Queen Elizabeth II paid a visit to British Airways today to commemorate the carrier’s 100th birthday.
Escorted by CEO Alex Cruz, the Queen was met by staff dressed in heritage uniforms from the 1930s to present day. The Queen also learned about Flying Start, the UK’s charity that supports children and young people in need (which makes me think of another queen named Moses…). No telling whether the Queen giggled when watching Rowan Atkinson or Ian McKellen.
Inside the Heritage Centre in Middlesex, the Queen browsed artifacts including tickets from her flight on British Airways. That was a trip to Jamaica with Prince Philip just after her Coronation in 1953.
The Duke of Edinburgh, now retired from public service, did not join the Queen. Prince Philip, of course, famously called economy class “ghastly” and that was before British Airways reduced seat pitch to 29 inches!
> Read More: Prince Philip Calls Economy Class “Ghastly”
The trip to Heathrow was the Queen’s first since she and Prince Philip opened “The Queen’s Terminal” (Terminal 2) in 2014.
CONCLUSION
I wasn’t even aware that British Airways has a Heritage Centre. It’s located just northwest of Heathrow. Next time I’m in town, I will attempt to check it out.
And may I just add here that the Queen looked so sharp today in her blue dress, blue hat, and white gloves. 93-years old, 67-years on the throne, and still a very faithful public servant. I just love the distinction between Head of State and Prime Minister in the UK system. The Prime Minster may have resigned today, but the Head of State endures as a force of stability. But now we are getting sidetracked…
image: Buckingham Palace Queen Elizabeth British Airways
If you want to visit the Heritage Centre you might not want to leave it too long.
Both that and the BA head quarters next door are set to be bulldozed to make way for the third Heathrow runway 🙂
020 8562 5777
020 8562 5737
Fax:
020 8562 5747
By post:
British Airways Heritage Collection
Waterside (HDGA)
PO Box 365
Harmondsworth
Middlesex
UB7 0GB
United Kingdom
If a visit is arranged, the ‘visiting address’ is:
British Airways Heritage Collection
Waterside
Speedbird Way
Harmondsworth
Middlesex
UB7 0GA
The British Airways Heritage Centre situated within British Airways Waterside Corporate Headquarters is manned by volunteers whose dedication, together with the generosity of donations of artefacts from many staff and former colleagues, has built the collection to what it is today.
The Heritage Centre is open for visitors
(No opening hours posted on that webpage https://www.britishairways.com/en-us/information/about-ba/history-and-heritage
A future post, if you visit, would be very interesting to read.
HMTQ is even more remarkable when you look at the number of foreign heads of state she meets and entertains always with a smile. I suspect however that there is one which happens early next month which she will find more difficult than many.