Middle-earth's favourite airline?

In common with a number of other carriers, British Airways (once, according to its own advertising, "The World's Favourite Airline") has in the past year or so abandoned its traditional staid livery and begun decking out its fleet in more avant-garde designs.

In my opinion the change is welcome and certainly makes for more interesting and individuated aircraft. I particularly like the patterns based on tartan plaid, the huge red poppies and the Celtic knot work. Not that they all work so well, though I have yet to personally encounter the infamous "Fish & Chips" design.

Rather more to my taste - if I may be pardoned the pun - though no doubt destined to raise hackles in Tolkienist quarters is BA's latest tail design, shown here adorning a Boeing 737-200 Advanced, in a photo culled from Aircraft Illustrated.

Immediately recognisable as the heraldic device of Luthien Tinuviel the design is apparently (and unforgivably) called "Fairy Tail". Name aside, for me it "works" really well. Although reproduced rather poorly here the design is striking in a range of mid-greens (tones seem greener than on the Silmarillion cover).

Forget the "Last Train to Arnor" - this is the only way to travel!

First published in Reunion issue 9, June 1998