British Airways operates a fleet that reflects its position as the UK's national carrier and a major long-haul operator. As of 2026 the airline flies around 280 aircraft, split between narrowbodies for European short-haul services from Heathrow, Gatwick, and City Airport, and widebodies for the long-haul network spanning North America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
This is a guide to British Airways' current fleet.
Narrowbody fleet
Airbus A319-100. The A319 is the smallest mainline Airbus in the BA fleet, seating 132 passengers. It is used on shorter intra-European routes and on some UK domestic flights.
Airbus A320-200. The standard A320 seats 177 passengers and is the workhorse of BA's European operation. It is used extensively on routes from Heathrow and Gatwick to continental Europe.
Airbus A320neo. The newer A320neo began entering BA's fleet in 2018 and has been expanding since. The aircraft seats 180 passengers and has largely taken over the deliveries that previously would have been A320ceo.
Airbus A321-200. The stretched A321 seats 220 passengers and is used on higher-density European routes. The older ceo variants are gradually being replaced by A321neo aircraft.
Airbus A321neo. The A321neo expansion has been a significant fleet development in recent years. The aircraft seats 235 passengers in BA's high-density configuration.
Embraer E190. BA CityFlyer, the subsidiary that operates from London City Airport, flies a fleet of Embraer E190 regional jets. The E190 is especially suited to London City because of its short takeoff and landing capabilities, which are required for the City Airport's unusually short runway.
Widebody fleet
Boeing 777-200ER. The 777-200ER has been a core part of BA's long-haul fleet for decades. It seats 275 passengers in a four-class configuration (First, Club World business, World Traveller Plus premium economy, and World Traveller economy). The fleet is aging and will be progressively replaced in the late 2020s.
Boeing 777-300ER. The stretched 777-300ER seats 297 passengers and is used on high-density long-haul routes. BA operates a substantial 777-300ER fleet.
Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. The 787-8 entered BA's fleet in 2013 as the first Dreamliner variant. It seats 214 passengers and is used on longer-haul routes where the capacity is appropriate.
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. The 787-9 seats 216 passengers and is used on many long-haul routes. It is BA's most common Dreamliner variant.
Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner. The largest 787 variant entered BA's fleet in 2020. It seats 256 passengers and is used on higher-density long-haul routes.
Airbus A350-1000. BA's A350-1000 fleet entered service in 2019 and seats 331 passengers. The aircraft is used on BA's newest long-haul routes and has become an important part of the airline's fleet renewal strategy.
Airbus A380-800. BA operates a small A380 fleet, seating 469 passengers. The aircraft is used on flagship routes from Heathrow to destinations like Los Angeles, Dubai, Hong Kong, and Miami. BA's A380s have been in service since 2013.
Retired types
Concorde. The Concorde supersonic airliner was retired by BA in 2003. BA was one of only two airlines to ever operate the type in commercial service.
Boeing 747-400. BA operated the world's largest 747 fleet for many years. The entire fleet was retired in 2020, accelerated by the pandemic. Some 747-400s appeared in various retirement schemes or were scrapped.
Boeing 757-200. Retired from BA's fleet in 2010.
Boeing 767-300ER. Retired in 2018.
Fleet strategy
BA's fleet is structured around Heathrow-based long-haul operations and European short-haul feeder services. The airline has been pursuing a fleet renewal strategy that focuses on Dreamliner and A350 widebodies for long-haul and on A320neo family aircraft for short-haul.
The 747-400 retirement in 2020 was a major fleet event. BA had been the largest 747 operator in the world for years, and the retirement marked the end of an era. The aircraft being replaced by a combination of A350-1000, 787-10, and 777-300ER services, each of which offers better fuel economy than the four-engine 747 while being capable of covering the same routes.
The A380 fleet remains in service and is expected to continue flying through the late 2020s. BA has not made announcements about A380 retirement, unlike several other operators that have walked away from the type.
Fleet comparison
Among European flag carriers, BA's fleet is distinctive for its premium-heavy configuration. BA's long-haul aircraft have substantial First Class and Club World business class cabins, a larger premium economy cabin, and relatively dense economy sections. The business model depends on capturing premium demand from London's financial and diplomatic centers, and the fleet is designed around that demand.
Compared to Lufthansa, Air France, or KLM, BA's widebody fleet is slightly more Airbus-heavy on the newer aircraft (A350-1000 vs 787 choices), though the legacy Boeing 777 presence remains substantial. The narrowbody fleet is essentially all Airbus, matching the European trend.
What to expect when booking
If you are flying BA within Europe, you are on an A319, A320, A320neo, A321, or A321neo. The short-haul experience is standardized, with BA's Euro Traveller economy and Club Europe business class products.
For transatlantic flights to the United States, the aircraft varies by route. High-density destinations like New York, Miami, Chicago, and Los Angeles use the 777-300ER, A350-1000, 787-10, or A380 depending on the route and time. Smaller US destinations use the 787-8 or 787-9.
For Asia, the A350-1000 is becoming the dominant aircraft on BA's newer routes, with the 777-300ER and 787-9 covering others. BA's flagship Hong Kong service uses the A380 when commercial demand supports it.
BA's long-haul aircraft all have well-regarded business class products, with the Club Suite on newer aircraft offering lie-flat seats with sliding doors. First Class is available on 777-300ER, A380, and A350-1000 aircraft, with a notably private cabin experience that has won industry awards.
