note
British Overseas Airways Corporation was established by the British government under BOAC Act. This Act merged operations of two pre-war British airlines, the Imperial Airways which focused on long haul operations into Africa, South Asia and Australia and British Airways Ltd. which operated European network. BOAC commenced operations as such in April 1940.
Airline started its North Atlantic service in September 1941 using Boeing 314 flying boats. The War caused great disruption of service. The Sydney route had to be terminated in Calcutta because Singapore was in Japanese hands. BOAC operated cargo flights to Sweden via German held Norway on Leuchars - Stockholm route to pick up ball bearings for the military. BOAC flew its African network via Lisbon, Gibraltar and North Africa. It also operated flights to Moscow via same route!
By the end of 1944, BOAC re-established many of its European destinations like Paris, Brussels, Lyon, Athens, Copenhagen, Prague, Oslo and Warsaw.
BOAC, because of British empire, operated flights out of British colonies as well as United Kingdom. There was scheduled service between Bermuda and Baltimore, Durban - Cairo - Karachi - Singapore - Sydney, Cairo - Khartoum etc.
After the war, British government decided to split BOAC into three state owned entities. BOAC kept long-haul service into Africa, North America, South Asia and Australia. New company BEA BritishEuropean Airways was formed to operate BOACs European network and British South American Airways was established to serve South America.
In 1946 flights to Australia resumed and in April 1947 first flight to Canada on London - Prestwick - Gander - Montreal route was inaugurated using Lockheed Constellation.
In 1948 London - Hong Kong route was extended to Tokyo using Plymouth flying boats. The same year also saw introduction of New York - London - Nairobi route using Avro Yorks.
In December 1949 first Boeing Stratocruiser was introduced on London - New York route.
In August 1950 Handley Page Hermes was put into service on London - Tripoli - Kano - Lagos route. In November it was extended to South Africa.
On May 5th 1952 BOAC became first airline in the world to introduce jet service when a de Havilland Comet was put on London - Rome - Beirut - Khartoum - Entebbe - Johannesburg route. In 1954 BOAC lost two of its Comets and the type had to be grounded because of metal fatigue of preSsurized fuselage. The type was put into service with BOAC in 1958 after much improved Comet IV became available.
In October 1956 BOAC took delivery of its first Douglas DC-7 aircraft. In February following year Bristol Britannia service to Johannesburg was innaugurated. In December this turboprop was also put on New York route.
On May 27th 1960, Boeing 707 service was inaugurated on New York - London route.
The same year also saw introduction of 707 on London - San Francisco - Hong Kong route which connected to Hong Kong - London route operated by Comet IV giving BOAC first round the world service.
In June 1962 BOAC teams up with Cunard Steamship Co. on North Atlantic routes.
In April 1964 Vickers VC.10 aircraft is introduced first on London - Lagos route. In May 1969 new Polar route London - Anchorage - Tokyo - Osaka is inaugurated using Boeing 707s. In the spring 1971, British Caledonian takes over BOAC's West African network.
In April 1971 BOAC operates its first Boeing 747 service on London - New York route.
September 1st 1972 British Airways Group is established by British government.
In 1974 British government merged BOAC with British European Airways and new entity was named British Airways.
founded - demised (age)
November 24 1939 - March 31 1974 (35)
headquarters
Great West Rd, Brentford Middlesex
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current /stored fleet (0)
