The airline boasts one of the most identifiable paint schemes, but how did it come about? Key.Aero recounts the history of the flag carrier’s colours
Instantly recognisable, British Airways’ current livery is the third version the flag carrier has used since its formation in 1974. Dubbed Chatham Dockyard, the scheme has been in use since 1997, but what about before then?
The very first livery the Heathrow-based firm used was the ‘Negus’ design, which adorned its aircraft for a decade between 1974 and 1984. As British European Airways (BEA) and British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) merged to become British Airways that year, elements from both of their liveries were incorporated together to create this new scheme, which was designed by creative agency Negus & Negus.
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