Commercial Airplanes

BCA Presence in the UK
Boeing Commercial Airplanes in the UK is headquartered a short distance from Heathrow airport, where the company's sales, finance, leasing, marketing and commercial aviation services activities are conducted.

The company has a long and distinguished history with UK airlines, with some 600 aircraft having been delivered to British and Irish airlines over the past 40 years. Services to the UK go as far back as 1939 when Pan American inaugurated the first transatlantic northern mail service to Southampton in a Boeing 314 Yankee Clipper. In 1942, Winston Churchill was the first British Prime Minister to make a transatlantic flight on-board a BOAC Boeing 314, flying from Bermuda to Plymouth. In the post war era numerous airlines operated the DC-3 and the relationship between Boeing and British airlines grew apace in the early 1960s. On 27 May 1960, BOAC opened for the first time, revenue-earning London/New York service with Rolls-Royce powered Boeing 707s. BOAC operated its first commercial Boeing 747 flight on 14 April 1971 and the Rolls-Royce-powered Boeing 747-200 was launched in 1974, with British Airways' order for four aircraft. British Airways continues to be one of the largest global operators of the 747. The Boeing 737 has played an important role in facilitating the growth of aviation in Europe and the aircraft is extremely popular with low-fares carriers such as Ryanair that exclusively operates 737-800s and has ordered nearly 300 aircraft to date.

First Choice is the European launch customer for the 787, having placed its first order for six 787s in July 2004 and a further two aircraft in December 2006. First Choice will receive their initial 787 in the first quarter of 2009.

For more information on Boeing Commercial Airplanes visit boeing.co.uk