British Airways has made this announcement:

Jersey residents will step back in time when British Airways celebrates 100 years of flying with a nostalgic entry in this year’s International Air Display on September 12.

One of the airline’s heritage aircraft, an Airbus A319 in the former British European Airways (BEA) livery, will take part in the flypast, one of the highlights of the Jersey show which attracts more than 25,000 visitors.

The A319, registration G-EUPJ, has been painted to mark British Airways’ centenary and is one of a collection of four heritage aircraft with vintage livery.

BEA flew predominantly on domestic and European routes between 1959 and 1968. However, there is one significant difference with the replica; the aircraft has a grey upper wing, rather than the traditional red, to meet current wing paint reflectivity requirements.

The historic lookback during the air show will continue on the ground where British Airways’ ambassadors in various heritage uniforms will welcome visitors to the show. There will be a special Club Europe fare on offer and a chance to win flights from Jersey to Milan, a new destination from London Gatwick this year.

British Airways operates a year-round service to Gatwick from Jersey, with 34 departures a week.

The airline has a long association with Jersey which began in 1933 when Jersey Airways, a forerunner of BEA and British Airways, launched its new route from Portsmouth. Until Jersey Airport opened in March 1937, the aircraft arriving on the island landed on the beach at St Aubin’s Bay.

The airline will be working with expert partners to identify BA’s 100 Great Britons; the people up and down the country who are currently shaping modern Britain, and of course, the year would not be complete without some special flying and moments for customers.

The centenary activity is taking place alongside the airline’s current five-year £6.5bn investment for customers. This includes the installation of the best quality WiFi and power in every seat, fitting 128 long-haul aircraft with new interiors and taking delivery of 72 new aircraft. The airline will also be introducing new Club World seat with direct aisle access later this year.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by the airline): BEA – British Airways Airbus A319-131 G-EUPJ (msn 1232) LHR (SPA). Image: 945875.

British Airways aircraft slide show:

British Airways made this announcement:

The first British Airways early-morning flight between Inverness and London Heathrow for more than two decades took off from the Highland capital this morning.

British Airways customers were piped on board the aircraft by members of the Inverness Royal British Legion Pipe Band which, like the airline, is celebrating its centenary this year.

The service was operated by an Airbus A319 aircraft registration G-EUPJ, in the heritage livery of BEA, part of British Airways’ centenary celebrations.

Above Copyright Photo: BEA – British Airways Airbus A319-131 G-EUPJ (msn 1232) LHR (Antony J. Best). Image: 945932.

The new Heathrow – Inverness schedule will see a 30 percent increase in capacity on the route and brings the number of flights up to three return services on Saturdays and Sundays, with a double daily service Monday to Friday. From October British Airways will operate a double daily service between the two cities seven days a week.

This morning’s flight means that, for the first time since the route was reintroduced in 2016, British Airways customers will be able to travel between the two cities and return the same day, a major boost to the region’s business sector.

British Airways aircraft slide show:

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