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Another 747 for the Books: British Airways Unveils Its 'Landor' Retro-Themed Jumbo Jet

March 09, 2019
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5 min read
NK - BA Landor Livery at DUB (14 of 21)
Another 747 for the Books: British Airways Unveils Its 'Landor' Retro-Themed Jumbo Jet
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British Airways is going all-out with the celebration of its 100th anniversary through airplanes painted in its former colors. On Saturday, the world's biggest operator of the Boeing 747 unveiled its second Jumbo Jet in so-called "retro colors," this one painted in the airline's official livery from 1984 to 1997. Known as Landor, from the name of the design studio that produced it, the livery flew with BA before the introduction of the current scheme, known as Chatham Dockyard.

TPG UK's Director of Content Nicky Kelvin was behind the scenes at the Dublin airport, where the 747 was painted, for the livery's unveiling on Saturday, before the first flight in new (or old...) colors from Dublin to London Heathrow.

British Airways special Landor livery Boeing 747-400. Photo by Nicky Kelvin / The Points Guy
British Airways special Landor livery Boeing 747-400. Photo by Nicky Kelvin / The Points Guy
British Airways special Landor livery Boeing 747-400. Photo by Nicky Kelvin / The Points Guy
British Airways special Landor livery Boeing 747-400. Photo by Nicky Kelvin / The Points Guy
Adding the final touches. Photo by Nicky Kelvin / The Points Guy
British Airways special Landor livery Boeing 747-400. Photo by Nicky Kelvin / The Points Guy
The captain and senior first officer before beginning pre-flight checks. Photo by Nicky Kelvin / The Points Guy
The captain running pre-flight checks. Photo by Nicky Kelvin / The Points Guy

The 747 with registration G-BNLY, a 26-year old bird, will then recommence regular operations by operating from Heathrow to Miami later on Saturday. The aircraft will wear the Landor livery until it is retired in 2023. British Airways has 35 Boeing 747s in the fleet, and will retire them by 2024. They are set to be replaced by the Airbus A350-1000 and the Boeing 777-9.

British Airways special Landor livery Boeing 747-400. Photo by Nicky Kelvin / The Points Guy
British Airways special Landor livery Boeing 747-400. Photo by Nicky Kelvin / The Points Guy
British Airways special Landor livery Boeing 747-400. Photo by Nicky Kelvin / The Points Guy
British Airways special Landor livery Boeing 747-400. Photo by Nicky Kelvin / The Points Guy
British Airways special Landor livery Boeing 747-400. Photo by Nicky Kelvin / The Points Guy

This third special livery follows the recent arrivals of a Boeing 747 painted in British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) livery and an Airbus A319 in BEA colors, each one representing one of the two airlines that merged in 1974 to form British Airways.

British Airways did not plan a Heathrow arrival event for this third (out of four) special-colors jet, like it did for the BOAC and BEA livery arrivals, partly because of its weekend arrival, but also for another reason that should make British Airways passengers and fans excited. British Airways is set to unveil the new Club World (BA's name for business class) seat for the new A350 earlier than expected, within the next few weeks, so it didn't want to overshadow the long-awaited, highly anticipated new business-class product. The 747s are going to keep the outdated business-class product they currently fly — a product that, while dated, can still hold its own on transatlantic hops when in the hands of a particularly good cabin crew.

(Featured image by Nicky Kelvin / The Points Guy)

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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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