British Airways

British Airways (BA) is the United Kingdom's largest airline, and is also one of the largest international airlines in the world. The airline maintains major hubs at London's Heathrow and Gatwick airports.http://www.hoovers.com/company/British_Airways_Plc/crkjri-1.html The airline has a fleet of 240 aircraft and services 150 destinations in 75 countries.http://www.hoovers.com/company/British_Airways_Plc/crkjri-1.html British Airways also has a network of 300 more destinations that are available through code-sharing relationships.<ref>http://www.hoovers.com/company/British_Airways_Plc/crkjri-1.html

In 2009, the airline announced its intent to merge with Iberia, Spain's number one airline, Iberia.http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/8167505/British-Airways-Iberia-merger-by-numbers.html In 2010, investors voted in favor of the move which would make BA the world's third largest airline.http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/8167505/British-Airways-Iberia-merger-by-numbers.html The merger will also change British Airways' name to International Consolidated Airlines Group.http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/8166433/British-Airways-shareholder-vote-to-trigger-end-of-BA-name-on-stock-market-screens.html The airline will still be based in London and run by the current chairman of BA, Willie Walsh, but will be a Madrid-registered company.http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/8166433/British-Airways-shareholder-vote-to-trigger-end-of-BA-name-on-stock-market-screens.html

On December 24, 2010, British Airways selected Viropro Inc. as its 2010 Face-of-Opportunity winner.http://www.stockbriefings.com/uk-market-news-roundup-bay-ba-vod/3179239 This award is given to small businesses, and it will allow Viropro to travel anywhere in the world they need to go to conduct their vital business.http://www.stockbriefings.com/uk-market-news-roundup-bay-ba-vod/3179239 The award will also allow the company's executives to attend the British Airways Face-of-Opportunity business conference.http://www.stockbriefings.com/uk-market-news-roundup-bay-ba-vod/3179239

The history of British Airways began in 1919 when, the forerunner company, Aircraft Transport and Travel Limited, made the first flight from London to Paris. The flight carried one passenger, along with newspapers, cream and grouse.http://www.britishairways.com/travel/explore-our-past/public/en_gb During the 1920s the airlines that were just getting started in Britain, Instone, Handley Page, The Daimler Airway and British Marine Air Navigation Company, decided to merge into Imperial Airways Limited.http://www.britishairways.com/travel/explore-our-past/public/en_gb During the 1930s a few more airlines joined Imperial Airways Limited and began to operate services to Paris, Brussels, Basle, Cologne and Zurich.http://www.britishairways.com/travel/explore-our-past/public/en_gb In the 1990s British Airways experienced a loss of traffic due to the Gulf War and British Airways was forced to cut jobs and services.http://www.britishairways.com/travel/history-1990-1999/public/en_gb The 2000s saw the airline adding destinations and services while cutting fares. In 2005 Willie Walsh was announced as British Airways' new chief executive officer.<ref>http://www.britishairways.com/travel/history-2000-present/public/en_gb

• 1919: First flight from London and Paris.http://www.britishairways.com/travel/explore-our-past/public/en_gb
• 1924: Imperial Airways founded as merger of four smaller airlines.http://www.britishairways.com/travel/explore-our-past/public/en_gb
• 1935: British Airways Ltd. founded as merger of other smaller airlines.http://www.britishairways.com/travel/explore-our-past/public/en_gb
• 1939: British Airways and Imperial Airways nationalized as British Overseas Airway Corporation (BOAC).http://www.britishairways.com/travel/explore-our-past/public/en_gb
• 1974: BOAC and British European Airways combined to form British Airways.http://www.britishairways.com/travel/explore-our-past/public/en_gb
• 1976: Partnered with Air France, flies first supersonic Concorde flight.http://www.britishairways.com/travel/explore-our-past/public/en_gb
• 1987: Airline privatizedhttp://www.britishairways.com/travel/history-1980-1989/public/en_gb
• 1993: British Airways purchases 25% stake in Qantashttp://www.britishairways.com/travel/history-1990-1999/public/en_gb

• 2000: British Airways cancels all Concorde flights after crash in Paris

• Passenger service to 150 destinationshttp://www.hoovers.com/company/British_Airways_Plc/crkjri-1-1njdap.html

• Private jet servicehttp://www.britishairways.com/travel/searchba/public/en_gb?p_search_text=services

• Sleeper Service on selected overnight flightshttp://www.britishairways.com/travel/searchba/public/en_gb?p_search_text=services

• Air France-KLMhttp://www.hoovers.com/company/British_Airways_Plc/crkjri-1-1njea3.html

• Deutsche Lufthansa AGhttp://www.hoovers.com/company/British_Airways_Plc/crkjri-1-1njea3.html

• United Continental Holdings, Inc.http://www.hoovers.com/company/British_Airways_Plc/crkjri-1-1njea3.html