use the standard "Union Jack" Tail Flash but some aircraft on dedicated routes to certain countries may have "ethnic" tail flashes as a celebration of friendship and communication. Some tail flashes were designed for special events or causes such as the 2012 Olympic Games which were hosted in London.

Innovations: Along with Air France, British Airways operated one of the only commercial Supersonic Aircraft in existence the Concorde. Concorde's top speed was twice the speed of sound at mach 2.04 and British Airways operated this aircraft for 27 years until its retirement in 2003. British Airways used Concorde for Trans-Atlantic flights mostly to and from London Heathrow, JFK Airport in New York City and Washington Dulles Airport in Washington DC. British Airways Concorde flights also went into France via Charles De Gaulle Airport as well as some flights to Barbados.