British Airways has teamed up with upmarket suitcase brand Globe-Trotter to create a limited range of carry-on cases inspired by the airline’s former guise as the British Overseas Airways Corporation that will retail for nearly £2,000. Only 150 suitcases will be made and each includes a “precious fragment” from a retired British Airways Boeing 747 aircraft.
Two of the suitcases, which were the only ‘passengers’ onboard the very last British Airways 747 flight from London Heathrow to the airline’s engineering base in Cardiff, will also be auctioned off to help raise money for BA’s Flying Start charity. Bids for the collector’s item cases will start at £2,000.
“While it was the right time to bid farewell to our Queen of the Skies, the launch of these BOAC-inspired carry-on suitcases provides a perfect opportunity for someone to celebrate a bygone era of global air travel and own a piece of our history,” explained Hamish McVey, BA’s head of brand and marketing.
“We are thrilled to be working with Globe-Trotter to create this very special product, and through this unique auction raise money for vital Comic Relief projects across the UK and overseas,” he continued.
Luxury suitcase manufacturer Globe-Trotter has a history going back more than 120 years and is favoured by the likes of Queen Elizabeth II, Daniel Craig and Kate Moss. In the 1960s, Globe-Trotter was also the luggage of choice for BOAC cabin crew.
Each handcrafted case is made out of high gloss vulcanised fibreboard with a metallic sheen for a pearlescent white shimmer at Globe-Trotter’s headquarters in Hertfordshire, England. The cases come with navy leather trim on the corners and handle, as well as a handpainted gold Speedbird insignia.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic decimated the aviation industry, a number of airlines have started to licence their brands to a wide range of products in an effort to turn some much-needed revenue. Australian flag carrier Qantas has possibly gone the furthest, creating a range of luxe athleisure wear, as well as flogging off unneeded bar carts and amenity kits.
In November, British Airways also sold off unneeded cutlery, crockery and glasses normally used in its First and Business Class cabins. British Airways has been serving meals in cardboard boxes and using plastic cutlery and tumblers as a pandemic-related safety measure but the airline plans to bring back real crockery by the end of this month.
