British Airways operates first flight with all-black crew

A British Airways flight was operated by an all-black crew for the first time in the airline’s history

The momentous flight, BA 255, took off on February 8, 2023 from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) in Bridgetown, Barbados.

The all-black team included the flight and cabin crew, ground staff, airport gate team, and dispatchers.

A British Airways staff member tweeted photos from the flight, calling it a “very monumental day in BA’s history.”

The same staff member also uploaded video clips of the flight to TikTok, showing the all-black crew preparing for the historic flight.

British Airways had originally intended for the all-black flight to take place during the UK’s Black History month in October 2022, but due to roster and schedule conflict, could only make it happen in February 2023, which coincidentally falls under the US Black History month.

“We’re proud to have supported our BeME colleague network group to organise British Airways’ first ever all black colleague flight, celebrating the contribution our black colleagues make to the airline and highlighting how important representation and role models are to drive greater diversity,” British Airways told aviation site Paddle Your own Kanoo in a statement.

While this is British Airways’ first ever all-black flight, American Airlines had also completed a commemorative flight last year.

In August 2022, American Airlines operated an all-black flight from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) to honor Bessie Coleman, the first African-American female aviator.