The Boeing 767 has been a mainstay of the British Airways fleet, playing a crucial role in its long- and short-haul networks for almost three decades. David Ransted travels to Cyprus to join the type’s final flight and reflects on the venerable aircraft’s time with the British carrier.
The 1980s was a period of transition for British Airways (BA). It was during this time that the carrier was privatised, moving from state-owned, loss-making behemoth to a leaner, profitable operator, streamlining its workforce and overhauling its fleet to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving market.
This included introducing the Boeing 737, while removing ageing, less efficient types such as the 707 and Hawker Siddeley HS121 Trident.
Two Vs Three In the mid-sized widebody fleet, the carrier began looking for a replacement for its Lockheed L-1011 TriStars, which had provided sterling service on high-density, shorthaul networks and on the thinner long-haul routes that couldn’t sustain the larger Boeing 747 year-round.
The immediate priority was the short-range TriStar 1. British Airways had already drafted the 757 into service in 1983, so it was not entirely unexpected when the carrier turned to its stablemate, the 767. …
