British Airways – the World’s Favourite Airline – decided in 1997 to change their tailfin signature from the Union Jack colours to ones that would reflect the more cosmopolitan ethnic design in an attempt to move away from the ideas of Empire.
The new tailfins came from a myriad of places ranging from South Africa to Poland and China at an eye watering cost of £60m to rebrand the almost 300 strong fleet of aircraft.
Passengers and customers were not too happy. Some people felt that moving away from the core concept of BA being a British airline was a bit ludicrous. Sure it could and would be a global airline, but so is Air France!
A certain Margaret Thatcher draped her handkerchief over one of the designs calling it awful.
By 1999 the new deisgns were being replaced and returned to the more traditional look.
It may seem trivial, but the Union flag was easy to identify and again even though BA was privatised in 1987, it still is viewed as Britain’s national airline and usually a source of pride.
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