A British Airways plane has been repainted in retro livery for the airline’s centenary celebrations.

The Boeing 747 landed at London Heathrow on Monday sporting a British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) design.

This livery was originally used between 1964 and 1974.

The plane was stripped of its contemporary British Airways design and repainted at Dublin Airport.

British Airways staff welcomed the arrival at London Heathrow (Steve Parsons/PA
British Airways staff welcomed the arrival at London Heathrow (Steve Parsons/PA)

It will continue to display the retro livery until it is taken out of service in 2023.

The aircraft will depart for New York on Tuesday, which was the first route a Boeing 747 flew in BOAC colours.

British Airways ambassadors Abigail Hunt (left) and Laura Molloy wearing an original BOAC uniform stand in front of the plane (Steve Parsons/PA)
British Airways ambassadors Abigail Hunt (left) and Laura Molloy wearing an original BOAC uniform (Steve Parsons/PA)

Details of three more British Airways planes to be painted in retro liveries have yet to be disclosed.

The airline’s chief executive Alex Cruz said: “The enormous interest we’ve had in this project demonstrates the attachment many people have to British Airways’ history.

“It’s something we are incredibly proud of, so in our centenary year it’s a pleasure to be celebrating our past while also looking to the future.

“We look forward to many more exciting moments like this as our other aircraft with heritage designs enter service.”

File photo dated 16/4/1971 of a Boeing 747 in BOAC livery (PA)
A Boeing 747 in British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) livery in 1971 (PA)

Aircraft Transport and Travel Limited (AT and T) launched the world’s first daily international scheduled flight between London and Paris in August 1919.

British Airways describes the airline as its “forerunner company”.

AT and T was incorporated into airlines with various names on multiple occasions – including BOAC – culminating in the creation of British Airways in 1974.