British Airways at 100: the airline pictured through the years

British Airways is celebrating 100 years of flying.

While thousands of its passengers aren't in the mood for balloons and bunting after the airline incorrectly advised travellers that their upcoming flights were cancelled, the occasion nonetheless has been marked with full fanfare this weekend by British Airways (BA).

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BA's journey started on August 25, 1919 when the first international flight by the airline’s predecessor, Air Transport & Travel (AT&T) operated from Hounslow Heath (near to where Heathrow Airport is now) to Paris with a single-engine De Havilland DH4A aircraft.

To commemorate that first service the aircraft that was painted in the original British European Airways’ (BEA) livery earlier this year will operate the BA314 service to Paris Charles de Gaulle on Sunday, before flying around the airline’s UK network throughout the rest of the bank holiday weekend.

Those flying on short-haul services will be treated to Hotel Chocolat giveaways, while on long-haul flights customers will be served menus from Michelin-starred British chef, Tom Kerridge. Those in First and Club World receive special edition centenary amenity kits.

BA launched four heritage aircraft earlier this year, starting with the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) livery on a Boeing 747, which flew between 1952 and 1974.

This was followed the airline’s British European Airways heritage on an A319, which flew predominantly on European and domestic routes between 1959 and 1968. Two B747s received the Negus livery (1974 to 1980) and Landor (1984 to 1997).