October traffic statistics

British Airways PLC
05 November 2003



TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS - October 2003

Summary of the headline figures

In October 2003, passenger capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres, was
4.2 per cent above October 2002 and traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger
Kilometres, was higher by 3.9 per cent.  This resulted in a passenger load
factor down 0.2 points versus last year, to 73.0 per cent.  The increase in
traffic comprised a 3.4 per cent increase in premium traffic and a 4.0 per cent
increase in non-premium traffic.  Cargo, measured in Cargo Tonne Kilometres,
rose by 7.3 per cent.  Overall load factor fell 0.6 points to 68.2 per cent

Market conditions

In total, market conditions seen over the last few months point to a more stable
outlook for revenue.   Traffic volumes continue to be sensitive to yield.
Premium traffic remains under pressure despite some improvement in longhaul.

Strategic Developments

British Airways and Swiss International Air Lines began codesharing on each
other's services between London Heathrow, Geneva and Zurich.

Concorde made its last commercial flight.  British Airways then announced the
locations for the retirement of the seven Concordes which include Airbus UK,
Filton Bristol; Manchester Airport Museum of Flight; National Museum of
Scotland, near Edinburgh; Heathrow Airport; The Museum of Flight, Seattle; US
The Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, New York, US; and Grantley Adams
Airport, Bridgetown, Barbados.

British Airways introduced the award-winning Club World flat bed as well as
World Traveller Plus, its premier economy cabin, on services from London Gatwick
to Houston, Dallas and Bermuda operated by Boeing 777s.  Other services will
follow.

A major programme of British Airways flight switches between Heathrow terminals
begins with the transfer of two British Airways long haul destinations from
Terminal 4 to Terminal 1.  The full programme of flight switches will be phased
over the next six months.



                                      ends

November 5, 2003                                     149/CW/03



                          BRITISH AIRWAYS MONTHLY TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS

                             Month of October                           Financial year to date
                                                                        April through October

BRITISH AIRWAYS GROUP                                Change                                     Change
SCHEDULED SERVICES               2003        2002       (%)                 2003        2002       (%)

Passengers carried (000)
UK/Europe                        2079        2131      -2.4                15655       15741      -0.5
Americas                          586         569      +3.0                 4289        4062      +5.6
Asia Pacific                      138         139      -0.5                  809         933     -13.4
Africa and Middle East            239         213     +12.4                 1568        1462      +7.2
Total                            3042        3051      -0.3                22320       22198      +0.5

Revenue passenger km (m)
UK/Europe                        1831        1741      +5.2                13278       12777      +3.9
Americas                         3861        3825      +0.9                28666       27355      +4.8
Asia Pacific                     1448        1398      +3.6                 8621        9512      -9.4
Africa and Middle East           1608        1455     +10.6                10489        9760      +7.5
Total                            8748        8419      +3.9                61054       59404      +2.8

Available seat km (m)
UK/Europe                        2645        2524      +4.8                18839       18011      +4.6
Americas                         5288        5183      +2.0                37193       36666      +1.4
Asia Pacific                     1871        1775      +5.4                12174       12144      +0.2
Africa and Middle East           2185        2025      +7.9                14298       13975      +2.3
Total                           11988       11507      +4.2                82503       80796      +2.1

Passenger load factor (%)
UK/Europe                        69.2        69.0      +0.2 pts             70.5        70.9      -0.4 pts
Americas                         73.0        73.8      -0.8 pts             77.1        74.6      +2.5 pts
Asia Pacific                     77.4        78.8      -1.4 pts             70.8        78.3      -7.5 pts
Africa and Middle East           73.6        71.8      +1.8 pts             73.4        69.8      +3.6 pts
Total                            73.0        73.2      -0.2 pts             74.0        73.5      +0.5 pts

Revenue tonne km (RTK) (m)
Cargo tonne km (CTK)              404         376      +7.3                 2497        2480      +0.7
Total RTK                        1275        1215      +5.0                 8598        8415      +2.2
Available tonne km (m)           1871        1766      +6.0                12691       12437      +2.0

Overall load factor (%)          68.2        68.8      -0.6 pts             67.7        67.7      +0.0 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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