1980
In March British Airtours began replacing its Boeing 707-436s with Boeing 737-236s.

A small change to the airline’s livery was introduced in June. ‘British Airways’ titles were replaced by the single word ‘British’ in large letters on the upper fuselages.

The seventh and final Concorde was delivered in June.

BA’s first Boeing 747 freighter, G-KILO, entered service during October but soon fell victim to the developing economic problems; the aircraft was sold to Cathay Pacific in March 1982.

In December deliveries began of a fleet of new Boeing 737-236s for use on British Airways’ European and UK domestic services, and by Gatwick-based British Airtours.

Fuel prices were rising at the alarming rate of 70% per year. Immediate action came in the form of a survival plan, which called for unprofitable routes to be dropped, staff reductions and the early retirement of older aircraft. Many Trident 1s had already gone and these were followed by some Trident 2s, the 707s and the Super VC-10s, all of which were withdrawn by March 1981.

1981
The recession continued to deepen. Several Boeing 747-236s were delivered directly into storage in the USA and offered for sale; two Boeing 747-136s were sold to TWA during March.

1982
British Airways launched into the Concorde charter market.

Highlands Division was established as an autonomous unit in a successful attempt to reverse many years of losses on Scottish routes. Three additional HS748s were acquired on lease to replace the airline’s final Viscounts.

A reorganisation into business centres took place during May, creating an Intercontinental Division to administer long-haul routes, European Division for short-haul and UK domestics and the Gatwick Division for all operations from Gatwick including British Airtours.

1983
Boeing 757s were introduced during February, initially on Shuttle followed by European routes during the summer. The airline’s TriStar 500s were sold to the Royal Air Force.

“The World’s Favourite Airline” advertising campaign launched.

16 additional Boeing 737-236s were order as Trident replacements, ahead of the 1986 noise deadline.

1984
Concorde services to Washington were extended to Miami; three per week from March.

BA retired its final Boeing 707, which had operated with British Airtours, in March.

On 1 April, the airline became British Airways plc.

A Civil Aviation Authority review in July led to the publication of a White Paper which recommended a reduction in the size of BA and the transfer of many route to British competitors. After much pressure from the airlines and its employees the final result was the transfer during April 1985 of the Saudi Arabian routes to British Caledonian (BCAL) in exchange for the South American rights.

On 4 December BA unveiled a new livery, designed by Landor Associates of California; the design was to portray a different image while retaining some elements of the previous one.

1985
Two Air Lanka TriStar 500s were leased in April to operate the ex-BCAL South American services.

On 31 December, the last two Tridents were retired.

1986
The largest single aircraft order ever placed was made by British Airways in August, for 16 Boeing 747-436s plus another 12 on option worth US$4.3m and destined, at the time, to replace the 747-136s.

British Airways longhaul flights at Heathrow moved from Terminal 3 to Terminal 4 on 4 April together with selected shorthaul routes. All other shorthaul services continued 1987.

In December British Airways and United Airlines announce a worldwide marketing partnership.

Inauguration of British Airways Concorde scheduled service to Barbados.

1987
British Airways was finally privatised in February in a hugely oversubscribed flotation. Over one million applications were received for shares, offered at 125p, making the offer 11 times oversubscribed. Trading in British Airways shares began on 11 February.

The first women pilots for British Airways were appointed in April.

A merger with financially troubled British Caledonian was announced in July and implemented in December after agreement to drop some of BCAL’s slots had been reached. BA acquired a fleet of eight DC-10s, five miscellaneous Boeing 747s, 13 BAC 1-11-500s and an order for 10 Airbus A320s. The DC-10s were the first to be owned by British Airways and remained at Gatwick for another 11 years.

11 Boeing 767-336s, plus another 15 options, were contracted for in August.

1988
In January new Club World and Club Europe brands were introduced.

In March British Airways services at Gatwick transferred to the new North Terminal.

Airbus A320s began to enter service in April, initially from Gatwick’s new North Terminal which had opened in March. The A320s were transferred to Heathrow in November and have been based there since.

As part of the changes associated with the BCAL merger, British Airtours was re-named Caledonian Airways and adopted a lion-tailed livery from February and tartan uniforms similar to those of BCAL.

During October an order for 24 Boeing 737-300/400/500s was placed along with another for six Boeing 767-336s and a Boeing 757. The new 737s were all delivered from 1991 as –436s.

1989
In January, the BAe Advanced Turbo-Prop (ATP) entered service.

In March, the airline’s new First Class service was introduced.

BA’s first Boeing 747-400 service; G-BNLC flew London-Philadelphia-Pittsburgh on 28 July.

In September Super Shuttle was relaunched.

In October Shareholders approved a 15% investment in United Airlines. The bid was withdrawn when other partners in the planned buy-out failed to raise financing.

In December agreement was reached to acquire a 20% shareholding in Sabena World Airlines. Other partners in the joint venture were Sabena and KLM. The proposal was approved by the UK Monopolies and Mergers Commission in July 1990, but the European Commission issued a statement of objection, requesting further information, in June 1990. In December 1990, the three partners eventually decided not to proceed with the plan.