Editing British Airways (section)

==History==
{{Main|History of British Airways}}
[[File:British Airways Boeing 747-100 in BOAC basic livery Marmet.jpg|thumb|A [[Boeing 747-100]] in BOAC-British Airways transition livery (1976)]]

Proposals to establish a joint British airline, combining the assets of the [[British Overseas Airways Corporation]] (BOAC) and [[British European Airways]] (BEA), were first raised in 1953 as a result of difficulties in attempts by BOAC and BEA to negotiate air rights through the British colony of [[Cyprus]]. Increasingly BOAC was protesting that BEA was using its subsidiary [[Cyprus Airways (1947–2015)|Cyprus Airways]] to circumvent an agreement that BEA would not fly routes further east than Cyprus, particularly to the increasingly important oil regions in the [[Middle East]]. The chairman of BOAC, Miles Thomas, was in favour of a merger as a potential solution to this disagreement and had backing for the idea from the [[Chancellor of the Exchequer]] at the time, [[Rab Butler]]. However, opposition from the Treasury blocked the proposal.<ref>Robin Higham, ''Speedbird: The Complete History of BOAC'' (London: IB Tauris, 2013) p.117</ref>

Consequently, it was only following the recommendations of the 1969 Edwards Report that a new British Airways Board, managing both BEA and BOAC, and the two regional British airlines [[Cambrian Airways]] based at Cardiff, and [[Northeast Airlines (UK)|Northeast Airlines]] based at Newcastle upon Tyne, was constituted on 1 April 1972.<ref>''Airliner World (Cambrian Airways – The Welsh Dragon: New routes and turboprops)'', Key Publishing, Stamford, UK, September 2012, p. 71</ref> Although each airline's branding was maintained initially, two years later the British Airways Board unified its branding, effectively establishing British Airways as an airline on 31 March 1974.<ref name = EOP7>{{cite web|url=http://www.britishairways.com/travel/history-1970-1979/public/en_gb|website=British Airways|publisher=International Airlines Group|location=London|title=Explore our past: 1970–1979|access-date=6 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618043935/http://www.britishairways.com/travel/history-1970-1979/public/en_gb|archive-date=18 June 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

Following two years of fierce competition with [[British Caledonian]], the second-largest airline in the United Kingdom at the time, the Government changed its aviation policy in 1976 so that the two carriers would no longer compete on long-haul routes.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1975/1975%20-%201427.html |title = UK abandons long-haul competition |work = Flight International |date = 7 August 1975 |page = 173 |access-date = 30 June 2010 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120315044020/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1975/1975%20-%201427.html |archive-date = 15 March 2012 |url-status = live |df = dmy-all }}</ref>

British Airways and [[Air France]] operated the [[supersonic]] [[Concorde]] airliner, and the world's first [[supersonic]] passenger service flew on 21 January 1976 from [[Heathrow Airport|London Heathrow Airport]] to [[Bahrain International Airport]].<ref name = 'Concordeintro3'>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=inkRAAAAIBAJ&pg=5479,5052446|title=Concorde starts regular service|work=Eugene Register-Guard|date=26 January 1976|access-date=27 June 2010}}{{Dead link|date=December 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Services to the U.S. began on 24 May 1976 with a flight to [[Washington Dulles]] airport, and flights to [[New York JFK]] airport followed on 22 September 1977. Service to Singapore was established in co-operation with [[Singapore Airlines]] as a continuation of the flight to Bahrain.<ref name = EOP7/> Following [[Air France Flight 4590|the crash of Air France Flight 4590]] and the [[11 September attacks]], British Airways decided to cease Concorde operations in 2003 after 27 years of service. The final commercial Concorde flight was BA002 from New York-JFK to London-Heathrow on 24 October 2003.<ref name = EOP2000>{{cite web|url=http://www.britishairways.com/travel/history-2000-present/public/en_gb|title=Explore Our Past:2000 – present|website=British Airways|location=London|publisher=International Airlines Group|access-date=20 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100424172652/http://www.britishairways.com/travel/history-2000-present/public/en_gb|archive-date=24 April 2010|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:British Airways Trident Three G-AWZA.jpg|thumb|left|A British Airways [[Hawker Siddeley Trident]] in its transitional scheme with BEA livery but with British Airways titles]]

In 1981 the airline was instructed to prepare for privatisation by the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] [[Second Thatcher ministry|Thatcher]] government.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Cozmuta|first=Adrian|date=2021|title=Selling 'The World's Favourite Airline': British Airways' privatisation and the motives behind it|journal=Business History|volume=66 |publisher=[[University of Glasgow]]|location=[[Glasgow]]|pages=181–200|doi=10.1080/00076791.2021.1926991|s2cid=236421691|issn=0007-6791|url=https://eprints.gla.ac.uk/240788/1/240788.pdf|access-date=16 June 2023|archive-date=25 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230625204720/https://eprints.gla.ac.uk/240788/1/240788.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> [[John King, Baron King of Wartnaby|Sir John King]], later Lord King, was appointed chairman, charged with bringing the airline back into profitability. While many other large airlines struggled, King was credited with transforming British Airways into one of the most profitable air carriers in the world.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4896070.html |title=A-Z of Employers |journal=The Independent |date=12 February 1998 |first=Rachelle |last=Thackray |access-date=27 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102054517/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4896070.html |archive-date=2 November 2012 }}</ref> The flag carrier was privatised and was floated on the [[London Stock Exchange]] in February 1987.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/danair-swallowed-up-by-ba-rivals-say-competition-and-choice-will-be-cut-by-takeover-that-will-axe-1900-jobs-1559258.html|title=After much fanfare, the sale of British Airways set to begin|work=The Independent|last=Marshall|first=Tyler|date=24 October 1992|location=London|access-date=25 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925082235/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/danair-swallowed-up-by-ba-rivals-say-competition-and-choice-will-be-cut-by-takeover-that-will-axe-1900-jobs-1559258.html|archive-date=25 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> British Airways effected the takeover of the UK's "second" airline, British Caledonian, in July of that same year.<ref name = BAP>{{cite news|url=http://www.britishairways.com/travel/history-1980-1989/public/en_gb|work=British Airways|title=Explore our past: 1980–1989|access-date=8 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100419123453/http://www.britishairways.com/travel/history-1980-1989/public/en_gb|archive-date=19 April 2010|url-status=live}}</ref>

The formation of [[Richard Branson]]'s [[Virgin Atlantic]] in 1984 created a competitor for BA. The intense rivalry between British Airways and Virgin Atlantic culminated in the former being sued for libel in 1993, arising from claims and counterclaims over a [[Dirty Tricks (British Airways scandal)|"dirty tricks" campaign]] against Virgin. This campaign included allegations of poaching Virgin Atlantic customers, tampering with private files belonging to Virgin, and undermining Virgin's financial reputation  in the city. As a result of the case BA management apologised "unreservedly", and the company agreed to pay £110,000 in damages to Virgin, £500,000 to Branson personally and £3&nbsp;million legal costs.<ref name="dirtytricks">{{cite news|title=BA dirty tricks against Virgin cost £3m|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/january/11/newsid_2520000/2520189.stm|publisher=BBC: On This Day|date=11 January 1993|access-date=23 October 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080307120257/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/january/11/newsid_2520000/2520189.stm|archive-date=7 March 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> Lord King stepped down as chairman in 1993 and was replaced by his deputy, Colin Marshall, while [[Bob Ayling]] took over as CEO.<ref name = EOP9/> Virgin filed a separate action in the U.S. that same year regarding BA's domination of the trans-Atlantic routes, but it was thrown out in 1999.<ref name="dirtytricks" />

[[File:British Airways Concorde official handover ceremony Fitzgerald.jpg|thumb|right|British Airways' first [[Concorde]] at Heathrow Airport, on 15 January 1976]]

In 1992 British Airways expanded through the acquisition of the financially troubled [[Dan-Air]], giving BA a much larger presence at [[Gatwick Airport]]. [[British Asia Airways]], a subsidiary based in Taiwan, was formed in March 1993 to operate between London and [[Taipei]]. That same month BA purchased a 25% stake in the Australian airline [[Qantas]] and, with the acquisition of [[Brymon Airways]] in May, formed British Airways Citiexpress (later [[BA Connect]]).<ref name = EOP9>{{cite news|url=http://www.britishairways.com/travel/history-1990-1999/public/en_gb|work=British Airways|title=Explore our past: 1990–1999|access-date=8 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100417001437/http://www.britishairways.com/travel/history-1990-1999/public/en_gb|archive-date=17 April 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 1998, British Airways, along with [[American Airlines]], [[Cathay Pacific]], Qantas, and [[Canadian Airlines]], formed the [[Oneworld]] [[airline alliance]]. Oneworld began operations on 1 February 1999, and is the third-largest airline alliance in the world, behind [[SkyTeam]] and Star Alliance.<ref name = BAP/>

[[File:British Airways Lockheed L-1011-385-1 TriStar 1 Gilliand.jpg|thumb|left|A British Airways [[Lockheed TriStar]] in Landor livery]]

Bob Ayling's leadership led to a cost savings of £750M and the establishment of a budget airline, [[Go Fly|Go]], in 1998.<ref name=aylingquits>{{cite news |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/11/business/international-business-british-airways-ousts-chief-after-four-tumultuous-years.html |title= British Airways Ousts Chief After Four Tumultuous Years |work=The New York Times |access-date=13 June 2009 |date=11 March 2000 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120405094327/http://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/11/business/international-business-british-airways-ousts-chief-after-four-tumultuous-years.html |archive-date=5 April 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> The next year, however, British Airways reported an 84% drop in profits in its first quarter alone, its worst in seven years.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/29/business/market-insight-seeing-fool-s-gold-in-airlines-cheap-seats.html |title=Market Insight: Seeing Fool's Gold in Airlines' Cheap Seats |work=The New York Times |date=29 August 1999 |last=Sorkin |first=Andrew |access-date=27 June 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120405100018/http://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/29/business/market-insight-seeing-fool-s-gold-in-airlines-cheap-seats.html |archive-date=5 April 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2000, Ayling was removed from his position and British Airways announced [[Rod Eddington]] as his successor. That year, British Airways and [[KLM]] conducted talks on a potential merger, reaching a decision in July to file an official merger plan with the European Commission.<ref>{{cite news |title=Airlines aim for merger |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/832102.stm |work=BBC News |date=13 July 2000 |access-date=16 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030216154913/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/832102.stm |archive-date=16 February 2003 |url-status=live }}</ref> The plan fell through in September 2000.<ref>{{cite news |title=Airlines end merger plans |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/936202.stm |work=BBC News |date=21 September 2000 |access-date=16 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207032147/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/936202.stm |archive-date=7 December 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> British Asia Airways ceased operations in 2001 after BA suspended flights to Taipei. Go was sold to its management and the private equity firm [[3i]] in June 2001.<ref>{{cite news |title=BA sells Go for £100m |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1388980.stm |work=BBC News |date=14 June 2001 |access-date=16 July 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070712134309/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1388980.stm |archive-date=12 July 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref> Eddington would make further workforce cuts due to reduced demand following 11 September attacks in 2001,<ref name = EOP2000/> and BA sold its stake in Qantas in September 2004.<ref>{{cite news |title=BA to sell off 18% Qantas stake |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3636766.stm |work=BBC News |date=8 September 2004 |access-date=10 July 2013 |archive-date=7 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107080954/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/3636766.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2005 [[Willie Walsh (Irish businessman)|Willie Walsh]], managing director of [[Aer Lingus]] and a former pilot, became the chief executive officer of British Airways.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/09/business/worldbusiness/former-chief-of-aer-lingus-to-get-british-airs-top.html |title= Former Chief of Aer Lingus To Get British Air's Top Post |work=The New York Times |last=Lavery |first=Brian |date=9 March 2005 |access-date=27 June 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180728005133/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/09/business/worldbusiness/former-chief-of-aer-lingus-to-get-british-airs-top.html |archive-date=28 July 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> BA unveiled its new subsidiary [[OpenSkies]] in January 2008, taking advantage of the liberalisation of transatlantic traffic rights between Europe and the United States. OpenSkies flies non-stop from Paris to New York's JFK and Newark airports.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.brandrepublic.com/Discipline/Advertising/News/775685/BA-brands-new-airline-OpenSkies/|title=BA brands new airline 'Open Skies' |work=Brand Republic |date=9 January 2008 |first=Jemima |last=Bokaie |access-date=27 June 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081009162031/http://www.brandrepublic.com/Discipline/Advertising/News/775685/BA-brands-new-airline-OpenSkies/ |archive-date=9 October 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In July 2008, British Airways announced a merger plan with [[Iberia (airline)|Iberia]], another flag carrier airline in the Oneworld alliance, wherein each airline would retain its original brand.<ref name="baiberiamerger">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/30/business/worldbusiness/30air.html|title=British Airways in Merger Talks|last=Brothers|first=Caroline|work=The New York Times|date=30 July 2008|access-date=30 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130531150240/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/30/business/worldbusiness/30air.html|archive-date=31 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> The agreement was confirmed in April 2010,<ref name = BAIM>{{cite news |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8608667.stm |work=BBC News |title=British Airways and Iberia sign merger agreement |date=8 April 2010 |access-date=23 October 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111019180607/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8608667.stm |archive-date=19 October 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> and in July the [[European Commission]] and [[United States Department of Transportation|U.S. Department of Transportation]] permitted the merger and began to co-ordinate [[transatlantic flight|transatlantic]] routes with American Airlines.<ref name = ECABAIB>{{cite news |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/epic/bay/7890648/EC-approves-BA-alliance-with-American-Airlines-and-Iberia.html |work=The Telegraph |title=EC approves BA alliance with American Airlines and Iberia |date=15 July 2010 |access-date=15 July 2010 |location= London |first=Emma |last=Rowley |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100716232937/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/epic/bay/7890648/EC-approves-BA-alliance-with-American-Airlines-and-Iberia.html |archive-date=16 July 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name = DAOAIA>
{{cite news |title=British Airways given approval for tie up with American Airlines and Iberia |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/7233020/British-Airways-given-approval-for-tie-up-with-American-Airlines-and-Iberia.html |first=Kamal |last=Ahmed |work=The Telegraph |location= London |date=14 February 2010 |access-date=15 July 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140320103337/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/7233020/British-Airways-given-approval-for-tie-up-with-American-Airlines-and-Iberia.html |archive-date=20 March 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> On 6 October 2010 the alliance between British Airways, American Airlines and Iberia formally began operations. The alliance generates an estimated £230&nbsp;million in annual cost-saving for BA, in addition to the £330&nbsp;million which would be saved by the merger with Iberia.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/airlines-unveil-new-deal-for-transatlantic-flyers-2101207.html |work=The Independent |location= London |title=Airlines unveil 'new deal for transatlantic flyers' |date=8 October 2010|access-date=8 October 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121109091900/http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/airlines-unveil-new-deal-for-transatlantic-flyers-2101207.html |archive-date=9 November 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> This merger was finalised on 21 January 2011, resulting in the establishment of [[International Airlines Group]] S.A. (IAG), the world's third-largest airline in terms of annual revenue and the second-largest airline group in Europe.<ref name=BAIM/><ref>
{{cite news |url= http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/Iberia%20expects%20to%20complete%20merger%20with%20BA%20in%20January/-/1006/1041268/-/x2a6bh/-/index.html |work=Daily Nation |location= Nairobi |title=Iberia expects to complete merger with British Airways in January |access-date=18 November 2010 |date=27 October 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110722133933/http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/Iberia%20expects%20to%20complete%20merger%20with%20BA%20in%20January/-/1006/1041268/-/x2a6bh/-/index.html |archive-date=22 July 2011 |url-status=live}}
</ref> Prior to merging, British Airways owned a 13.5% stake in Iberia, and thus received ownership of 55% of the combined International Airlines Group; Iberia's other shareholders received the remaining 45%.<ref name = TEP>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8356780.stm|title=BA and Iberia agree merger deal|work=BBC News|date=12 November 2009 |access-date=23 October 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101126154100/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8356780.stm |archive-date=26 November 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> As a part of the merger, British Airways ceased trading independently on the London Stock Exchange after 23 years as a constituent of the [[FTSE 100 Index]].<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.theguardian.com/business/2011/jan/20/british-airways-trades-last-time-merger |title=British Airways trades for last time ahead of Iberia merger |newspaper=The Guardian|location= London |agency=PA Media|access-date=21 January 2011 |date=20 January 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140101020541/http://www.theguardian.com/business/2011/jan/20/british-airways-trades-last-time-merger |archive-date=1 January 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

In September 2010 Willie Walsh, now CEO of IAG, announced that the group was considering acquiring other airlines and had drawn up a shortlist of twelve possible acquisitions.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2010/sep/06/british-airways-willie-walsh|title=British Airways most likely to buy LAN Airlines first – Paddy Power|newspaper=The Guardian|date=6 September 2010|access-date=6 September 2010|location=London|first=Graeme|last=Wearden|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113110612/http://www.theguardian.com/business/2010/sep/06/british-airways-willie-walsh|archive-date=13 November 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> In November 2011 IAG announced an agreement in principle to purchase British Midland International from [[Lufthansa]].<ref>{{cite press release|title= Lufthansa and IAG reach agreement in principle on the sale of British Midland Ltd.|url= http://presse.lufthansa.com/en/news-releases/singleview/archive/2011/november/04/article/2025.html|publisher= Deutsche Lufthansa AG|date= 4 November 2011|access-date= 2 December 2011|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111207125438/http://presse.lufthansa.com/en/news-releases/singleview/archive/2011/november/04/article/2025.html|archive-date= 7 December 2011|df= dmy-all}}</ref> A contract to purchase the airline was agreed the next month,<ref>{{cite news |title=British Airways owner IAG seals deal to buy BMI for £172.5m |first1=Alistair |last1=Osborne |first2=Amy |last2=Wilson |name-list-style=amp |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/8972188/British-Airways-owner-IAG-seals-deal-to-buy-BMI-for-172.5m.html |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=22 December 2011 |access-date=1 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111228002739/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/8972188/British-Airways-owner-IAG-seals-deal-to-buy-BMI-for-172.5m.html |archive-date=28 December 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> and the sale was completed for £172.5&nbsp;million on 30 March 2012.<ref>{{cite news |title=Is British Airways giving up enough to buy BMI? |first=Douglas |last=Fraser |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-17569748 |work=BBC News |date=30 March 2012 |access-date=3 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402014706/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-17569748 |archive-date=2 April 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> The airline established [[Club World London City|a new subsidiary]] based at [[London City Airport]] operating [[Airbus A318]]s.<ref>{{cite news |title=BA to operate A318 on new flight |first=David |last=Kaminski-Morrow |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/ba-to-operate-premium-a318s-under-new-subsidiary-372970/ |work=Flightglobal |date=13 June 2012 |access-date=12 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120830115332/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/ba-to-operate-premium-a318s-under-new-subsidiary-372970/ |archive-date=30 August 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:British Airways Iberia aircraft tails BA IB.jpg|thumb|British Airways and Iberia merged in January 2011, forming International Airlines Group, one of the world's largest airlines.]]

British Airways was the official airline partner of the [[London 2012 Olympic Games]]. On 18 May 2012 it flew the Olympic flame from [[Athens International Airport]] to [[RNAS Culdrose]] while carrying various dignitaries, including Lord [[Sebastian Coe]], [[Princess Anne]], the Olympics minister [[Hugh Robertson (politician)|Hugh Robertson]] and the London Mayor [[Boris Johnson]], along with the footballer [[David Beckham]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Olympic torch: Flame arrives in UK for 2012 torch relay |first=Claire |last=Heald |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18093410 |work=BBC News |date=18 May 2012 |access-date=15 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016075720/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18093410 |archive-date=16 October 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 27 May 2017, British Airways suffered a computer power failure. All flights were cancelled and thousands of passengers were affected.<ref>{{cite news |date=27 May 2017 |title=British Airways: Chaos continues at Heathrow |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-40074751 |access-date=25 January 2024 |work=BBC News }}</ref> By the following day, the company had not succeeded in reestablishing the normal function of its computer systems. When asked by reporters for more information on the ongoing problems, British Airways stated "The root cause was a power supply issue which our affected our IT systems - we continue to investigate this" and declined to comment further.<ref>{{cite news |date=28 May 2017 |title=Five questions for BA over IT crash |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-40075721 |access-date=25 January 2024 |work=BBC News }}</ref> [[Willie Walsh (businessman)|Willie Walsh]] later attributed the crash to an electrical engineer disconnecting the [[Uninterruptible power supply|UPS]] and said there would be an independent investigation.<ref>{{cite news |date=5 June 2017 |title=British Airways says IT chaos was caused by human error |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-40159202 |access-date=25 January 2024 |work=BBC News }}</ref>

Amidst the decline in the value of Iranian currency due to the reintroduction of U.S. sanctions on Iran, BA announced that the Iranian route is "not commercially viable". As a result, BA decided to stop its services in Iran, effective 22 September 2018.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-45288659 |title=BA and Air France to stop flights to Iran |date=23 August 2018 |work=BBC News |access-date=24 August 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180823233337/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-45288659 |archive-date=23 August 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.voanews.com/a/british-airways-air-france-halt-flights-iran-next-month/4541503.html |title=British Airways, Air France to Halt Flights to Iran as of Next Month |agency=Reuters |work=Voice of America |access-date=24 August 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180823212902/https://www.voanews.com/a/british-airways-air-france-halt-flights-iran-next-month/4541503.html |archive-date=23 August 2018 |url-status= live}}</ref>

In 2018, British Airways partnered with British tailor and designer [[Ozwald Boateng]] to redesign the company's historic uniforms, in honour of its approaching [[centenary]], creating a new look for BA, while adhering to its traditional style. The new collection "A British Original" was launched in 2023.<ref>{{cite press release|title=British designer, Ozwald Boateng to design new uniforms for British Airways|url=https://mediacentre.britishairways.com/pressrelease/details/86/0/10131|website=British Airways|publisher=International Airlines Group|location=London|access-date=28 July 2022|archive-date=28 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220728164205/https://mediacentre.britishairways.com/pressrelease/details/86/0/10131|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=British Airways unveils new uniforms by Ozwald Boateng|url=https://fashionunited.uk/news/fashion/british-airways-unveils-new-uniforms-by-ozwald-boateng/2023010967137|website=Fashion United|publisher=Danielle Wightman-Stone|location=UK|access-date=15 January 2023|archive-date=15 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115094409/https://fashionunited.uk/news/fashion/british-airways-unveils-new-uniforms-by-ozwald-boateng/2023010967137|url-status=live}}</ref> This design initiative also included English bone china manufactured by William Edwards and cutlery by [[William Welch (designer)|Studio William]] for the company's first class service.<ref>{{cite web |date=13 March 2019 |title=A look inside British Airways' brand new first-class luxury cabins |url=https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/travel-food/article/3001249/look-inside-british-airways-brand-new-first-class |access-date=2 March 2023 |website=South China Morning Post |archive-date=2 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230302103118/https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/travel-food/article/3001249/look-inside-british-airways-brand-new-first-class |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2019, as part of the celebrations of a centenary of airline operations in the United Kingdom, British Airways announced that four aircraft would receive retro liveries. The first of these is a Boeing 747-400 (G-BYGC), which was repainted into the former BOAC livery, which it retained until its retirement. Two more Boeing 747-400s were repainted with former British Airways liveries. One wore the "[[Landor Associates|Landor]]" livery until its retirement in 2020 (G-BNLY), the other (G-CIVB), wore the original "Union Jack" livery until its retirement in 2020 also. An Airbus A319 was repainted into [[British European Airways]] livery, which is still flying as G-EUPJ.<ref name=Flight455845>{{cite news |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/pictures-boac-747-retrojet-marks-british-airways-ce-455845 |title=PICTURES: BOAC 747 retrojet marks British Airways centenary |first=Max |last=Kingsley-Jones |work=FlightGlobal|publisher=DVV Media Group|location=London |access-date=18 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190218160427/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/pictures-boac-747-retrojet-marks-british-airways-ce-455845/ |archive-date=18 February 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 28 April 2020, the company set out plans to make up to 12,000 staff redundant because of the [[Impact of the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic on aviation|global collapse of air traffic due to the COVID-19 pandemic]]<ref name="guardian-british-airways-plans-to-make-up-to-12000-staff-redundant">{{cite news|title=British Airways plans to make up to 12,000 staff redundant|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/apr/28/british-airways-plans-to-make-up-to-12000-staff-redundant|last=Neate|first=Rupert|date=28 April 2020|access-date=29 April 2020|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|location=[[London]]|archive-date=28 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200428235102/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/apr/28/british-airways-plans-to-make-up-to-12000-staff-redundant|url-status=live}}</ref> and that it may not reopen its operations at Gatwick airport.<ref>{{cite news|date=30 April 2020|title=BA may not reopen at Gatwick once pandemic passes|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-52489013|access-date=6 May 2020|archive-date=1 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200501020642/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-52489013|url-status=live}}</ref> They reopened at Gatwick in March 2022.<ref name="Gatwick reopens">{{cite news |title=British Airways returns to Gatwick following South Terminal reopening - follow live |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/british-airways-gatwick-south-terminal-europe-b2046303.html |access-date=16 January 2024 |work=The Independent |date=29 March 2022 }}</ref>

In July 2020, British Airways announced the immediate retirement of its entire 747-400 fleet, having originally intended to phase out the remaining 747s in 2024. The airline stated that its decision to bring forward the date was in part due to the downturn in air travel following the [[COVID-19]] pandemic and to focus on incorporating more modern and fuel-efficient aircraft such as the [[Airbus A350]] and [[Boeing 787]]. At the same time, British Airways also announced its intention to eliminate carbon emissions by 2050.<ref>{{cite news |date=17 July 2020 |title=British Airways retires entire 747 fleet after travel downturn |work=BBC News |last=Leggett|first=Theo|location=London|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-53426886 |access-date=26 April 2021 |archive-date=24 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724211729/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-53426886 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= Former British Airways pilot on flying iconic Boeing 747 jumbo jet |last=Roenschein|first=Alastair|url= https://news.sky.com/story/former-british-airways-pilot-on-flying-iconic-boeing-747-jumbo-jet-12030454 |access-date= 26 April 2021 |work=[[Sky News]]|archive-date= 9 August 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200809143207/https://news.sky.com/story/former-british-airways-pilot-on-flying-iconic-boeing-747-jumbo-jet-12030454 |url-status= live }}</ref> On 28 July 2020, the company's cabin crew union issued an "industrial action" warning in order to prevent the 12,000 job cuts and pay cuts.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.ft.com/content/b4d46104-31cf-479a-882f-a6e98982e6fb |title=British Airways cabin crew union warns of strike over job cuts |newspaper=[[Financial Times]] |location=[[London]]|publisher=[[Nikkei, Inc.]]|last=Powley |first=Tanya |url-access=subscription|date=28 July 2020 |access-date=28 July 2020 |archive-date=28 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728215547/https://www.ft.com/content/b4d46104-31cf-479a-882f-a6e98982e6fb |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 12 October 2020, it was announced that [[Sean Doyle (businessman)|Sean Doyle]], CEO of Aer Lingus (also part of the IAG airline group) would succeed [[Álex Cruz (businessman)|Álex Cruz]] as CEO.<ref name="Guardian">{{cite news |last1=Sweney |first1=Mark |title=Alex Cruz steps down as BA chief in wake of Covid job cuts row |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/oct/12/alex-cruz-ba-covid-job-cuts-british-airways-sean-doyle |access-date=12 October 2020 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=12 October 2020 |archive-date=7 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407051819/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/oct/12/alex-cruz-ba-covid-job-cuts-british-airways-sean-doyle |url-status=live }}</ref>