February traffic statistics

British Airways PLC
03 March 2004


TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS - February 2004


Summary of the headline figures


The month's figures, when compared to the same month last year, are distorted by
the extra day of flying (as 2004 is a leap year) and by the weak base, which was
negatively impacted by armoured tanks at Heathrow and impending war with Iraq.


In February 2004, passenger capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres, was
9.3 per cent above February 2003 and traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger
Kilometres, was higher by 7.1 per cent. This resulted in a passenger load factor
down 1.4 points versus last year, to 68.8 per cent.  The increase in traffic
comprised a 9.8 per cent increase in premium traffic and a 6.6 per cent increase
in non-premium traffic.   Cargo, measured in Cargo Tonne Kilometres, rose by
25.4 per cent.   Overall load factor rose 0.4 points to 66.8 per cent.


Market conditions


Market conditions are unchanged.  Longhaul premium volumes continue above last
year's levels, and shorthaul premium remains weak.  Non premium traffic volumes
remain very sensitive to yield.


Strategic Developments


British Airways reported a pre-tax profit of £125 million for the three months
to December 31, 2003 against a pre-tax profit of £25 million for the same period
last year.  The three month pre-tax figures took the results for the nine months
to a profit of £185 million (2002: £335 million profit).  Operating profit for
the quarter was £138 million (2002: £53 million).  For the nine months,
operating profit was £373 million (2002: £459 million).


British Airways announced the restructuring its call centre operation in the UK
in response to the growing number of customers who book flights on the airline's
website and the declining number of calls handled.  Telephone calls to the
airline's five call centres in the UK have fallen by 34 per cent in the last two
years from 13 million to 8.5 million per year as the popularity of the internet
continues to grow.  The airline has already reduced the number of staff employed
in its UK call centre operation from 2,300 in 2001 to 1,400 today.


British Airways added further US destinations to its network through its
codeshare arrangement with American Airlines, bringing the total number of
codeshare routes added to the British Airways network to 90.


British Airways announced the launch of wireless internet connections at 80 of
its main customer lounges around the world that will enable customers to have
broadband internet access.   BT will place the latest wireless technology around
the lounges which means customers can sit where they choose and still have
access to the Internet or their company's computer systems.


                                      ends


March 3, 2004
                                                   019/KG/04

                             TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS - February 2004...2

BRITISH AIRWAYS MONTHLY TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS

                                              Month of February                   Financial year to date
                                                                                  April through February
BRITISH AIRWAYS GROUP                                    Change                                    Change
SCHEDULED SERVICES                    2004       2003       (%)             2004        2003          (%)

Passengers carried (000)

UK/Europe                             1711       1727      -0.9            22397       22649         -1.1

Americas                               491        465      +5.6             6475        6123         +5.7

Asia Pacific                           129        113     +13.7             1344        1431         -6.1

Africa and Middle East                 247        220     +12.2             2579        2368         +8.9

Total                                 2578       2525      +2.1            32794       32572         +0.7

Revenue passenger km (m)

UK/Europe                             1420       1359      +4.5            18895       18270         +3.4

Americas                              3294       3159      +4.3            43267       41319         +4.7

Asia Pacific                          1337       1171     +14.1            14207       14645         -3.0

Africa and Middle East                1658       1510      +9.8            17293       16025         +7.9

Total                                 7709       7199      +7.1            93662       90257         +3.8


Available seat km (m)

UK/Europe                             2331       2179      +7.0            28305       27109         +4.4

Americas                              4900       4521      +8.4            57412       56372         +1.8

Asia Pacific                          1762       1566     +12.5            19492       18920         +3.0

Africa and Middle East                2208       1983     +11.3            23372       22501         +3.9

Total                                11202      10249      +9.3           128580      124902         +2.9

Passenger load factor (%)

UK/Europe                             60.9       62.4      -1.5 pts         66.8        67.4         -0.6 pts

Americas                              67.2       69.9      -2.7 pts         75.4        73.3         +2.1 pts

Asia Pacific                          75.9       74.8      +1.1 pts         72.9        77.4         -4.5 pts

Africa and Middle East                75.1       76.1      -1.0 pts         74.0        71.2         +2.8 pts

Total                                 68.8       70.2      -1.4 pts         72.8        72.3         +0.5 pts

Revenue tonne km (RTK) (m)

Cargo tonne km (CTK)                   405        323     +25.4             4049        3846         +5.3

Total RTK                             1172       1042     +12.4            13420       12887         +4.1

Available tonne km (m)                1754       1569     +11.8            19898       19250         +3.4

Overall load factor (%)               66.8       66.4      +0.4 pts         67.4        66.9         +0.5 pts

* Comparative numbers from 1 July 2002 have been adjusted to remove the impact
of dba following its disposal on 30 June 2003


Certain information included in this statement is forward-looking and involves
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those expressed or implied by the forward looking statements.


Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, projections relating to
results of operations and financial conditions and the Company's plans and
objectives for future operations, including, without limitation, discussions of
the Company's 'Future Size and Shape' programme, expected future revenues,
financing plans and expected expenditures and divestments.  All forward-looking
statements in this report are based upon information known to the Company on the
date of this report.  The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or
revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.


It is not reasonably possible to itemise all of the many factors and specific
events that could cause the Company's forward looking statements to be incorrect
or that could otherwise have a material adverse effect on the future operations
or results of an airline operating in the global economy.  Information on some
factors which could result in material difference to the results is available in
the Company's SEC filings, including, without limitation the Company's Report on
Form 20-F for the year ended March 2003.

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