Retro Liveries on A380?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 950
Retro Liveries on A380?
Something came up on my Instagram about the 747 in the Negus Livery.
Obviously with COVID we didn't get the retro livery 747s for as long as first hoped.
It got me thinking, would when BA fit the A380s with Club Suite would there be a chance they would give some the retro liveries. I remember the BOAC one was particularly striking.
Also other than cost is there any reason that they haven't done any retro Liveries since 3 747s and one A320.
Obviously with COVID we didn't get the retro livery 747s for as long as first hoped.
It got me thinking, would when BA fit the A380s with Club Suite would there be a chance they would give some the retro liveries. I remember the BOAC one was particularly striking.
Also other than cost is there any reason that they haven't done any retro Liveries since 3 747s and one A320.
#2
Join Date: Sep 2018
Programs: BAEC Bronze
Posts: 467
I guess that the 3 liveries used on the 747s had been seen on the 747 in the past (admittedly not all on the 744)
the A380 has only ever flown in Chatham Dockyard, so I guess there would be more of a split verdict on whether it would be 'proper' to paint one in a retro livery. Maybe by the time CS is fitted, Chatham dockyard will be considered retro!
Having said all that, the A319 wasnt ever in BEA livery prior to the retrojet and i dont remember too many complaints.
the A380 has only ever flown in Chatham Dockyard, so I guess there would be more of a split verdict on whether it would be 'proper' to paint one in a retro livery. Maybe by the time CS is fitted, Chatham dockyard will be considered retro!
Having said all that, the A319 wasnt ever in BEA livery prior to the retrojet and i dont remember too many complaints.
#3
Join Date: Nov 2021
Programs: Ba Exec club
Posts: 27
Something came up on my Instagram about the 747 in the Negus Livery.
Obviously with COVID we didn't get the retro livery 747s for as long as first hoped.
It got me thinking, would when BA fit the A380s with Club Suite would there be a chance they would give some the retro liveries. I remember the BOAC one was particularly striking.
Also other than cost is there any reason that they haven't done any retro Liveries since 3 747s and one A320.
Obviously with COVID we didn't get the retro livery 747s for as long as first hoped.
It got me thinking, would when BA fit the A380s with Club Suite would there be a chance they would give some the retro liveries. I remember the BOAC one was particularly striking.
Also other than cost is there any reason that they haven't done any retro Liveries since 3 747s and one A320.
I'd like to see some. The later BEA 'speedjack' livery hasn't been re used and would look good on say an Embraer. The BOAC scheme would look good on almost anything but I think the reason 747s were chosen for the retro schemes they wore was because they had been used on 747s in period.
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,146
but I think the reason 747s were chosen for the retro schemes they wore was because they had been used on 747s in period
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 950
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,146
Difficult, isn’t it! I have flown the BEA A319, so I’m arguing with myself! But at least the 747 had credibility. The others, yes, less so!
#8
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Dundee
Programs: BA Plastic. HH Diamond. Speedwell Bar Lifetime Platinum.
Posts: 1,426
#9
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: London, Babylon-on-Thames
Programs: BAEC Blue (back to Earth)
Posts: 1,510
#11
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: BA Blue, EI Silver, Honours Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,209
The very first A320 was painted in B.Cal livery, but I think was delivered in BA Landor colours.
The 4 retro jets were part of BA 100 celebrations. Unless there is another major anniversary or event I don’t think we will see retro jets, unfortunately.
The 4 retro jets were part of BA 100 celebrations. Unless there is another major anniversary or event I don’t think we will see retro jets, unfortunately.
#13
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: London, Babylon-on-Thames
Programs: BAEC Blue (back to Earth)
Posts: 1,510
Aer Lingus still have theirs, it has been repainted in the retro scheme. Austrian, Finnair, Lufthansa, Air France, CSA, KLM, Martinair, Garuda, LATAM, Adria, SAS, LOT, Turkish, Tunisair, QANTAS, Tarom, El Al, Air Malta, Malaysia, Gulf Air, PIA, Qatar, Air Canada, TAP etc etc have all had at least one retrojet in the last few years. It's good for the brand and reminds people that they've been around a few years. American have a whole sub fleet of A321s in retro colours.
#14
Join Date: Nov 2023
Programs: BAEC GGLfL
Posts: 486
And is cost cutting in their DNA?
As noted above, a retro livery is not needed to assure passengers that the A380s have been "around a few years". They have Heritage Club World™️.
Face it, BA did this for the 100 Anniversary celebrations which were then ruined by Covid. Try again when the 150th comes around.
As noted above, a retro livery is not needed to assure passengers that the A380s have been "around a few years". They have Heritage Club World™️.
Face it, BA did this for the 100 Anniversary celebrations which were then ruined by Covid. Try again when the 150th comes around.
#15
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: UK
Programs: Mucci, Diamond Status & on the Supreme Council des Conseillers, BA Ag, Bonvoy GFL/Plat, xVS Au
Posts: 833
At risk of going a little off topic. What were the pre Covid plans for the year? Were they planning a formation of 4 747s at all? That would have been quite a sight!