This month, British Airways is proudly celebrating nine decades of flying between Australia and the UK, commemorating a remarkable milestone in the airline’s history. 

To mark the occasion, the airline has launched a flash sale for customers booking flights between Sydney and London Heathrow. The sale includes up to AUD 90 off one-way fares in World Traveller (economy) and up to AUD 900 off return fares in Club (business class)*.

On 13 April 1935, Imperial Airways – a predecessor of British Airways – and Qantas Empire Airways launched their first regular service from London to Brisbane, with a handful of customers departing from London on 20 April. The journey took 12 days and included numerous stopovers along the way, such as Paris, Bangkok, and Darwin, a distant memory from the seamless long-haul experience available today. British Airways currently operates a daily flight between London and Sydney via Singapore on its four-cabin (World Traveller, World Traveller Plus, Club World and First) 787-9 fleet.

Neil Chernoff, British Airways’ Chief Planning and Strategy Officer, said: “It’s a privilege to mark 90 years since our first service between Australia and the UK, which is one of our longest-standing routes. We are proud to connect these two nations with deep-rooted ties, cultures and communities alike.

“Whilst much has changed since 1935, our commitment to the region remains as strong as ever. We hope our Australian customers take advantage of our flash sale to visit loved ones or book their next getaway to the UK. We look forward to welcoming them on board soon.”

In 2024, British Airways flew more than 84,000 seats to and from Sydney, and since 1935, more than 10 aircraft types have operated the route.