Holding in Company

British Airways PLC
16 October 2001



LETTER TO BRITISH AIRWAYS PLC
Letter dated 15 October 2001



SECTION 198 NOTIFICATION 
Notification of Increase

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 S.A., 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 (1,082,741,272 shares outstanding) 

Number of shares in which the Companies have an interest:

119,324,178 

Name(s) of registered holder(s):

See Schedule B

LETTER FROM CAPITAL GROUP COMPANIES, INC.


 
As of 15 October 2001 
British Airways plc
                                                       Number of   Percent of   
                                                          Shares   Outstanding

The Capital Group Companies, Inc. ('CG') holdings    119,324,178     11.02%
Holdings by CG Management Companies and Funds:       


Capital Guardian Trust Company                        23,711,878      2.19%
Capital International Limited                          7,412,800      0.68%
Capital International S.A.                             3,357,600      0.31%
Capital International, Inc.                               30,000      0.00%
Capital Research and Management Company               84,811,900      7.83%
 Europacific Growth Fund                              35,972,200      3.32%
 
                                    Schedule A


                Schedule of holdings in British Airways plc 
                            As of 15 October 2001

                   Capital Guardian Trust Company
 
Registered Name                                   Local Shares


State Street Nominees Limited                        4,025,900

Bank of New York Nominees                              363,800
 
Chase Nominees Limited                               9,936,800

BT Globenet Nominees Ltd.                              152,000

Midland Bank plc                                     4,122,100

Bankers Trust                                        1,684,978

Barclays Bank                                          874,000
 
Nortrust Nominees                                    2,426,800

Royal Bank of Scotland                                  18,500

Citibank NA                                             41,000

Mellon Nominees (UK) Limited                            66,000
 
                                         TOTAL      23,711,878

                              Schedule B



 
                    Capital International Limited

Registered Name                                   Local Shares 
 
State Street Nominees Limited                          644,000

Bank of New York Nominees                              902,500

Chase Nominees Limited                               2,120,700

Midland Bank plc                                        64,900

Bankers Trust                                        1,163,400
                                                 
Barclays Bank                                          129,600
                                                  
Citibank London                                        120,600
                                                  
Morgan Guaranty                                        137,100

Nortrust Nominees                                    1,123,900

Royal Bank of Scotland                                  65,400

MSS Nominees Limited                                   235,000

State Street Bank & Trust Co.                          119,900

Lloyds Bank                                             84,500

Vidacos Nominees Ltd.                                   43,800

Citibank NA                                            120,600

Deutsche Bank AG                                       119,600

HSBC Bank plc                                          104,800

KAS UK                                                  44,500

Bank One London                                         68,000
 
                                          TOTAL      7,412,800
                             Schedule B


 
                      Capital International S.A.

Registered Name                                   Local Shares  

State Street Nominees Limited                           41,000

Chase Nominees Limited                               1,586,400

Midland Bank plc                                       513,600

Barclays Bank                                          178,900

Nortrust Nominees                                       57,100

Morgan Stanley                                          36,500
 
Royal Bank of Scotland                                 251,200

National Westminster Bank                              233,900

Lloyds Bank                                             26,900

RBSTB Nominees Ltd.                                     30,000

Deutsche Bank AG                                       195,300

HSBC Bank plc                                          206,800

                                            TOTAL    3,357,600
                         Schedule B


                   Capital International, Inc.

Registered Name                                   Local Shares   

Bank of New York Nominees                               30,000
 
                                            TOTAL       30,000
                        Schedule B

           Capital Research and Management Company
 

Registered Name                                   Local Shares   


State Street Nominees Limited                        2,875,700

Chase Nominees Limited                              81,772,200

Cede & Co.                                             164,000
 
                                          TOTAL     84,811,900
                       Schedule B