British Airways

was formed on 31 March 1974 through the merger of two state-owned carriers, the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC), which flew long-haul intercontinental routes, and British European Airways (BEA), which handled domestic and European services, together with the regional airlines Cambrian Airways and Northeast Airlines. Its heritage stretches back further to pioneering carriers such as Imperial Airways and the original British Airways Ltd. BOAC had earlier made aviation history, introducing the world's first jet passenger service with the de Havilland Comet in 1952 and the first transatlantic jet service in 1958.

Originally state-owned, British Airways was privatized in 1987 and grew into one of the world's largest international airlines, based at London Heathrow. It was a founding member of the oneworld alliance in 1999. In January 2011 British Airways merged with Spain's Iberia to form International Airlines Group (IAG), a holding company under which both carriers continue to operate under their own brands. British Airways remains the United Kingdom's principal flag carrier and a major global long-haul operator.