BA names 747 to bring home team GB and her name is victoRIOus

British Airways (BA) has unveiled the aircraft that will fly Team GB back from the 2016 Olympics in Rio, and its got a golden nose!

The Boeing 747-400 G-CIVA, which is maintained at British Airways Maintenance Cardiff (BAMC), was unveiled by BA yesterday and bears the name “victoRIOus” following a public vote.

It’s nose is painted Gold to reflect the success of Team GB who bagged a record haul of Gold, Silver and Bronze medals and finished 2nd overall in the medals table, beating China into 3rd place,

The aircraft will be used to fly Team GB back from Rio and also used for the GB Paralympics team.

Team GB depart on flight BA2016 from Rio on Monday August 22 and land into Heathrow Terminal 5 on Tuesday August 23 at 9.55am.

British Airways CEO Alex Cruz said “We’re excited to be bringing the athletes home ‘happy and glorious’ following the Games! victoRIOus is a very fitting name, reflecting the great pride we have for our sporting heroes, and is a great play on words too”