British Airways has announced the second design in a series of retro liveries as part of the airline’s centenary celebrations.

An Airbus 319 will be painted in the colours of the carrier’s short-haul predecessor British European Airways (BEA).

The aircraft will enter the paint bay at Shannon Airport, Ireland, this weekend, where it will be repainted with BEA livery predominantly used on domestic and European routes between 1959 and 1968.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh board their Trident airliner of British European Airways at Heathrow Airport, on their way to Malta for a four-day visit (PA)
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh board their Trident airliner from British European Airways at Heathrow Airport, on their way to Malta for a four-day visit (PA)

Modern aviation safety standards for reflecting heat mean the wings will be repainted grey, rather than the traditional red colour.

The plane will return to Heathrow Airport and enter service next month, with the design remaining on the aircraft until it retires next year.

On Monday a British Airways Boeing 747 arrived at the west London hub after being repainted in the colours of British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC).

A Boeing 747 in British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) livery, the first aircraft in British Airways’ centenary fleet, arrives at London’s Heathrow Airport (Steve Parsons/PA)
A Boeing 747 in British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) livery, the first aircraft in British Airways’ centenary fleet, arrives at London’s Heathrow Airport (Steve Parsons/PA)

Details of two more planes to be painted in retro liveries have yet to be disclosed.

British Airways chief executive Alex Cruz said: “There’s been plenty of speculation about our next heritage livery, so it’s great to finally be able to make this exciting announcement.

“BEA is an important part of our history, and many customers and colleagues will have fond memories flying on its aircraft.

“We’re sure this latest livery will bring back a flood of emotions and pride in not only British Airways, but the UK’s impressive aviation history – and what better time to do that than in our centenary year as we celebrate our past and look to the future.

“I can’t wait to see this classic design taking back to the skies.”

Aircraft Transport and Travel Limited (AT and T) launched the world’s first daily international scheduled flight between London and Paris in August 1919.

British Airways describes the airline as its “forerunner company”.

AT and T was incorporated into airlines with various names on multiple occasions – including BOAC and BEA – culminating in the creation of British Airways in 1974.