Re: 1989 British Airways Commercial

[perezster]

A piece for the annals of tv commercials, BA has eye and mind capturing commercial. British Airways has always been my favorite airline since I flew them for the first time in March 1992. I've had the opportunity to fly them many times and I will continue. Thanks for sharing this ad on YouTube.

[cupcakefairy87]

I'm sorry, but the face at one point looks a bit like Margaret Thatcher...or is it just me?

[seidoger]

@cupcakefairy87 Haha

[rizuan76]

I remember being mesmerized by this ad whenever it appears on tv...

[ciuffex]

The ear didn't fit with the final transformation in the earth. Cut. 

[zurick1]

Probably one ove the best add ever create!!!!

[sauravg]

I used to simply love this commercial :-) I was in school then, and I used to watch TV at certain times just to see this ad...

[grooverheliboy]

British Advets = BEST IN THE WORLD !!

[jessicana77]

I remember this back in '89, I'm an Aussie and I thought this ad was great!

[TheClairei]

Never noticed how American this ad is - cheerleaders, dancing loonies with white teeth, the cheesy airline pilot. Think someone was watching too many Coke ads!

[char1737]

i call the British Airways 800 number when this was popular and asked them to put me on hold just to hear the song!

[drvenom12]

I was in high school when this was filmed. In fact, I was part of the right eye when you are looking at the whole face on the white background. There were a few hundred of us out there for that shot.

[ttrjw]

@JChow7a - the noise is jet roar plus an effect. It is an iarline after all...

[Ansaryon]

@ttrjw The noise is actually the sound of Concorde breaking the sound barrier - it was BA's signature sound effect back then.

[JChow7a]

That's the first BA ad I'd ever saw in my life but the ending around @1:27 scared the shit out of when I was very little. LOL...sounds like an explosion or thunder. XD

[trealoo33]

I know that this might sound stupid but my cheeks are wet..

[chrismcgenius]

I Love It, Nice Song For British Airways

[torresjroberto]

Can somebody translate the dialog to Spanish? Please, thanks :)

[Derek316]

@torresjroberto En Inglés: Every year, the world's favourite airline brings 24 million people together... En español: Cada año, del mundo aerolínea favorita aporta 24 millones de personas juntos ...

[Derek316]

@torresjroberto En Inglés: Every year, the world's favourite airline brings 24 million people together... En español: Cada año, del mundo aerolínea favorita aporta 24 millones de personas juntos ...

[phillipisagleek]

OMG i have loved this video for ages it's so awesome..They certainly don't make adverts like they used to :)

[seatgurus]

I flew the world favorite airlines when it was .... 1989 and 1992 with my grandfather. Thanks for the memories.

[RLKP1]

Hugh Hudson is very clever - compare this with the original BA Advert with the same story line.

[martybhoy72]

Why didn't the ear join the head?

[TrueCourse]

Agreed, Antsun. Truly a beautiful creation. The blending of Aria and the beautiful scenery of place and people brings awe and inspiration. Thanks very much for sharing :)

[raquiza08]

The "Ear" Is Still Missing?! Anyone With Information Can Contact Your Local Authorities. Thank You.

[WesthamMr]

wat movie was this song in ????? any movie??

[jprc03]

So much of this was filmed out in the Utah Desert and National Parks

[Prolife29]

OMG I'VE BEEN LOOKING EVERYWHERE FOR THIS!!!!!!!!

[usemeifyoucan]

Commercial sung by "Monalisa Young". She performed it for the Dare to Dream CD by Yanni also.

[adammark1983]

This commerical made me cry

[nyr1994]

1:29....goosebumps!!

[MsClitia]

Lollerskates at BA.

Where is your concorde now.

Only the British could fuk up the concorde.

[theredraven]

@MsClitia Concorde's demise was due to the French not willing to spend the money keeping it flying.

[skincub]

@MsClitia that would be the french halfwit...

[Eman170]

Just lovely!

[winniethechan]

兒時有印象的廣告

[babydylan08]

i was 2 when this came out and i remember it

[ttimothymurphy]

@babydylan08

maybe you remember it because you just watched it on youtube.

[babydylan08]

@ttimothymurphy so funny

[Rushynet]

Play this loud at 12:00 today to remember Malcolm!

[WestAucksNZ]

cool add......

Fly Virgin......enjoy the difference...

[MarcusLeepapi]

I still love this ad...

[Aquabroad]

@MarcusLeepapi Hi Marcus, think I still have the full version of this on video somewhere in all of my "crap", with the story of how they accomplished all of this. I do remember it was amazing how they choreographed it all. Made me proud to work for BA when I saw this -- those were the days when there was really innovative advertising and the best of it was -- they really meant it when they said Customer Service First. Good Luck with the airlines. Marion

[MarcusLeepapi]

@Aquabroad Thank yo uso much for your comment... I have three friends who fly for British Airways..... I meant them when I was there in London back in 2007. We stay in contact. One friend Edward, was here in Chicago for the last several days. We had lunch this passed Sunday. That volcano in Iceland has caused so many problems for flying... Thanks again...

[Spergematic]

The music was composed by Malcolm McLaren, who died today. RIP.

[KCH2010]

At the time this advert made me proud to be British !

[djinstructor]

Fantastic days, lets hope the striking idiots don't wreck this for ever!

[antonliverpool]

This was the most expensive commercial ever made at the time costing £1 million. Was produced by Saatchi & Saatchi in the days before graphic effects. Every person in the advertisement had to be radio guided into position and the filming took 6 weeks.

p.s BA passenger numbers peaked that year 180%

pps..., American Airlines tried that same format post 9/11

[doctorcd]

Originally Lakme by Delibes , but performed by Yanni termed "Aria".

[lauramounsey]

Fantastic I remember this ad very well, one of my friends loves it so much this is the best BA advert ever made

[kisbie]

Especially considering the theme of this ad, I can't think of a better tune for the BBC's coverage of the 2012 Olympics.

[yeltzfan0102]

BBC Grandstand theme??? I agree a very good theme, would be my second choise! Just hope some 'arty farty' type doesn't get hold of composing the theme and trying to reflect on the 'multicultural diversity' of London!

[kisbie]

@yeltzfan0102 When a major sporting event is in Europe, the BBC always goes for 'arty farty' themes. (When it's outside of Europe, it generally tries to have a more modern take, though still arty in a sense.)

You're at least 20 years too late - Nessun Dorma, Ode To Joy, Barcelona, Pavane, etc. What was wrong with that? Remember what Eric Cantona said, sport is an art too.

[kisbie]

@yeltzfan0102 Sorry, just noticed you did say this was your second choice. So you're not totally against 'arty farty'. My suggestion of this is down to the fact that it is British (well this composition is), and is already an anthem for Britain providing an opportunity for all world cultures to unite under one banner. (BA, 2012 Olympics).

I'm imagining shots of London and the English countryside with superimposed images of iconic Olympic moments and this tune. Nothing too gimmicky.

[009VIP]

Name of the song please!!!

[TVBolsward]

Aria on air by Malcom Mclaren

[009VIP]

Thanks! ☺

[EulenspiegelTV]

Superschöne Musik, Top Dance Performance, thanks for sharing!

[stegatops]

Best commercial of all time.............no contest! They just dont make them like this anymore!! This was made by someone who cares.

[petrobear]

the wonderful music of yanni and amazing video

[MusiqueMonAmour]

I am working on making a sensible collection of my Favourites, of music that moved me & meant something to me through the years.

I am stil mining in my brain as in a diamong-mine. A few days ago I thought about this beautiful, simply unforgettable BA commercial that haunted me all these years!!

I wasn't sure I would find it on YT to add it to my favourites.

But here it is!

I was so nicely surprised that I am not the only one to love it!

I understood that beauty, like truth, will survive!

[SpiritualBeing100]

I'm 61 years old and this is without doubt one of the best commercials I have ever seen -- it gives me goose bumps because it's so beautiful. Thanks for enabling me to watch it again (and again and again...) Love and peace

[balunbustingbear]

Still one of the best adverts of our time. No one has yet surpassed this. I too saw it when it first came out and it has been forever imprinted in my brain. Whenever I hear the duet from Delieb's Lakmé I automatically think of this advert. In fact, one of my coworkers heard the duet on a classical music radio station and automatically said "oh, that's the BA ad from years ago". Now that's advertising!!

[origin8]

I remember these ads when BA used to service Auckland. They code share with QF now under One World. Im with Star so never got to fly with them. The BA ads were always great though.

[beanbaguk]

All this was before stupid political correctness. We were allowed to wave our flag in pride and it shows British Airways at its prime.

[gaz141]

hear hear

[michaelchs]

@beanbaguk I don't quite understand. British are not allowed to wave the Union Jack in pride because of political correctness?

[Jellyform]

@beanbaguk WTF are you talking about? The Union Flag is still the logo of British Airways and there are no rules saying you cant wave it. Stop spreading bullshit to try and stir up racial hatred.

[beanbaguk]

@Jellyform You moron! Use a dictionary to understand the meaning of racism. There is nothing racist in my comments. Just a protest against PC idiots like Harriet Harman who seem to have a vendetta against national pride. There is nothing wrong with stating this.

[Jellyform]

@beanbaguk How ironic you say I don't understand your comment when you clearly failed to understand mine. Where exactly did I say your comment was racist? That's right, I didn't! II said its stirring up racial hatred not that its racist itself. Blaming non existent laws against flag waving on political correctness infers its done to appease foreigners and in turn incites racial hatred. Its a tactic The Daily Mail excels in.

[selfelin]

@beanbaguk the british flag is a travesty - wales is not even included on it - so the jack can be flown upside down and on fire for all i care

[grooverheliboy]

@selfelin And where on the welsh flag is england you fucking sheep shagger..you cunts make me sick going on and on about independence then crying like babies cos your not included on a flag.

welsh ppl make me fucking vomit.

[selfelin]

@grooverheliboy fukin ace!!! u make me smile every time with the old one liner "sheep shagger" fukin classic!!!!

[nofrontiersoul]

It is no silly at all ripmowt. I saw this advert in 1991 when I was 24 on a flight from London to Buenos Aires (transit Pisa Airport-Buenos Aires). I kept this music and images in my memory for 18 years. Now I find this again and bring tears to my eyes. It is so fresh and human. Hope to know UK some day. Anyhow it makes me feel better that lot of people around the world, no matter citizenship, want a peacefull place to live, although is impossible. Hugs...

[ripmowt]

this is gonna sound silly but this made me cry- i would think why cant the world live like that.i was a kid then-reality bites lol

[coeurfleur]

no, you don't sound silly at all...i love this song as much now as i did all those years ago when it first came out. brilliant ad...makes me remember my childhood and wish for a better world too!

[abracadabra295]

where did the ear go?

[MercedesCars454]

thats what I was thinking

[TheMCEurope]

think the ear would look a wee bit odd with ears stuck on it lol :)

[erlock21]

its british airways ..they always lose something

[abracadabra295]

Lol! So true!

[coeurfleur]

so true...yet so funny ;)

[SammyFinches]

@abracadabra295 Seat no# FU

[leonel1982]

@abracadabra295 OH GOD THEY'RE STILL IN UTAH!

[anononomous]

@abracadabra295 The ear's flight was delayed by industrial action so they didn't make it into the final shot.

[yamumishot2001]

@abracadabra295 They missed ther flight! LOL

[headley62]

Creepy shit. British Airways sucks.

[LANbritain]

i love the plane sound at the end :)

[qwertdr]

No ordinary aeroplane, thier flagship, Concorde.

[YotJoey]

I saw this ad when I was like 5 years old...... Long time

[LANbritain]

one of the greatest ads ever made.....

[Parrish2250181]

BA in the good old days......

[Etienne618]

I have seen this. But I wish I can see the one singing "Song for Liberty" too.

Anyway, thanks for posting it on.

[irishbogans]

we never got this commercial in Australia. At least I cant remember it.

[OhNoItIsNathan]

This ad definitely aired in Australia, I remember it.

[1YOTC]

This advert is all wrong. Black people can not afford to fly.

[jokijarvi]

unfortunately you're right - alot of people could not afford to fly, also alot of people could not access other countries because of some restrictions, actually the reality is not as happy and blue-eyed as this commercial tries to imply

[daslzzamann]

I hope your black. Cause if your not, your mother can't afford to fly.

[daslzzamann]

Then again, who cares what your race is, Your mother Still can't afford to fly.

[AUSSIELOVER555]

fly this airline with gratitude and dream...cos' they're the best...british airways...the univers favourite airline.

[babyleanne238434]

very artistic and imaginative adverts.must have been aged around 5 or 6 at the time and found them quite scary and also made me hope that one day my parents would take me on a plane to some far flung destination.They did-but not with BA!gutted!

[haydencowper]

Oh my gosh....I have been googling for this advert for days! so love the song on this! Awesome ad too!

[dubkat]

The Most Famous Face in the World

[bluenotejazz]

British Airways always had the wickedest extravagant expensive commercials back in the days. I thought this was so cool when it came out

[gunner1488]

It was the worlds most unfavorite arirline to me when I glew from Gatwich to Amsterdam. I stil never got an aology and an excuse for their rudeness.

Never again. spring 2006

[mom2bodie]

I was part of this!!! I was part of the "missing" ear!!! ;) it was fun to be a part of this...I'm glad I came across this on here!!

[markupolo]

Really a shame...BA has been classified as one of the worse Airlines in Europe...the spirit is here,the airline is the same but the Management wants it to be like Easyjet,etc.

Come on BA...we hope you all the best,but learn from the past and listen to your passengers please!!!

Great Ad,it makes us dream of a perfect Airline!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[beeba77]

Judy Chabola choreographed this amazing commercial. She was an amazing talent. She died of breast cancer in the late 90s and is terribly missed.

[woody091953]

Still a great ad even after all these years , shame the airline doesn't match up these days ..Thanks to cost cutting and Mr walsh , poor staff they need to be cosseted not dumped

[kberly999]

The ear was done by my high school alumna in Utah!

[igor123simonov]

very good advert! like it a lot

[rockyprospect]

loved it so much when it came out, we popped corks when the commentator said "together"; still say together under my breath when i open wine

[andrewnottmuk]

Try this link to see an updated/similiar less extravagant BA commercial for "Silverjet" it features the making of the "Silverjet" advert and the creator of the original BA "Face" advert, ad the ad is shown in full as well...

NOTE this is not a BA ADVERT!!! but fans of the "Face" ad might like this (or might not), best not to compare.

[ZedCyborg]

Anyone know the name of the song they used ?

[ellis87]

Aria by Yanni

[danielmistral]

thank you, sos un amor hace 15 años que quiero saber de quien era esta cancion muchisimas gracias

[cleric727]

The song is called "Aria on Air"

[Wilo18877]

I so loved this ad i was about 11/12 when it came out and was just so enthralled that they could make it wink at the end.

[LNERK361983]

I've actually seen a TV programme a few years back where they showed you how they made this classic ad!

[LNERK361983]

This is one of my favourite ads of all time! I always insisted on having this turned up when we watched TV. Nowadays such ads would be done on computer.

[zoecf]

I always wondered what happened to the ear. Is it still walking around somewhere in the wilderness?

[anshumanwashere]

hahahahhaha... brilliant attention to detail...yeah the poor ol ear!

[StapledNote]

Poor ear!