Staff Journalist GEMMA WEIR goes along to the British Airways Heritage Centre in London to walk through 100 years of BA history…
British Airways brought in its centenary year in 2019. One hundred years of the great BA institution, relied on by so many of us today.
I was invited for a walk through aviation history at the British Airways Heritage Centre in London to get a real feel for what has actually gone on in the world of BA over the past one hundred years and to really get my head around what makes British Airways such an iconic part of our history; trusted as much today as in 1919 when the worlds first scheduled international flight rattled along the runway from Hounslow, Middlesex and launched into the skies bound for Paris. By todays standards, that little single-engined De Havilland DH4A would not raise an eyebrow if one was told it originated from a Kinder Egg, but it got there, and that was just the beginning. We hadn’t even reached the great ‘British Airways’ name yet, but we were off to a flying start!
The British Airways Heritage Collection has existed since the first seeds of British Airways were planted and records the journey meticulously with preserved records and artifacts of British Airways predecessor companies BOAC, BEA, BSAA, and the pre-war Imperial Airways and British Airways Ltd. which all helps to show the historic richness of our much-loved airline today.
I consider myself to be very fortunate indeed to have been taken on my walk through history by a treasured, living piece of British Airways history; Keith Hayward, who celebrated his own 90th year just as BA Celebrated their 100th! Keith has lived through it all, or, certainly most of it. I’m sure jet fuel courses through this gentleman’s veins! Keith brought history to life. Keith began his career as an apprentice in 1945, back in the days of BSAA (British South American Airlines), and he has gone along for the ride ever since. Keith has seen a lot of changes in the history of aviation and still today, at the age of ninety, his excitement and passion for the industry radiates through every word. Keith has personal knowledge of the great British Airways history, and what particularly appealed to me, was his relationships with the people he met along the way who were instrumental for the growth, survival and thriving of such a company as British Airways. Keith is perhaps one of the unsung heroes of this industry whose dedication for so many years has been the fuel for success.
The evolution of air travel is fascinating, I wonder how many of us actually realise that we’re living in the age of the mighty oak that all stemmed from the little kinder egg acorn a century ago. We jump on planes today like they’re buses, you can even get an airfare for less than a train ticket! Back in the day, when health and safety was a thing of the future, air travel was in a class of its own. Passengers would board their finery and enjoy the luxury of flight. 1927 saw the launch of the luxurious ‘Silver Wings’ lunch service where a four-course luncheon was serviced with a steward and of course… bar service. The world was getting smaller by the day and the industry was making massive leaps.
That iconic red, white and blue had not yet graced the skies but the foundations were firmly set for the formation of British Airways Limited on January 1, 1936.
The Heritage Centre is a treasure trove of memorabilia, the displays pull even the most reluctant historian into a time warp of happenings. My own attention span is like that of a toddler, but the visuals combined with the stories were captivating. I almost felt envious of Keith and how he had been a part of this whole wonderful BA World. For someone who likes to keep her feet firmly on the ground (literally, metaphorically they’re in space), I found myself getting excited about aviation and wishing I had been able to be a cog in this rich history too.
I got a real sense of how much of a national treasure British Airways has become, the heritage centre has our own British history woven throughout theirs as I read the entries on a logbook, written in the pilots hand; as he proudly documented flying HRH Princess Elizabeth out from London to Africa and the next sobering line he wrote below as he flew HRH Queen Elizabeth home after the death of her father, King George VI.
As our tour continued, I was totally immersed in the story. The characters, the heroes, the staggering distance British Airways has come, surviving two world wars, making history, breaking boundaries and setting new benchmarks for the future.
Probably one of the most famous aircraft in the world is Concorde, as it would shoot through the skies like a cork from a Champagne bottle. I never thought that I could ever say that I took a seat on Concorde. But I have now, in what is possibly the most impressive piece of up-cycling I have ever seen. The seats of Concorde have been made into (actually very comfy) office chairs, more of which can be found in the conference room in the Concorde lounge at London Heathrow airport. So I took a seat. I may not have had the full flight experience the Queen was afforded in 1977 when she flew Concorde from Barbados to London, but I was happy to take a seat without worrying about my passport.
British Airways is a shining example of the changing times, as the world moves on, BA keeps up, not only with the major advancements in technology, safety, innovation, environmental awareness, but this classic airline has showed progression in every area. Of course, my own particular favourite has to be noted to be the evolution of fashion. Yes, that’s a BA thing too! I might be clueless when it comes to technical aircraft terminology and the mechanical jargon, but I know a good dress when I see one! I was delighted to walk along the line of uniforms of cabin crew through the ages, giggling to myself at how the paper dress of the sixties might be received in today’s modern world (I’d still wear it though). It brought my focus to the little details that all come together, all the tiny cogs of one great big machine, all the individuals, like Keith, who have had their role in something massive and who still take pride in being something that the nation is proud of!
British Airways… I wonder where you’ll be taking us in the next one hundred years?!
