Air travellers of a certain age at Dublin Airport on Monday could have been forgiven for thinking they'd gone back to 1964 as a British Overseas Airways Corporation Boeing 747 powered down the runway, bound for London Heathrow.
The reality was that British Airways rolled out special edition livery as part of its centenary celebrations. The plane will enter service from Tuesday.
Ready for takeoff and looking fine @DublinAirport #BOAC 747. Get ready @HeathrowAirport you’re in for a treat. #BA100 #avgeek @British_Airways. pic.twitter.com/kDY1LuWvpY
— Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) February 18, 2019
The BOAC livery was used from 1964 to 1974. British Airways said further designs would be revealed in due course.
Monday's 747 was deliberately chosen for the BOAC livery as it is a later variant of the same aircraft type that sported the design when the state-owned airline first operated.
“Our history has shaped who we are today, so our centenary is the perfect moment to revisit our heritage and the UK’s aviation landscape through this iconic livery,” said Alex Cruz, British Airways’ chairman and chief executive.
The #BA100 beginning the descent into @HeathrowAirport.
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) February 18, 2019
📡 https://t.co/4K0QotvuWZ pic.twitter.com/cm9LoA8tpi
The BOAC livery will remain on the Boeing 747 until it retires in 2023. By this time, British Airways will have retired most of its 747 fleet.
Aviation enthusiasts shared their joy at the sight of the "gorgeous" livery on social media.
How gorgeous does @British_Airways 747-400 G-BYGC look in it's BOAC retro livery. Are they going to have one in BEA livery too?? Fair enough it's not as attractive but it was the joining of the 2 companies that made BA! #BA100 pic.twitter.com/FqkzqwOFXf
— Maaaaaaaaark!!! 🏳️🌈🇪🇺 (@ThisIsMarksLife) February 17, 2019
On board G-BYGC! Some facts and figures! Turn it up to hear me over the noise!#BASMART #BA100 @British_Airways pic.twitter.com/QiQncTfx9K
— shesgotwings777 (@shesgotwings777) February 18, 2019
In 1972, the businesses of BOAC and British European Airways were combined under the newly formed British Airways Board, with the separate airlines coming together as British Airways in 1974.
The Boeing 747 recently celebrated 50 years since its first flight, although the "Queen of the Skies" is gradually being replaced by newer models.