Traveling around the world has become an integral part of the lives of many people. However, very few people are satisfied with the long time spent on the road to the destination. Therefore, more and more travelers prefer an airplane as a means of transportation. When the decision on the type of transport has been made, the choice of the airline is ahead, which is not easy for an inexperienced person. We will learn more about how the leading British air carrier, British Airways, works.
History and current state of the airline
The company's history dates back to 1924, when four little-known British airlines merged to form Imperial Airways. In 1935, this carrier, which absorbed many more small airlines, was renamed British Airways Ltd. It was then that British Airways became famous in the world. In 1939, the British government decided to nationalize the company.
Until 1972, the airline mastered new types of aircraft and new routes, changed names and created subsidiaries. The name "British Airways" reappeared in 1972.
In 1974, the company commissioned the Concorde supersonic passenger aircraft. At almost the same time, Air France decided to include such aircraft for commercial flights.
In the early 1980s, the company, as one of the most famous air carriers in the world, suffered huge losses. Therefore, the country's government made a strategic decision on its privatization. Preparation of the state-owned carrier for sale lasted several years and was accompanied by significant staff reductions. In 1987, the company's shares began to be traded on the stock exchange.
Today British Airways is a private carrier and member of the Oneworld alliance. A distinctive feature of the company's aircraft is the coloring of the tails in the colors of the British flag.
Despite the fact that an attempt was made to change the coloring of the tails, they finally decided to abandon this idea.
The main bases of the company are located at Heathrow and Gatwick airports. Both airports serve London. The main office of the company is also located in London.
Directions of the company's flights
British Airways planes fly virtually all over the world - from cold Helsinki to South Africa. Flights to Australia, New York and Los Angeles are very popular, as well as to popular resorts in exotic countries.
At the same time, in the vastness of the former USSR, it was British Airways that significantly ousted the former monopolist, Aeroflot.
The airline currently operates regular flights to Russia, not only to Moscow and St. Petersburg, but also to cities such as Ufa, Kazan, Rostov-on-Don, Nizhny Novgorod, Perm, Samara, Krasnodar. Only from Moscow Domodedovo Airport to Terminal 5 of Heathrow Airport there are up to 21 flights every week.
The Moscow office is located on Chistoprudny Boulevard at 17, building 1, Boulevard Ring business center. Representative office phone: +7 499 951-27-19.
As for other CIS countries, British Airways planes fly to Tallinn, Almaty, Riga, Baku, Odessa, Bishkek, Kiev, Vilnius, Yerevan.
Aircraft fleet
British Airways will operate the following aircraft brands and models in 2021:
- Airbus 318-100 is a 32-passenger aircraft with a range of up to 3,600 miles, produced by a European aviation concern. There is 1 aircraft of this model in the fleet.
- The Airbus 319-100 is a shortened version of the A320, accommodating 144 passengers and capable of flying up to 6,700 km. There are 44 such cars in the fleet.
- Airbus 320-200 - the liner can accommodate 177 passengers and is capable of flying up to 5900 km. There are 67 aircraft.
- Airbus 321-200 is an extended version of the A320. Passenger capacity - 205 people, flight range up to 5600 km. There are 18 cars in the park.
- Airbus A380 - the aircraft has 2 decks, is able to accommodate up to 469 passengers and transport them over a distance of 15,400 km. The company has 12 such liners.
- Boeing 747-400 is an American airliner for 345 passengers, capable of carrying them over a distance of 13,450 km. There are 36 such cars in the park.
- Boeing 757-200 - operated by subsidiary airline OpenSkies. It takes on board up to 114 people, except for the crew, and transports them over a distance of 6857 km. There are 3 aircraft.
- Boeing 767-300 - passenger capacity up to 244 people, flight range up to 11065 km.
- Boeing 777-200 - accommodates up to 336 passengers, flights up to 6857 km. There are 46 liners.
- Boeing 777-300 - passenger capacity up to 299 people, flight range up to 14,865 km. There are 12 such aircraft in the fleet.
- Boeing 787-8. Takes on board up to 214 passengers and transports them up to 15,200 km. There are 9 of these machines.
- Boeing 787-9 - takes up to 216 passengers and transports them up to 15,400 km. There are 17 liners.
- The Embraer 170 is a Brazilian aircraft operated by BA's CityFlyer subsidiary. Accommodates up to 76 passengers, travels up to 3334 km. 6 cars.
- Embraer 190 - passenger capacity up to 98 people, flight range up to 334 km. There are 14 liners.
Some of the aircraft have reduced real capacity and luxurious finishes. These liners are designed for passengers who can buy a ticket for business flights in the most comfortable conditions.
Of course, the competition from low-cost airlines could not go unnoticed - this is what explains the creation of several subsidiaries of British Airways with less comfort and lower prices.
However, British Airways positions itself as a full-cycle airline, so meals on board in its planes are organized even for medium-haul flights. The location of the seats and the distance between their rows allow passengers to sit comfortably enough, therefore this company is especially appreciated by those for whom comfort is more important than money.
British Airways offers its passengers a range of travel classes including First, Business and Economy.
Business class passengers are accommodated most comfortably - the level of service and food menu are the best here. Therefore, those who do not set themselves the goal of buying a ticket at the lowest price and are ready to go for additional expenses in order to ensure the most comfortable conditions during sometimes very long flight, of course, it is better to purchase tickets for business or first class.
How to check in for a flight
There are several ways to check in for a British Airways flight. The classic option is check-in at the airport.
If you choose this option, there are special British Airways kiosks at the airports that allow you to independently check-in and print your boarding pass. To register, you will need a booking number or an identity document - in this capacity, you can use an executive club card, credit and debit cards or a passport.
If you have any problems, you can check in at the counter. Those departing from Gatwick Airport before 15.15 can check in at the airport 24 hours in advance.
A more modern way, of course, is online check-in - it can be done both from a computer and using mobile applications.
If you work with a computer, on the official website of the company, hover the cursor over the "Manage booking" section - a drop-down window will appear, go into it and register.
You can register from 24 hours before the departure of the aircraft.
The British Airways mobile app offers a range of other benefits, including in-flight, and is therefore recommended for everyone to download.
Enter the required details, get a promo code and activate your account. Then everything is simple: go to "Manage Booking" and follow the instructions.
Check in in the mobile application is available 24 hours before departure. The application itself will remind you to register.
Received boarding pass can be printed or used as an electronic version directly on your mobile device.
Check-in for short-haul flights ends 45 minutes, for long-haul flights - 1 hour before departure.
Baggage
The rules for carrying baggage may differ depending on the specific flight and the direction of the flight. Basic - Hand Baggage Only fares apply.
The dimensions of the baggage should not be too large: there are special display tables on which each piece of baggage must fit completely, together with wheels and handles.
In general, the baggage allowance is as follows:
- One passenger over 2 years old is allowed to carry one piece of hand luggage measuring 40 x 30 x 15 cm and weighing up to 23 kg. In addition, one additional piece of baggage with dimensions of 56 x 45 x 25 cm and weighing up to 23 kg is allowed. This seat must be checked in to the hold;
- additional baggage, if it is not prohibited by the rules of the flight, is accepted for carriage for an additional fee;
- for an infant under 2 years old, it is allowed to carry 1 piece of hand luggage measuring 56 x 45 x 25 cm and weighing up to 23 kg with items that he may need during the flight.
Carry-on baggage allowed to be carried into the aircraft cabin is marked with yellow airline stickers. The presence of such a sticker is a permission to enter the salon with this luggage.
Service level
The staff of the company is polite and courteous to all passengers. However, the degree of comfort and the availability of various additional options depend on the class of service of the purchased ticket. Of course, as the cost of the ticket increases, the comfort and quality of service increase.
For regular customers - members of the Executive Club - additional benefits are provided, which depend on the number of miles of flights with British Airways.
Airline contact details
Address: British Airways Plc, Waterside, PO Box 365, Harmondsworth, UB7 0GB. Phone: +44 (20) 8738 5050
You can go to the official website of the company by following the link.
Finally
British Airways is the UK's largest airline and one of the most powerful airlines in the world. The flights made by the aircraft of this company to most countries of the planet are distinguished by a high level of comfort and service compared to low-cost airlines. However, competition has led to the creation of subsidiaries of British Airways with budgetary prices.
