Today saw the British Airways Negus retro jet delivered to Heathrow. While the aircraft spent 12 days in the paint shop, it was repainted in the original"British airways" livery.

This year sees British Airways celebrate their 100th anniversary. The first flight by a British Airways predecessor took place on the 25th of August 1919. The heritage livery collection was conceived to be part of the celebration, and has seen four aircraft repainted in liveries from BA's history.

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The aircraft is the fourth to be repainted in a retro livery. Photo: Tom Boon - Simple Flying

Retro livery series

Today's livery marks the end of the British Airways retro livery program. We have seen a total of four paint schemes applied to the fleet.

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The aircraft has a striking red, white, and blue tail. Photo: Tom Boon - Simple Flying

The first aircraft to receive the new livery was delivered back to British Airways on the 18th of February. The aircraft, a Boeing 747-400 registered G-BYGC, was repainted in BOAC's livery.

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Firstly the BOAC livery was delivered. Photo: Tom Boon - Simple Flying

Secondly, an A319 was repainted into a retro livery. This aircraft, registered G-EUPJ, was delivered to the airline with a BEA livery on March 4th.

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Secondly came the BEA retro livery. Photo: Tom Boon - Simple Flying

Thirdly, another Boeing 747-400 received a heritage livery. This aircraft, registered G-BNLY, was repainted in the British Airways Landor livery, worm by that very aircraft when it was delivered by Boeing.

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Thirdly the Landor livery was delivered. Photo: Nick Morrish -British Airways

British Airways Negus

The Boeing 747-400 flew back to its Heathrow Base today, becoming the final aircraft to be repainted by the airline. The aircraft's registration is G-CIVB, a 25-year-old aircraft having been delivered in February 1994.

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The aircraft touched down at 11:23. Photo: Tom Boon - Simple Flying

While in the Dublin paint shop, the aircraft was repainted in the Negus livery. Indeed, this was the first livery to feature the name British Airways. The livery was in use across the BA fleet from the merger of BEA and BOAC in 1974. In fact, it was in use until it's replacement by the Landor livery.

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A crowd of invited guests welcomed the aircraft back to Heathrow. Photo: Tom Boon - Simple Flying

If you weren't able to see the new livery arrive at Heathrow today, you shouldn't worry. The aircraft will wear the Negus paint scheme until its retirement in 2022. Until the end of its service, the aircraft will be rotated between different 747 destinations, as the previous two have been.

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British Airways cabin crew modelled the uniform of the time. Photo: Tom Boon - Simple Flying

What's next for BA100?

So far, British Airways have been focusing on their past. Indeed, this has been particularly highlighted by the retro liveried aircraft. It appears as though the focus now will be placed on the future of British Airways.

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The aircraft turned 25 years old in February. Photo: Tom Boon - Simple Flying

While no date has yet been confirmed, it is highly likely that the airline will have a big celebration on August 25th. There will also no doubt be other celebrations planned throughout the year, especially as the airline is due to receive their first A350-1000 aircraft this summer!

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Having celebrated its history, British Airways is expected to begin looking forward to the next 100 years. Photo: Tom Boon - Simple Flying

What do you think of the British Airways Negus livery? Which retro livery is your favourite? Let us know in the comments down below!