LONDON: Her majesty the Queen has visited British Airways’ headquarters at Waterside, Heathrow, as part of the airline’s centenary celebrations.
While at Waterside her majesty was introduced to colleagues in heritage uniforms from across the airline’s history and she visited British Airways’ museum, the Speedbird Centre, where she was shown artefacts and memorabilia relating to her many historic journeys with the airline throughout her reign.
These included images from 1951 when the then HRH princess Elizabeth and HRH the duke of Edinburgh made their first transatlantic flight on a Boeing Stratocruiser from London to Montreal aboard British Airways’ predecessor, BOAC, as well as a photo from her own first Commonwealth tour in 1953, after her coronation.
Aircraft models that the royal family has travelled on lined the Speedbird Centre route including De Havilland Comet 4s, Boeing 70s, Vickers VC-10s and Lockheed Tristars, along with items from royal flights such as the royal book, which has been signed by members of the family.
During the visit her majesty was also introduced to members of the airline’s community Investment team and champions from around the company who raise money for Flying Start, British Airways’ charity partnership with Comic Relief.
Alex Cruz, British Airways chairman, said: “We are so honoured that her majesty the Queen has chosen to visit us on this very special occasion to help to mark our centenary a landmark in aviation.”
