U-turn from BA on Union Flag tailfins

British Airways has revealed that six aircraft from its subsonic fleet are to have Union Flag tailfins. These will replace the ethnic art designs originally created in 1997 by the then Newell and Sorrell, after the traditional image proved popular with travellers.

The planes, all Boeing 747s, will have the Union Flag motif, also designed by Interbrand Newell and Sorrell, applied to their tailfins. Reports suggest that the repainting could cost 75 000, though a BA spokeswoman would not confirm the figure.

The flag motif is currently on BA’s seven Concordes and the Boeing 767 used by the Queen.