Holding in Company

British Airways PLC
21 December 2000


Date: 19 December 2000

                            SECTION 198 NOTIFICATION
                            Notification of Decrease

This Notice is given by The Capital Group Companies, Inc. on behalf of its
affiliates, including Capital Guardian Trust Company, Capital International
Limited, Capital International, Inc., and Capital Research and Management
Company, pursuant to Section 198 of the Companies Act 1985.

The interest in the relevant share capital indicated below arises by virtue of
holdings attributed to the Companies (see Schedule A). These holdings form part
of funds managed on behalf of investment clients by the Companies.

Share capital to which this relates:

     Ordinary Shares (1,082,372,611 shares outstanding)

Number of shares in which the Companies have an interest:

     53,596,274

Name(s) of registered holder(s):

     See Schedule B


As of 19 December 2000

British Airways plc

                                                 Number of        Percent of
                                                    Shares      Outstanding

The Capital Group Companies, Inc.
('CW') holdings                                 53,596,274             4.95%

Holdings by CG Management Companies and
Funds:

* Capital Guardian Trust Company                 5,755,313             0.53%

* Capital International Limited                    658,305             0.06%

* Capital International, Inc,                     1,982,656            0.18%

* Capital Research and Management Company       45,200,000             4.18%

Schedule A




                  Schedule of holdings in British Airways plc
                             As of 19 December 2000

                       Capital Guardian Trust Company

Registered Name                                                 Local Shares

State Street Nominees Limited                                      1,035,700

Bank of New York Nominees                                            133,800

Chase Nominees Limited                                             2,258,513

BT Globenet Nominees Ltd.                                             19,900

Midland Bank plc                                                   1,104,900

Bankers Trust                                                        305,400

Barclays Bank                                                        180,400

Citibank London                                                       52,000


                               Schedule B
                               Page 1 of 5

Nortrust Nominees                                                   651,700

Royal Bank of Scotland                                                2,100

Citibank NA                                                          10,900

                                                         TOTAL    5,755,313

                                   Schedule B
                                   Page 2 of 5
             
                         Capital International Inc.

Registered Name                                                Local Shares

State Street Nominees Limited                                       329,462

Bank of New York Nominees                                            94,508

Chase Nominees Limited                                               67,005

Bankers Trust                                                        68,291

Nortrust Nominees                                                    67,039

Citibank                                                             32,000


                                                 TOTAL              658,305


                                Schedule B
                                Page 3 of 5


                       Capital International, Inc.

Registered Name                                                Local Shares

State Street Nominees Limited                                       782,455

Bank of New York Nominees                                            83,704

Chase Nominees Limited                                            1,057,999

Deutsche Bank Mannheim                                               40,498

Citibank NA                                                          18,000

                                                TOTAL             1,982,656




                                Schedule B
                                Page 4 of 5


                 Capital Research and Management Company


Registered Name                                                Local Shares

State Street Nominees Limited                                       400,000

Chase Nominees Limited                                           44,800,000


                                               TOTAL             45,200,000





                                Schedule B
                                Page 5 of 5