On March 31, one European flag carrier took off for the first time, and another was officially incorporated. These milestones played a significant role in shaping the aviation industry and marked a turning point in air travel – not just in Europe, but in terms of global connectivity..
1958: Austrian Airlines takes off for the first time
Austrian Airlines was founded in 1957 and started operations the following year with its inaugural flight from Vienna to London on March 31, 1958. The aircraft used for this flight was a Vickers Viscount. The flight took approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes, and it marking a new era in Austrian aviation.
Before the launch of Austrian Airlines, air travel in Austria was served by Air Austria and Austrian Airways. However, neither of the airlines made significant strides. It was only through the political unification of both these airlines that Austrian Airlines came to be – a new chapter that saw Austrian aviation truly take off.
Over the years, Austrian Airlines expanded its network and fleet. In 1969, its first long-haul flight was operated to New York. Two years later, the last of its Vickers Viscounts were taken out of service, and its first of nine Douglas DC-9s was delivered – the airline now had a pure jet fleet.
Today, Austrian Airlines is under the Lufthansa Group and is a member of the Star Alliance. The Austrian flag carrier operates a fleet of Airbus, Boeing, and Embraer jets and, through the Lufthansa Group network, connects Austria to destinations across Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas.
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1974: British Airways is born
While its origins can be traced back to World War I, the current iteration of British Airways was incorporated in the 1970s, following the merger of two of UK’s largest airlines, British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) and British European Airways (BEA), and two regional airlines, Cambrian Airways and Northeast Airlines. The new airline was officially established on March 31, 1974.
The merger of BOAC and BEA created a single national carrier for the UK, which could compete with other global airlines. British Airways quickly established itself as a leading airline, known for its premium service and game-changing tactics, such as the introduction of the Concorde to its fleet.
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Just two years after it was formed, British Airways introduced its flagship supersonic aircraft, the Concorde, which enabled the airline to offer transatlantic flights at unprecedented speeds. Today, British Airways is one of the world's leading airlines and is the second-largest UK-based carrier (in terms of fleet size and passengers carried), after easyJet.
Impacts on the aviation industry
The first flight of Austrian Airlines and the birth of British Airways were significant milestones in Europe’s history. They signified the beginning of two airlines that would go on to play an essential role in shaping the aviation industry, as well as European tourism.
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Today, both airlines continue to innovate and expand their networks, linking Austria and the UK with destinations across the globe. Their first flights may have been decades ago, their impact on the aviation industry is still apparent today.
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British Airways
- IATA/ICAO Code:
- BA/BAW
- Airline Type:
- Full Service Carrier
- Hub(s):
- London Heathrow Airport, London Gatwick Airport
- Year Founded:
- 1974
- Alliance:
- oneworld
- Airline Group:
- IAG
- CEO:
- Sean Doyle
- Country:
- United Kingdom
- Loyalty Program:
- British Airways Executive Club
-
Austrian Airlines
- IATA/ICAO Code:
- OS/AUA
- Airline Type:
- Full Service Carrier
- Hub(s):
- Vienna International Airport
- Year Founded:
- 1957
- Alliance:
- Star Alliance
- Airline Group:
- Lufthansa Group
- CEO:
- Annette Mann
- Country:
- Austria
- Region:
- Europe
- Loyalty Program:
- Miles & More
