Queen Elizabeth adds sheen to British Airways’ centenary celebrations with visit to HQ

May 24, 2019: Queen Elizabeth visited British Airways' headquarters at Waterside, Heathrow as part of the airline's centenary celebrations. She unveiled a plaque with the airline's centenary logo and the words: Her Majesty The Queen visited Waterside to mark British Airways' centenary - 23rd May 2019.

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.

Some of these were images from 1951 when the then Princess Elizabeth and 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 the Queen's first Commonwealth tour in 1953, after her Coronation. She was also shown aircraft models that the royal family have travelled on the Speedbird Centre route.

Alex Cruz, British Airways' chairman and CEO, 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. It was such a pleasure to show Her Majesty The Queen the artefacts and memorabilia we have kept and curated over the years, and to introduce her to our passionate teams from all across British Airways who've gone above and beyond for customers, to those who make British Airways the inclusive place it is to work, and those who help raise millions for young people in need."