double deck wide body engine jet manufactured european_union manufacturer world largest passenger airports operates upgraded facilities accommodate initially named designed challenge boeing monopoly large aircraft market flight april entered commercial service october singapore upper deck extends entire length fuselage width equivalent wide body aircraft gives cabin square metres usable floor space largest boeing provides seating people typical class configuration people economy class configuration design range nautical miles serving second longest non stop scheduled flight world cruising speed mph cruising altitude received firm orders delivered aircraft biggest customer order delivered thai international british operators development background engineers led jean began work secret development ultra high capacity complete range products break dominance boeing enjoyed market segment early 1970s douglas unsuccessfully offered smaller double deck concept sale given approval formal presentation president ceo june announced air stated goal lower operating costs organised teams designers partners british propose new technologies future aircraft designs designs presented competitive designs january boeing companies consortium started joint feasibility study large commercial transport aiming form partnership share limited market joint study abandoned years later boeing interest having declined analysts thought product unlikely cover projected billion development cost despite fact expressed public interest purchasing plane pursuing large plane project analysts suggested boeing instead pursue stretching design air travel moving away hub spoke system consolidated traffic large planes non stop routes served smaller planes june announced plan develop large designated considered designs including unusual combination largest jet time pitted study boeing new large aircraft successor east asian financial crisis market outlook refined design targeting reduction operating costs existing boeing design double layout provided passenger volume traditional single deck design line traditional hub spoke theory opposed point point theory boeing conducting extensive market analysis focus groups early marketing huge cross section touted possibility duty free shops restaurant like dining beauty board realities airline economics kept dreams grounded december board newly voted launch billion programme build christened firm orders launch customers designation break previous families progressed chosen number resembles double deck cross section lucky number asian countries aircraft marketed aircraft configuration finalised early manufacturing wing box component started january development cost grown billion aircraft completed production major structural sections built france germany spain united_kingdom sections large size traditional transportation methods proved brought jean plant assembly hall france specialised surface transportation parts moved transport aircraft movement model components components provided suppliers world largest contributors value rolls united technologies general_electric surface movement large structural components complex route known grand developed involved construction fleet roll roll ships barges construction port facilities development new modified roads accommodate road convoys rear fuselage sections shipped ships hamburg northern germany united_kingdom wings manufactured north wales transported barge docks ship transport saint western france ship exchanges fuselage sections hamburg larger assembled sections include nose ship ship picks belly tail sections southern spain delivers parts transported barge road convoys assembly hall order avoid damage direct handling parts secured custom carried self powered wheeled vehicles assembly aircraft flown hamburg airport furnished painted sized production facilities supply chain production rate month testing built testing demonstration purposes registered unveiled january flew april plane equipped rolls trent engines flew international airport crew headed chief test pilot said flying like handling bicycle december achieved maximum design speed design cruise speed shallow dive flew high altitude test international airport conducted second high altitude test airport january flew international airport colombia testing went international airport test engine operation high altitude airports arrived north_america february landing canada cold weather testing february destructive wing strength certification test test wing failed limit load short required level announced modifications adding wing provide required strength march underwent evacuation certification hamburg exits blocked mixed passengers crew exited aircraft seconds seconds required certification days later received european aviation safety agency united_states federal aviation administration approval carry passengers engines serial number registration flew august september passenger carrying flight test took place aircraft flew employees board test passenger facilities comfort november series route proving flights demonstrated aircraft performance flight hours typical airline operating conditions test aircraft continue perform test procedures obtained type certificates model december joint ceremony company french headquarters receiving code model obtained type certificate december production delivery delays initial production troubled delays attributed aircraft cited underlying causes complexity cabin wires concurrent design production high degree airline failures configuration management change control german spanish facilities continued use version british french sites migrated version caused overall configuration management problems wire manufactured aluminium copper necessitated special design rules including non standard dimensions bend easily transferred versions software announced delay june notified deliveries delayed months reduced total number planned deliveries end june announced second delay delivery schedule slipping additional seven months delivery planned end deliveries drop aircraft deliveries end cut aircraft announcement caused drop share price parent led departure ceo ceo programme manager charles champion october completion review program ceo christian announced delay pushing delivery october followed deliveries production rate aircraft year delay increased earnings projected billion work freighter orders cancelled ups converted suspended work freighter version said remained offer albeit service entry date passenger version negotiated revised delivery schedule compensation customers retained orders placing subsequent orders including singapore air france korean air announced reduced deliveries years manufacturing setbacks announced plan deliver previously revised target total delivered delivered expected rolls engine availability problems planned deliver month fact delivered units predicted output time july production aircraft month production problems challenging interiors interiors installed concurrently smaller planes union government objections july announced step starting deliver aircraft year deliveries firm warned production slip red ink aircraft produced time production remain black company continue improve efficiency industrial system achieve aircraft targets additional cost reduction initiatives lower healthy demand aircraft allow avoid job losses cuts entry service nicknamed registered delivered singapore october entered service october flight number singapore sydney passengers bought seats charity online auction paying months later singapore ceo stated performing better airline anticipated burning fuel seat mile airline fleet tim clark claimed better fuel economy technical dispatch reliability singapore committed reach industry standard second airline receive commenced service new_york august followed flights melbourne los_angeles october end passengers flown flights february passenger flown singapore year passengers flown flights air france received october received july service transported million passengers flights international destinations delivered 100th march malaysia june million passengers flown million passengers averaging flight september availability stated fleet load factors popularity aircraft passengers decreased past year post delivery issues repairs following flight engine failure incident cracks discovered wing fittings result european aviation safety agency issued directive january affected aircraft accumulated flights flight hours inspected weeks flights aircraft flight hours examined days flights fittings found cracked replaced february checks extended cover aircraft operation problem considered minor expected affect operations acknowledged cost repairs million borne company said problem traced stress material fittings additionally major seeking compensation revenue lost result cracks subsequent grounding fleets switched different type aluminium aircraft delivered onwards issue changing doors leak flight occurrence resulted dropped oxygen masks emergency landing switch expected cost million states safety sufficient air pressure pushes door frame design overview initially offered models original configuration carried passengers class configuration passengers main deck upper deck single class economy configuration began marketing configuration fewer passengers total classes traded nmi range better reflect trends premium class accommodation design range model nmi capable flying hong_kong new_york sydney istanbul non stop second model freighter carry tonnes cargo range nmi freighter development hold passenger version cargo orders cancelled future variants include stretch seating passengers passengers economy configuration extended range version passenger capacity engines available types engines rolls trent variants engine alliance trent derivative trent roots trent core scaled version trent incorporates swept fan technology trent derived core derived fan low pressure turbo machinery noise reduction important requirement design particularly affects engine design engine types allow aircraft achieve departure arrival noise limits count system set london airport key destination received award reduced noise field measurements suggest approach allocation overly generous compared older boeing rolls supporting understanding relatively high trent monitored noise levels initially planned thrust incorporating sufficient braking capacity elected equip engines thrust late stage development helping brakes runway slippery engines reducing debris stirred landing electrically thrust giving better reliability hydraulic addition saving weight demonstrated viability synthetic fuel comprising standard jet fuel natural gas derived component february hour test flight operated britain france engines mix standard jet gas fuel supplied shell aircraft needed modifications fuel designed mixed normal jet fuel head alternative fuel programme said cleaner terms standard fuel contains generating air quality benefits auxiliary power comprises auxiliary power unit electronic control box mounting hardware use primarily provides air power analysis ground station ground start engines semi automatic analysis system flight data helps management maintenance reduce costs powers electric generators provide auxiliary electric power aircraft wings wing sized maximum takeoff weight tonnes accommodate future versions albeit internal strengthening required freighter optimal wingspan weight airport restrictions limited lowering aspect ratio reduces fuel efficiency increases operating costs percent given fuel costs constitute cost long haul airplane operation common wing design approach sacrifices fuel efficiency weight penalty passenger model estimates aircraft size coupled uses advanced technology provide lower operating costs passenger older variants includes devices similar found reduce induced drag increasing fuel efficiency range materials fuselage aluminium composite materials comprise airframe carbon reinforced plastic glass reinforced plastic reinforced plastic extensively wings fuselage sections rear end fuselage tail surfaces doors commercial central wing box carbon reinforced plastic smoothly wing cross section wings commercial span wise sections flowing continuous cross section aerodynamic efficiency leading edges hybrid metal material glass aluminium reinforced upper fuselage leading edges aluminium glass lighter better impact resistance conventional aluminium aviation unlike earlier composite materials repaired conventional aluminium repair techniques application long history shows complex nature innovations aircraft industry newer aluminium enables widespread use laser beam manufacturing techniques eliminating rows resulting lighter stronger structure high strength aluminium type reinforced carbon wing reduce weight cracks discovered new sets critical standard aluminium increasing weight repair costs earlier aircraft expected million million takes gal paint cover exterior paint layers thick weighs employs integrated architecture advanced military aircraft lockheed martin lockheed martin lightning main systems developed group designed developed suite suite technological innovation computing support different applications data networks use switched implementation switched star based fast reduces required similar cockpit layout procedures handling characteristics aircraft reducing crew training costs improved glass cockpit fly wire flight controls linked sticks cockpit liquid crystal displays physically identical comprising primary flight displays navigation displays engine display system display multi function displays introduced provide easy use interface flight management system replacing control display units include keyboards graphical point click display system network systems heart cockpit charts traditionally eliminate onboard backup paper documents network system stores data offers electronic documentation providing required equipment list navigation charts performance calculations aircraft accessed controlled keyboard interface power wire flight control time civil aviation primary hydraulic certain manoeuvres augment primary self contained hydraulic electrical power supplies electro elevator electric hydraulic motors drive electrical backup rudder bar psi hydraulic system significant difference typical bar psi commercial aircraft 1940s military aircraft high pressure reduce weight size related components bar pressure generated hydraulic pumps hydraulic lines typically system features air cooled heat self contained electrically powered hydraulic power packs serve primary systems instead secondary hydraulic system saving weight reducing maintenance uses variable frequency electrical generators eliminating constant speed drives improving reliability uses aluminium power cables instead copper weight reduction electrical power system fully breakers replaced solid state devices better performance increased reliability passenger provisions cabin features reduce traveller fatigue interior higher previous generation aircraft equivalent altitude cabin noise cabin area volume larger windows bigger overhead extra versus seating options range room residence class economy aircraft economy seats range width economy seats wide abreast configuration compared abreast configuration typically seats wide upper lower decks connected fore aft wide accommodate passengers cabin arrangement allows multiple seat configurations maximum certified carrying capacity passengers economy class layout lists typical class layout passengers business economy class seats airline configurations range korean air passengers class seats copenhagen average seats air proposed passenger layout come fruition interior illumination system uses cabin cockpit cargo decks cabin altered create daylight night intermediate levels outside aircraft hid lighting brighter illumination publicity stressed comfort space cabin advertised onboard areas bars beauty duty free shops restaurants proposed amenities resembled installed earlier particularly 1970s wide body jets largely gave way regular seats passenger capacity acknowledged cabin proposals unlikely installed ultimately decision interior industry analysts suggested implementing slowed production speeds raised costs delivery delays singapore air france debuted seat designs different aircraft prior initial operators typically class service adding extra features passengers premium launch customer singapore introduced partly enclosed class featuring leather seat separate bed center joined create double bed year later debuted new class seat bed lounge upper deck air france unveiled upper deck electronic art gallery late introduced shower class allowing class passenger minutes hot water drawing tonnes water bar lounge seating area upper deck enclosed areas people addition lounge areas operators installed amenities consistent aircraft respective fleets including self serve bars premium economy sections redesigned business class seating hamburg aircraft interiors expo april saw presentation seat row economy cabin reacting changing economy recession began saw drop market percentage class business seats percent increase budget economy travelers causes reluctance employers pay executives travel business class chief cabin marketing told aviation week space technology standard class cabin longer reflected market conditions seat row accompanied similar options integration infrastructure regulations ground operations 1990s aircraft manufacturers planning introduce larger planes boeing common effort international civil aviation organization manufacturers airports member agencies metre box created airport gates allowing planes wingspan length accommodated designed according guidelines operate safely group metres width initially opposed july agreed let operate restrictions approximately larger overall size runway lighting signage need changes provide clearance wings avoid blast damage engines runway shoulders shoulders required reduce likelihood foreign object damage caused engines centre line aircraft compared measured pavement loads short tons test rig designed replicate landing gear rig towed section pavement facilities embedded load sensors determined pavement need reinforced despite higher weight distributed wheels passenger aircraft total wheels ground pressure lower consists main landing gear legs similar layout landing gear legs supporting wheels requires service vehicles lifts capable reaching upper deck capable handling maximum ramp weight bridges boarding time min extra upper deck reduced min airport turnaround time minutes test aircraft trial modifications airports accommodate type takeoff landing separation recommended provisional separation criteria takeoff landing substantially greater preliminary flight test data suggested stronger wake criteria effect wake vortex steering group representatives refined year study issue additional flight testing september working group presented conclusions november issued new interim recommendations replacing blanket nautical miles separation aircraft trailing approach new distances nmi nmi nmi respectively non heavy medium light aircraft categories compared nmi nmi nmi applicable heavy aircraft following maintain separation nmi departure non heavy aircraft required wait minutes medium light aircraft minutes time based operations recommends pilots term super aircraft initiating communication air traffic control distinguish heavy aircraft august issued revised approach nmi super nmi heavy nmi medium small nmi light november incident parallel runway australian authorities change procedures conditions takeoff light medium aircraft wait minutes takeoff compared standard minutes aircraft types singapore describe landing speed slow maintenance fleet grows older authority rules require certain scheduled approved aircraft tool shops increasing fleet size cause expected maintenance modification cost billion billion engines performed check days lengthy shop stays use opportunity install new interiors variants improved announced new build standard incorporating strengthened airframe structure increase wing twist offer option improved maximum weight providing better range performance maximum weight increased range extended nautical miles achieved reducing flight loads partly fly wire control laws british customers received new option asked update new engines competitive studying abreast seating announced increase maximum weight initial variant higher increased weight proposal stretch range nautical miles taking capability nautical miles current higher weight version offered introduction service early november sales executive chief operating officer john confirmed plans enlarged variant seating space version seating capacity passengers standard configuration approximately passengers economy configuration expressed interest included virgin atlantic pacific air france company announced development postponed production december annual investor day forum ceo announced day launch day launch stretched following speculation sparked axe ahead time demand june john chief operating officer customers stated looking programme newest concept stretch offering seats originally envisaged stretch tied potential according better use existing wing july ceo stated company build new version featuring new improved wings new engines speculation development called neo new engine option going months earlier press releases company considering end production type prior develop new variant later revealed looking possibility longer line previously planned new engine version revealed new variant ready enter service engine likely variety new options rolls ranging derivatives future advance project june president tim clark stated talks originally accepted orders freighter version offering largest capacity cargo aircraft production exceeded single service consultant estimated better better range higher trip costs production suspended production lines settled firm availability date removed range corporate website market industry analysts philip lawrence research centre bristol richard consulting group anticipated sales respectively boeing estimate large aircraft seats respectively according lawrence parallel design conducted extensive thorough market analysis commercial aviation undertaken plans according rise mid size aircraft market reduced niche market status making plans analysts market forecasts differed incorporation spoke hub point point models difference illustrated british replaced flights london los_angeles day contrast airline strategy frequency offering multiple flights cities different times day typically relies smaller aircraft united told follows strategy offers business travelers choices united chief financial officer observed airline boeing operate lower trip cost doesn work operators air france china southern found capacity large markets china southern faced mounting losses operations hub tim clark sees large potential asian users criticised marketing efforts air france withdrew services singapore montreal switched smaller aircraft estimated demand passenger planes category years airport congestion remains current level according estimate demand reach congestion increases demand rapid economic growth asia relatively routes saturated airports world biggest airports saturated estimates demand category plus boeing offers competition class estimates demand passenger freighter period time considered potential replacement existing boeing serving air_force january declared going bid contract assembling planes financial sense break initially supposed reached selling units delays falling exchange rate dollar increased units peter ring said break aircraft delivered achieved despite delays deliveries time current projections clarified production costs build aircraft sales price march average list price million million million depending equipment installed july list price million negotiated actual prices lower industry experts questioned project pay december slower expected orders aircraft company chief finance officer voiced possibility end program statement met protests customers fall share prices responded protests playing possibility abandoned instead emphasizing enhancing airplane scenario december ceo ruled cancellation program stating break introduced decade early longer losing money plane sold admits company billion investment project expressed interest selling aircraft partially coinciding lease contracts aircraft service offered lease suggestion prompted concerns potential new sales dismissed john stated compete new stating second hand market interesting parties looking buy smaller aircraft boeing june reported discussing stretched version half dozen customers aircraft feature new engines accommodate additional passengers built delivered customers july business insider reported filed patent application offer flexibility carrying passengers cargo rapidly expand contract cargo area passenger area needed given flight hourly cost seat hour compares seat hour boeing seat hour boeing november orders deliveries nineteen customers ordered total orders stand biggest customer ordered committed order total order later cancelled version totalled orders cancelled converted following production delay subsequent suspension freighter programme delivery takes place hamburg customers europe middle_east customers rest world explained deliveries slowed temporarily accommodate replacement wing rib cracks detected earlier existing fleet hopes raising number orders placed announced placed large orders soon ordered aircraft totalling billion gave billion total equal million savings aircraft says delivered customers built decision came met accord satisfaction built aircraft undisclosed japanese airline referring specific airline assure cases order production plan chief executive officer tom said august conference discuss earnings watching situation carefully know strengths weaknesses customers customers ordered remain actually taking virgin atlantic units order book planned existing fleet expansion thrown doubt amid cost cutting drive aircraft ordered find single client jet cumulative orders deliveries data end june orders deliveries operators aircraft service operators june singapore service october service august service october air france service november service june korean air service june china southern service october malaysia service july thai service october british service august service june service october service december notable routes shortest regular commercial route flies international airport kuwait international airport miles great circle distance air france briefly operated shorter paris charles london route miles longest route second longest non stop commercial flight world service sydney international airport dallas fort worth international airport kilometres incidents accidents involved aviation occurrence hull loss accidents fatalities january according aviation safety network november flight route singapore airport sydney airport suffered engine failure resulting series related problems forcing flight return singapore injuries passengers crew people ground despite debris falling indonesian island damaged sufficiently event classified accident subsequently grounded day subject internal investigation taken conjunction engine manufacturer rolls powered engine alliance unaffected operators rolls trent powered affected investigators determined oil leak caused oil supply pipe led engine fire subsequent engine failure repairs cost estimated million rolls trent engines showed problems oil leak rolls ordered engines changed including half engines fleet airplane repair cracks discovered wing structural fittings resulted mandatory subsequent design changes specifications sources specifications


flight flight british overseas corporation service operated boeing london airport bound sydney singapore monday april suffered engine failure takeoff quickly led major fire engine fell aircraft flight aircraft successful emergency landing confusion presence check captain contributed deaths board actions taken involved accident resulted award george cross posthumously barbara jane harrison crew members received awards direct result accident changed engine severe failures engine fires combining engine fire severe failure flight flight took minutes later scheduled flight people aboard including crew augmented addition acting flight officer john check captain routine performance review pilot command captain cliff taylor passengers aircraft carrying baggage mail radioactive production unit destined university hospital jerusalem seconds feet long runway foot long designated unexpected bang aircraft started throttle controlling number engine shutting captain taylor ordered engine failure drill flight engineer thomas carried engine failure drill check captain moss reached switch cancel warning horn time officer francis inadvertently cancelled fire bell reached didn pull engine fire shut handle moss observing fire bloody hell wing fire broadcast control tower takeoff observed john davis saw initially thought sun reflecting aircraft wing initial climb davis quickly realised aircraft fire davis instructed flight left turn intention aircraft land runway hit crash button alerted emergency services declared aircraft accident emergency services informed type aircraft involved given rendezvous point assemble time windows port rear fuselage beginning melt aircraft flew burning engine broke away mounting fell gravel pit children playing causing injury time lowered selected flaps stopped degrees short travel aircraft height feet flying knots cabin crew member repeated emergency landing drill benefit passengers despite sure actually manage land aircraft exploded crew realised aircraft long enable landing declared davis cleared aircraft land runway feet long instructed aircraft perform runway crossed runway land davis know flight able stop reaching runway crew accepted davis offer runway shorter equipped taylor able safely land aircraft wheel brakes reversing engines thrust halt aircraft aircraft touched yards threshold stopped yards aircraft perfect emergency landing flight taylor asked davis permission evacuate cabin crew opening emergency doors flight crew started fire drill port wing exploded completed result fire shut handles pulled pumps electrical supply left switched short period time declared aircraft landing time emergency services lay carpet foam standard practice time evacuation cabin crew started evacuation plane come halt forward doors rear doors starboard exits passengers escaped exits fire grew intense use route forward port door escape slide caught fire person jumped people escaped starboard door crew escaped emergency cockpit rope rear starboard door escape slide twisted deployment steward taylor climbed leaving barbara jane harrison known jane harrison door assisting passengers passengers escaped route slide harrison encouraged passengers jump pushed frightened people escaped route escaped rear port door slide destroyed harrison seen alive preparing jump turned disappeared burning fuselage attempt save remaining female passengers including disabled woman year old girl actions led award george cross posthumously harrison recognition gallantry people injured killed fire fighting fire engines arrive unable stop fire drivers distance unable foam whilst foam main transfer fire engines operated meant vehicles unable problems fire exacerbated situation fire regularly painted build paint threads prevented attached driver foam tender drove closer burning aircraft discharged foam effectively fire gained hold time happened passengers aircraft carrying passengers crew people killed accident barbara jane harrison passengers severely disabled catherine young australian teacher seated mother survived row seats mary smith widow cooper year old girl parents brothers escaped helped miss harrison victims found september died fire verdict returned cases accidental death survivors pop singer mark travelling australia wedding notable survivor israeli ambassador soviet_union expelled soviet_union june day day war said told let emotions better advice ignore emergency evacuation aircraft passenger escape forward port door despite efforts stop door flight crew carried door large man seriously injured jumping doorway taken hospital initially feared sixth victim flight recovered days died aged aircraft involved aircraft involved accident boeing registered manufacturer serial number boeing line number flown june aircraft originally operated eagle entered service sold delivered july november aircraft suffered engine failure honolulu international airport aborted injuries passengers crew time accident aircraft flown total hours aircraft lloyd london salvage nose section salvaged use test purposes total flight program april nose santa barbara support modification references nose repair damaged incorrect nose fire damaged use repair donor boeing originally flight rome athens cockpit destroyed bomb damascus syria august rest airframe found undamaged received new nose section boeing production line investigation subsequent investigation metal fatigue ultimately blamed failure number wheel number rolls conway engine starting rapid chain failures crew shut fuel engine blamed rapid growth fire loss aircraft check captain moss accidentally cancelled fire warning bell instead warning bell moss issued orders captain taylor breach normal protocol duties report accident stated captain taylor moss act extra set eyes ears inside outside cockpit moss actions seen acting moss alerted crew fire aware number engine fallen evacuation ground result investigation lessons learned chain events combined engine fire drill engine severe failure drill list called engine fire severe failure drill modifications including adding confirmation fire handles pulled whiskey echo number port engine constructed run hours new overhauled spring vibration caused metal fatigue led failure stage high pressure blade engine removed service flame tube deterioration repairs low pressure number wheel original component overhauled wheel tested fatigue november engine bench tested rejected excessive vibration high pressure later released following analysis hours service modification turbine seals april number engine port wing whiskey echo scheduled fly long haul sydney australia days later shortly takeoff april according investigations rolls 5th stage low pressure wheel failed fatigue run radius wheel web rim causing secondary failures wheels parts engine wheel burst disconnected main fuel pipe fuel pumped gallons minute fire engine following destruction caused engine broken blaze soon caused engine fatally weaken gave way led engine falling wing fuel pump continued function intensifying fire spread wing sweeping forward leading edge tail landing application reverse thrust westerly runway blew flames underneath wing set light fuselage rapidly intensifying fire spread plane ignited fuel lines oxygen tanks seconds whiskey echo coming stop caused series explosions broke fuselage set fire cabin ultimately resulting deaths people awards queen elizabeth_ii awarded barbara jane harrison posthumous george cross presented woman peacetime medal accepted behalf father harrison youngest female recipient george cross davis gordon awarded british_empire medal gallantry john davis appointed member excellent order british_empire citation barbara jane harrison reads citation davis gordon reads addition air traffic control officer john davis responsible flight spotted port engine fire ground appointed mistakes cockpit day captain cliff taylor acting officer john managed safely land aircraft having lost engine fire carrying gallons fuel testing circumstances certainly saved lives taylor recommended award following publication official inquiry report august decision taken ministerial level recognise member flight crew taylor received officer francis check captain moss flight engineer thomas captain taylor awarded british airline pilots association gold medal


short air lines referred simply flag carrier wholly owned country government founded december commenced operations april expanding international flights firm share company changed air lines airline member international air transport association african association star alliance member having joined december hub headquarters international airport serves network passenger destinations domestic freighter ones flies destinations africa carrier fastest growing companies industry largest african continent profitable sub region airline cargo division awarded african cargo airline year early recently won best regional airline year award 41st annual airline industry achievement awards air transport world held washington february history 1940s early years liberation emperor asked united_states united_kingdom france help establish airline effort according bbc news possible emperor intended creation quality national airline help impressions poverty government began negotiations air transport western air express later merged september signed agreement american historian foreign affairs advisor john establish commercial aviation company carrier originally called air lines founded december initial investment million divided shares entirely held government company financed government managed beginning relied american pilots technicians administrators general managers minister works communications president chairman american appointed general manager board held meeting december key point agenda deposit bank cairo acquisition aircraft spare parts shortly airline negotiations landing rights egypt french saudi_arabia douglas bought aircraft flown february new airline maiden flight carrying shipment east african currency equivalent million february april carrier revenue scheduled service travelled cairo route douglas acquired government route later operated weekly basis initially intended military use operated mixed passenger cargo configuration soon carrier launched services domestic flight main routes early years cairo routed henry bruce replaced general manager june july year incorporated fleet new scheduled services launched july june respectively gene carrier general manager company started operating charter flights season year february douglas acquired operate new international routes service inaugurated june september port added route network previously served technical landing route cairo incorporated scheduled destination october charter flights bombay launched november services discontinued february april respectively september route bombay started flown scheduled basis cooperation carrying passengers far british enterprise flying bombay sector route included stops island brief period april island stop services french started twice weekly basis allowed fly airport located kilometres away city airport facilities miles away city british rule time british denied landing rights forcing airline stop route port carrier recorded profit 1950s start long haul routes services bombay withdrawn july year equivalent loan granted bank enabled carrier incorporate aimed operating international routes named eagle entered fleet december starting january aircraft subsequently deployed cairo routes incorporated route network february april airline appointed general sales agent kenya year fleet consisted liner douglas operating route network miles long services india discontinued new agreement succeeded original signed unlike companies airline stated ultimate aim shall eventually operated entirely personnel new service athens launched april spiritual power purchased equivalent aircraft equipped rocket assisted devices common practice small number world abandoned april inaugurated self owned maintenance facility year succeeded general manager company carrier need newer larger aircraft different aircraft types lockheed corporation douglas considered fleet renewal programme douglas eventually ordered million including option machine taken loan obtained bank million dating partly finance purchased aircraft briefly served november january purchased likewise year airline asked lockheed given gift emperor declined paid million airframe incorporated fleet june aircraft destroyed fire accident cities served september flights terminated incorporation douglas took place july started new link athens cairo recently delivered aircraft route extended north south frankfurt linked corridor operated time serve domestic regional routes given radio operators longer required flight crews assigned tasks airline handled pilot training aircraft suspension fifth freedom rights prompted route linked joined international air transport association january year boeing ordered scheduled delivery december entered fleet services suspended airline list domestic destinations saw incorporation 1960s 1970s jet age port removed list destinations march airline fatal accident july crashed route killing pilot sold allied stores israel july august order boeing boeing aircraft placed general manager brought idea acquiring jet aircraft long haul operations february suggesting boeing boeing taken account hot high condition operations inappropriate considered obsolete east west link african airline started november route launched equipment second fatal accident took place september crashed shortly takeoff flight attendant passengers lost lives accident event urged civil aviation department investigate accidents found lack infrastructure airfields marginal operations major contribution landing sites gore included list airfields require closure january crew passengers lost lives accident involving registration aircraft type time crash taking place aircraft taking event prompted government decide closure airfields march acquired registered year registration change simply jack general manager april decided build new airport replace airfield unable accommodate boeing company intended acquire birth international airport company set headquarters december arrival boeing ordered directly boeing marked carrier entrance jet age aircraft registered named blue white respectively jet service took place january aircraft deployed route following day new service madrid flown new jet equipment frankfurt joining jet network soon april boeing replaced athens route month west african corridor benefited jet operations airline entered pool agreement service new flight launched served march removed list destinations day november airline lost test flight crew suffered minor injuries rome served time june weekly basis flight routed athens pool agreement early 1960s carrier provided initial aviation support united_states mapping mission operation acquire maps firm changed corporation share company changed air lines contractual relationship adjusted reflect transfer management appointment deputy general manager boeing operation boeing phased march carrier ordered second fifth renewal original contract changed role manager adviser 25th anniversary company ready continue foreign assistance managed staffed personnel general manager col appointed boeing acquired continental carrier ordered dash ended year relationship airline new customer boeing ordering arrived late 1970s replacement oldest boeing 1980s 1990s buffalo entered fleet early 1980s african carrier ordering boeing airline order boeing aircraft set new distance record flying miles non stop washington delivery company boeing came replace remaining boeing twin incorporated fleet mid-1980s twin entering fleet early boeing joined fleet late passenger airline taking delivery boeing freighter receiving boeing year later airline flying beijing routes ivory coast operated furthermore entered fleet operate domestic routes actually company taking delivery aircraft collapse financial problems late 1990s carrier saw incorporation copenhagen international network new_york_city washington destinations frequent programme named miles legendary queen launched airline disrupted flights capital war erupted countries onwards fleet renewal started early 2000s incorporation boeing boeing airline discontinued service newark favour serving washington late 2000s airline announced launch customer boeing placed orders acquire brand new boeing equipment late september officially invited join star alliance carrier member alliance december africa based carrier following south african 28th member worldwide corporate affairs management ownership july ceo replaced wake airline wholly owned government traditionally government intervention times significant turmoil domestic african state owned remain poorly run serving purposes business decisions political grounds remained professionally run managed leading christian science monitor term capitalist success expanding airline workforce resulted decline service quality revenues allowed airline run strictly commercial basis captain appointed ceo workforce airline continued acquisition western soviet aircraft despite links communist government soviet_union purchasing boeing boeing despite famine unfavorable exchange rates general economic disarray airline managed retain reputation particularly provision maintenance training financial times noted managed remain profitable africa decade despite violent overthrow communist government people revolutionary democratic airline managed post profit fiscal year market oriented policies new government meant airline remain operationally independent captain airline remained sound despite caused war head office currently head office international airport intends build new head office facility contest design held plans proceeded february held second round september announced bet architect won contest airline stated estimated million complex constructed plot international airport company received 4th place competition second round threatened legal action accusing airline giving consideration proposed design business trends performance figures government owned available annual accounts occasional press reports available trends year ending june strategic ambitions landmarks airline featured economist example excellence late economist paul recognised reliable profitable world july named africa profitable airline year air transport world praised sustained recent years long term company policy addition carrier main activities revenues generated providing aircraft maintenance foreign specialist training foreign year pilots technicians graduate pilot school inaugurated aviation maintenance technician school established american federal aviation administration airline maintenance division license started vision aimed increase passenger traffic million revenue billion employees year exceeded goals set vision company net profit fiscal year ended million results attributed aggressive marketing campaign major cost cutting measures adopted vision year development strategy airline increasing fleet number destinations carrying million passengers tonnes long tons short tons cargo employees vision considers expansion capacity building airline aviation academy signed july deal acquisition carrier air new airline named remaining held government private investors started operations january operation year ranked profitable airline africa 18th profitable airline world profit million destinations september passenger network comprises international destinations domestic ones including cities africa excluding europe americas middle_east asia cargo network serves destinations including africa seven middle_east asia europe serves destinations africa airline april carrier routes beijing late april airline said planned start serving latin american market firm dates disclosed august year frankfurt london mumbai rome served basis boeing delivery second aircraft type assigned fixed scheduled routes february unofficial reports disclosed carrier plans launch new services city manila seoul starting june year company intention start flying nautical mile run july june unofficial sources reported launch flights city manila cancelled replaced flight singapore starting september announced flights rio_de_janeiro commenced july year flights singapore launched december new link shanghai launched march new services vienna started june december year tokyo added april new destinations los_angeles carrier fifth point served americas dublin new service manila launched july newark run set commence july alliances agreements alliances october frequent programme miles entered partnership allowing members programme earn spend miles networks july carrier entered strategic partnership based start airline holds stake responsible aircraft maintenance operational management plan turn airline regional hub west african market started operations january profitable months officially joined star alliance december agreements june agreements following fleet recent developments february signed preliminary agreement buy boeing aircraft firm orders plus options african carrier order kind equipment boeing announced exercised purchase rights confirmed firm order aircraft carrier african airline order boeing aircraft took possession november model type delivered boeing furthermore delivery african airline operate type company ordered million november took options additional aircraft type air placed order initially scheduled delivery date order largest placed airline evidenced company dissatisfaction boeing delays delivery initially scheduled enter fleet june january announced firm order boeing generation aircraft deal worth million entered fleet march august bank signed agreement worth billion loan finance acquisition scheduled delivery mid august boeing carrier fleet october company announced order boeing deal worth billion positioned african carrier ordering type aircraft join ones type airline lease received aircraft mid september ordered february million list prices july additional boeing ordered deal worth million august delivered company airline outside japan operating type scheduled flights japan october delivered november year airline confirmed additional leased entering service april air lease corporation announced lease boeing deliveries june early july year informed bank approved million boeing order aircraft manufacturer support development equipped long haul aircraft airline took delivery boeing november month air holding signed letter intent leased order february september carrier announced firm order boeing max plus commitments aircraft type january largest african carrier terms fleet size airline planned buy boeing new planes worth billion list prices airline initially planned buying planes switched boeing aircraft suitable operations high altitude hub airline africa acquire boeing flight airline received late june current fleet june fleet consists following aircraft aside equipment shown airline uses number training purposes largest dedicated cargo fleet africa december historic fleet following list equipment previously operated helicopters light aircraft available government agencies natural resources projects services cloud economy class classes available flights exception operated dash equipment aircraft economy layout food drinks flights passengers provided food complimentary board classes food service consists hot meals hot cold light depending length flight time day choice acquiring drinks extra cost available airline offers passengers having special meal requirements flight entertainment cloud business class named cloud passengers travelling class provided onboard amenities wide variety reading material routes operated boeing equipment passengers provided sleeper seats demand audio video services channels inch screens economy class variety meals ranging light hot dishes amenities provided passengers flying class depending length flight seats demand audio video channels screens available boeing services passengers offered international airport cloud passengers wait departure flights cloud lounge provided wide variety amenities personal computers wireless connection likewise gold silver status use miles lounge facilities customer service agents available order assist passengers flights accidents incidents according aviation safety network records accident incident events plus air lines airline january number people lost lives occurrences related carrier aircraft totals company suffered episodes history ending carrier deadliest accident plane indian_ocean fuel starvation second deadly accident took place aircraft crashed mediterranean_sea shortly departed international airport killing people board crash boeing took place led fatalities ranks worst deadly accident experienced company despite good safety record contrast african


flight flight commonly known accident norwegian controlled flight terrain mountain norway operated canada dash crashed approach airport thirty people board killed crash remains deadliest accident dash northern norway direct cause accident aircraft descended meters meters nautical miles instead nautical miles airport investigation found shortcomings airline operating procedures particular lack proper cockpit communication mutual control descent approach plans caused airline follow sterile cockpit rule passenger sitting cockpit jump seat flight investigating commission found lack proper pilot training airline flight second accidents revealed shortcomings airline operations internal control flight accident aircraft engine canada dash series serial number built bought registered november certificate renewed november valid november aircraft operated hours cycles prior flight check took place april aircraft flown hours cycles year old captain held certificate issued april renewed december took initial license worked pilot april time renewal flown hours hours dash completed periodical flight training dash march come home week vacation spain officer years old held certificate limited officer dash certificate issued january valid dash february started flight training completed united_states hired pilot february originally served canada twin checked officer dash february total flight time hours dash flight attendant years old worked aircraft morning multi leg flight airport trondheim airport flown trondheim changed crew arrived trondheim flight left hotel trondheim flight scheduled fly trondheim airport airport airport departed half hours scheduled technical problems different aircraft flight crew captain officer flight attendant aircraft packed jump seat cockpit passenger bringing number people board aircraft stop sixteen passengers disembarked reduced number passengers board thirty passenger occupying jump seat continued sit leg captain flying pilot segment aircraft departed contacted trondheim air traffic control center receive permission ascend flight level received flight passenger jump seat held conversation captain asked questions operations officer participate discussions conducted radio contact air traffic control airline operations center officer contacted airline informed expected arrive aircraft asked permission trondheim switch flight information service granted aircraft announced start descent switch contact time aircraft announced nautical miles airport informed known aircraft area runway use wind knots mph southeast nautical miles visibility light shower officer held second conversation airline ordering taxi passengers reach connecting ferry captain asked descent seat belt sign switched flight attendant started process preparing cabin landing captain informed officer meters meters followed partially conversation captain officers included fill fuel conversation captain jump seat passenger direction radio range distance measuring equipment checked approach started time aircraft altitude reached meters point captain asked flaps landing gear immediately deployed officer resulted aircraft gaining meters altitude landing gears confirmed locked seconds later passenger asked captain reserve systems landing gear deploy properly point aircraft started descent meters asked aircraft position officer responded nautical miles away asked wind check responded degrees knots mph officers confirmed information aircraft reached meters altitude remained height rest flight short conversation initiated passenger seconds later captain asked degrees flaps props fully fine confirmed officer seconds later pre landing completed seconds remainder flight engines showed increasing immediately crash aircraft shifted angle degrees degrees ground proximity warning system showed minimum aircraft crashed western meters elevation aircraft flew mountain angle degrees starboard mountain aircraft ascending seven degree angle plus minus degree tip starboard wing hit mountain followed engine number right engine immediately torn aircraft started rotate aircraft started torn rib starboard wing nose port wing engine number inner hit depression mountain face causing engine number port wing break engines time aircraft body broken aircraft forward movement stopped wreck pieces rotated vertical away mountain port wing caught fire exploded rest aircraft fell slope way starboard wing caught fire cause commission found direct cause crash approach started nautical miles early aircraft came height terrain specific reason early approach found non compliance crew members regulations procedures specifically commission pointed lack internal control identified operation shortcomings lack proper cockpit procedures especially technical faults aircraft pilots control aircraft time collision making controlled flight terrain interviews random pilots showed airline shortcomings training procedures lacked dash culture airline divert cockpit procedures cooperation flight plans procedures mutual control procedures impractical commonly commission impression transition twin airline operate demanding dash properly carried resulted shortcomings training operating procedures flight followed correctly pilots elect method double control descent approach pilots non regulations descent included captain briefing despite marking map located close mountain aircraft supposed meters instead took place meters descent started nautical miles instead nautical miles airport aircraft came permitted altitude aircraft instrument flight rules covered fog visibility permitted range commission found errors maps influenced accident included gave impression use closed marker beacon maps vertical flight plan included height limitations accident area noted comments graphical presentation confusion timing final approach start commission criticized airline instructing pilots channels company frequency descent time non safety related communication unwanted aircraft fully booked passenger allowed sit jump seat cockpit passenger connection airline granted permission captain acquaintance airline passengers employees according airline rules instead seated available seats cabin jump seat passenger continued sit cockpit commission felt passenger conversation captain drew attention concentration away duties critical point flight disrupted communication pilots resulting mutual control disrupted salvage investigation aircraft crashed located nautical miles south west airport mountain meters tall distinct height area flat aircraft hit western mountain point terrain degrees steep center line flight path meters wreck spread area meters point impact attempts aircraft received resident close said heard aircraft noise followed crash fire department ambulance helicopter doctor dispatched rescue work difficult low clouds small fires explosions terrain difficult lack daylight assisting situation difficult helicopter medical personnel airport direct arrived meeting place established airport police stated hope finding survivors scene changed search investigation scene fog possible verify people killed day seventy people home guard participated salvage accident investigation board norway informed accident members investigation commission appointed consisting leader lieutenant general pilot lieutenant colonel chief police poor weather conditions commission assembled day national criminal investigation service arrived assist people appointed canadian aviation safety board including representatives canada whitney canada sent aid investigation representatives available consultation commission investigation commission later supplemented psychologist replaced system tested civil aviation administration found working correctly established base operations hangar airport helicopter freight pieces wreck bodies trondheim university hospital identification technical investigations started aircraft equipped flight data recorder cockpit voice recorder found intact air accidents investigation branch united_kingdom improper use microphone difficult hear captain voice possible reconstruct conversations line events memorial service held attended prime minister harlem home guard personnel concluded work police concluded investigations investigation board aware passengers mobile telephone flights mentioned original report conducted review issue especially influenced vertical navigation concluded december case indications instances electromagnetic interference contributing cause aviation accident aftermath flight second fatal write accident dash remains deadliest time deadliest aviation accident norwegian history accident safe flight relegated fourth deadliest flight remains deadliest accident northern norway commission recommended update maps review improve landing procedures improve internal control procedures ensure pilots follow airline flight operation regulations introduce sterile cockpit rule commission recommended civil aviation administration change flight paths increase altitude flight second fatal accidents occurred accident flight poor cockpit culture discovered little followed conspiracy theory surfaced collision fighter jet following major accidents flight flight investigation uncovered operational shortcomings press aggressive coverage accident major press organizations attended memorial service newspapers published close pictures crying pages norwegian press complaints commission committee appointed newspapers acquitted complaint aggressive image use accident coverage started internal debate journalists coverage major accidents conclusion private sorrow covered media media strict self enforcement policy airport installed satellite based landing system october stated opening ceremony system prevented flight flight airport roll taking place regional airports scheduled completion


british british shortened flag carrier largest airline united_kingdom based fleet size measured passengers carried second largest united_kingdom airline based near main hub london airport british board established united_kingdom government manage airline corporations british overseas corporation british european smaller regional cardiff northeast newcastle march companies merged form british years state company british february wider plan conservative government carrier soon expanded acquisition british followed dan air british midland international british founding member airline alliance american pacific defunct canadian alliance grown largest star alliance british merged january formally creating international group world largest airline group terms annual revenue second largest europe listed london stock exchange index long time boeing customer british ordered family aircraft august purchased boeing marking start long haul fleet replacement airline long haul fleet boeing fleet british largest operator boeing world registered airline history january british board established united_kingdom government following passing civil aviation act manage british overseas corporation british european september management service functions combined newly formed british group british established airline march dissolution following years fierce competition british second largest airline united_kingdom time government changed aviation policy carriers longer compete long haul routes british air france operated world passenger service flew january london services began flight washington airport flights new_york airport followed september service singapore established operation singapore continuation flight following air france crash paris slump air travel following september attacks new_york decided cease operations years service final commercial flight new_york london october airline instructed prepare conservative government sir john king later lord king appointed chairman charged bringing airline large struggled king credited transforming british profitable air carriers world flag carrier floated london stock exchange february british effected takeover second airline british july year formation richard virgin atlantic created competitor intense rivalry british virgin atlantic culminated sued libel arising claims counter claims dirty tricks campaign virgin campaign included allegations virgin atlantic customers private files belonging virgin virgin reputation city result case management apologised company agreed pay damages virgin personally million legal costs lord king stepped chairman replaced deputy marshall bob took ceo virgin filed separate action year domination trans atlantic routes thrown british expanded acquisition financially troubled dan air giving larger presence airport british asia subsidiary based taiwan formed march operate london month purchased stake australian airline acquisition formed british later connect september british american pacific canadian formed airline alliance began operations february largest airline alliance world star alliance bob leadership led cost savings establishment budget airline year british reported drop profits quarter worst seven years march removed position british announced rod successor year british conducted talks potential merger reaching decision july file official merger plan european commission plan fell september british asia ceased operations suspended flights sold management private equity firm june workforce cuts reduced demand following september attacks sold stake september managing director pilot chief executive officer british unveiled new subsidiary january taking advantage traffic rights europe united_states flies non stop paris new_york newark airports july british announced merger plan flag carrier airline alliance airline retain original brand agreement confirmed april july european commission department transport permitted merger began routes american october alliance british american formally began operations alliance generates estimated million annual cost saving addition million saved merger merger finalised january resulting international group world largest airline terms annual revenue second largest airline group europe prior merging british owned stake received ownership combined international group shareholders received remaining merger british ceased trading independently london stock exchange years constituent index september ceo announced group considering acquiring drawn possible acquisitions november announced agreement principle purchase british midland international contract purchase airline agreed month sale completed million march airline established new subsidiary based london city airport operating british official airline partner london olympic games flew olympic flame athens international airport carrying dignitaries including lord princess anne olympics minister hugh london mayor johnson david corporate affairs operations british largest airline based united_kingdom terms fleet size international flights international destinations largest airline passenger numbers airline carried million passengers rival carrier transported million passengers year passing british time british holds united_kingdom civil aviation authority type operating licence permitted carry passengers cargo mail aircraft seats head office stands village near london airport completed june replace british previous head office house located grounds british main base london airport major presence airport base london city airport subsidiary largest operator previously operated significant hub manchester airport manchester new_york services withdrawn later international services outside london ceased subsidiary connect sold passengers wishing travel internationally regional destinations transfer london airport dominated british owns slots available airport majority services operate terminal exception short haul mid haul flights terminal arising purchase bmi short haul flights terminal owing lack capacity terminal imminent opening brand new terminal star alliance progressively moving services new terminal terminal closed demolition course british services concentrated august advised airline continue use flight paths iraq despite hostilities days earlier announced avoid iraqi likewise issue arose following downing malaysia flight ukraine temporary suspension flights ben airport israel conflict wholly owned subsidiary offers flights base london city airport destinations europe flies aircraft leased airline focuses serving financial market recently expanded leisure market offering routes venice onboard product identical short haul product march purchased stake international group parent british billion billion helicopters renamed british helicopters operated passenger offshore oil support services sold include german airline french airline air british owned association operator british flying club based air park high sold south_africa denmark sun air scandinavia british british obtained stake regional airline sale connect march sold stake owned stake regional rail company managed operations ltd management creation open skies agreement europe united_states march british started new subsidiary airline called previously known project airline started operations june flies direct paris new_york newark airports british limited established operation premium service london city airport new_york began service september fitted lie flat beds business class cabin flights operate numbers previously reserved british provides cargo services british world cargo brand division cargo world twelfth largest cargo airline based total freight kilometres flown world cargo operates main fleet end march operated boeing freighter aircraft providing dedicated long haul services wet lease arrangement global supply systems division operates automated cargo centre london airport handles freight airports business trends key trends british group shown merger accounting reference date changed march december figures years march months december years december industrial relations staff working british represented number trade unions pilots represented british air line pilots association cabin crew british association branch unite union branches unite union union represent employees bob management faced strike action cabin crew billion cost cutting drive return time cabin crew strike staff morale reportedly unstable incident effort increase interaction management employees unions conferences workshops taken place thousands attendance action taken union members decision gate renew contracts workers replace agency staff estimated strike cost british million caused disruption passengers october involved civil rights dispute christian employee forbidden wear necklace bearing cross religious symbol practice forbidding symbols publicly questioned british politicians home secretary john foreign secretary jack straw relations turbulent unite cabin crew threatened strike action salary changes imposed management strike called minute british losing million december ballot strike action christmas received high level support action blocked court injunction deemed ballot illegal negotiations failed stop strike action march withdrew strike participants allegations guardian newspaper consulted outside firms methods undermine unions story later withdrawn strike announced british sought injunction members socialist workers party disrupted negotiations management unite prevent industrial action disruption struck simpson unite leader discovered leaked details confidential negotiations online twitter destinations british serves destinations including domestic fly permanently inhabited continents air china delta air lines korean air singapore south african united air canada partnerships agreements british agreements partnerships following alliance british member founders global alliance fleet exception boeing early boeing variants british inherited mainly built fleet aircraft formed airline introduced boeing boeing fleet 1980s followed boeing boeing boeing 1990s largest operator boeing fleet prior introduction boeing built aircraft british allocated customer code appeared aircraft designation british placed order aircraft ordering fleet expansion cost million fitted general_electric engines switched rolls trent subsequent aircraft boeing fastest new_york london flight hours minutes january strong winds later announced order thirty new long haul aircraft including boeing rolls trent engines selected orders trent trent boeing replace british boeing fleet replace boeing likely increase capacity key routes london august announced orders boeing options interim measure cover delays deliveries ordered leased fully acquired british april confirmed signed memorandum understanding order aircraft british option aircraft replace airline fleet boeing options boeing aircraft original contract signed converted firm orders delivery june british took delivery aircraft began operations toronto september began service newark october delivered july began regular services los_angeles september followed hong_kong october combined international group entity operates aircraft carries million passengers annually serves destinations current fleet july british fleet following registered aircraft including non operational aircraft fleet gallery photo view label detail cargo fleet cargo division cargo handles cargo operations capacity british passenger aircraft reached agreement operate flights cargo boeing cargo british world cargo airline freight division prior merger cargo form cargo aircraft types division vickers boeing boeing boeing operated 1990s air early global supply systems air aircraft wore flew global supply colours termination global supply system contract boeing aircraft flown british world cargo fleet british engineering company engineering branch maintain aircraft fleet includes line maintenance airports world hangar facilities airport major maintenance centres glasgow cardiff airports marketing branding musical theme predominantly british advertising flower duet slogan world favourite airline introduced launch iconic face advertisement slogan dropped overtook terms passenger numbers flower duet airline different arrangements recent version melody shown new slogan upgrade british advertising included world best airline care fly flag account years agency created famous advertisements including influential face campaign later imitated rival discontinued business activities advertising agency british purchased internet domain previous owner bell atlantic company acronym airline code launched biggest advertising campaign decade including second cinematic celebrating airline ninety year heritage new slogan fly serve british official airline championship tennis tournament official airline tier partner summer olympics paralympics british official airline england bid host football world cup high life founded official flight magazine tail fins formation british carried union jack scheme painted tail fins original tail scheme changed new designed associates controversial change use british branding incorporated elements union jack new intended mainly reflect diversity places served airline called world images involved range different designs appearing bodies planes use corporate colours consistently exception fleet new design based union flag known ethnic images included chinese related countries company network routes reported caused problems air traffic control previously controllers able tell pilots follow plane harder visually identify people spoke change including prime minister margaret famously covered tail model event displeasure traditional rival virgin atlantic took advantage negative press coverage applying union flag aircraft slogan britain national ceo british bob announced planes adopt design originally intended based union flag loyalty programmes british loyalty programme called executive club includes access special dedicated fast invites corporate accounts join premier incentive programme british operates passengers travelling premium available certain tiers executive club members class passengers gold executive club members entitled use class business class passengers called club world club europe terms silver executive club members use business airports operate departure lounge party lounge provided premium status passengers merger british announced changes executive club integration included combination air miles miles plus points operated loyalty programme magazines high life magazine british complimentary magazine magazine available customers aircraft types high life shop magazine british shopping magazine magazine available customers aircraft shopping range carried life complimentary magazine offered customers travelling cabin magazine articles including fashion trends technology target audience business life complimentary magazine targeted business traveller frequent british magazine found short haul aircraft seat pockets magazine selection club world customers british operated services short haul economy class domestic british economy class domestic flights flights operated series aircraft small number peak services glasgow edinburgh operated boeing economy layout flights operated series aircraft class configuration flights departing complimentary hot breakfast item served orange juice tea coffee flights departing complimentary bar service offered light item euro traveller british economy class offering flights rest europe based flights operated series aircraft boeing aircraft based flights operated series aircraft standard seat pitch varies depending aircraft type location seat complimentary drinks offered vary depending flight length time day longer services hours usually hot meal service business class club europe short haul business class short haul flights excluding class allows access business airports club europe provides seats configuration aircraft middle seat instead table middle seat refurbished aircraft blankets available longer flights flight entertainment offered selected longer flights operated boeing aircraft provided customers services available mid haul british launched new mid haul product routes operated bmi aircraft designated serve routes cairo business club world business class aircraft slightly different product operated rest long haul fleet alternating configuration seats section aircraft club world bar main meal service offered larger individual screens fitted seat economy world traveller service offered flights complimentary drinks food individual screens seats aircraft fitted collins flight entertainment system long haul class class offered boeing boeing boeing boeing launch fourteen private aircraft bed inch wide entertainment screen seat power dedicated british galleries available airports exclusive room terminal new_york airports extend offering service pre flight dining intimate space business available business class club world long haul business class offered long haul boeing boeing boeing boeing aircraft cabin features fully flat beds british launched generation new club world featuring larger seats club world similar design aircraft aisle seats facing forwards middle seats window seats face backwards british carriers backwards facing business class seats american united premium economy world traveller plus premium economy offering provided long haul aircraft cabin offers wider seats extended leg room additional seat larger screen aircraft foot rest power complimentary world traveller bar offered upgraded main meal course economy world traveller long haul economy class offered international flights destinations outside europe offers seat entertainment complimentary drinks meals offered long haul boeing boeing refurbished aircraft power outlets plug points offered seat row outlets accept outlets world traveller located seat incidents accidents november british flight shortly london vickers landed tripoli flying captain jim returned aircraft fly knowing board eventually surrendered hours hostage murdered awarded queen gallantry medal guild air pilots air founders medal british air line pilots association gold medal certificate british actions september british flight departed london istanbul collided mid air near passengers crew members aircraft died fatal accident british aircraft company formation june british flight boeing registration flew cloud volcanic ash dust eruption mount ash dust caused extensive damage aircraft including failure engines crew managed plane dust cloud restart engines later shut volcanic ash caused cockpit window extent difficult pilots plane aircraft successful emergency landing international airport outside fatalities injuries june british flight flight birmingham suffered fitting incorrect bolts previous day captain tim lancaster suffered major injuries partially blown aircraft pilot landed plane safely southampton airport despite physical trauma suffered lancaster fully recovered months later returned duty pilot returned flying trauma sustained august british flight landed kuwait international airport hours iraqi invasion kuwait aircraft boeing destroyed passengers crew captured landing gears salvaged display headquarters london december british flight route london mentally ill passenger entered cockpit grabbed controls pilots struggled remove boeing stalled twice banked degrees people board injured violent manoeuvres briefly caused aircraft descend minute man finally restrained help passengers pilot regained control aircraft flight landed safely january british flight boeing beijing london crash landed approximately feet short london airport runway slid runway displaced threshold aircraft sustained damage landing gear wing roots engines resulting hull loss boeing fatalities injury minor injuries accident caused fuel system resulting loss power december british flight boeing hit building international airport missing turning starboard wing severely damaged injuries crew passengers members ground staff injured wing smashed building aircraft officially withdrawn service february september british flight boeing aborted takeoff las_vegas international airport engine failure left general_electric engine led substantial fire aircraft evacuated main runway passengers crew escaped aircraft people sustaining minor injuries