FORM 6-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

Report of Foreign Issuer

Furnished Pursuant to Rule 13a - 16 or 15d - 16 of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the period ending 4 August 2004

BRITISH AIRWAYS Plc

Waterside HBA3, PO Box 365, Harmondsworth UB7 0GB

CONTENTS

July Traffic and Capacity Statistics

4 August 2004

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorised.

BRITISH AIRWAYS Plc

Date:

4 August 2004

Sarah Billington

Manager Shareholder Services

TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS - July 2004

Summary of the headline figures

In July 2004, passenger capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres, was 3.7 per cent above July 2003 and traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometres, was higher by 8.3 per cent. This resulted in a passenger load factor up 3.3 points versus last year, to 79.7 per cent. The increase in traffic comprised a 9.7 per cent increase in premium traffic and a 8.1 per cent increase in non-premium traffic. Cargo, measured in Cargo Tonne Kilometres, rose by 25.7 per cent. Overall load factor rose by 4.7 points to 72.6 per cent. The statistics are distorted by the unofficial strike action, which reduced both Available Seat Kilometres and Revenue Passenger Kilometres by some 2 percentage points in July 2003.

Market conditions

Market conditions remain unchanged. Longhaul premium volumes are recovering steadily, while shorthaul premium travel remains at lower levels. Non-premium volumes are very price-sensitive.

Strategic Developments

British Airways' annual Social and Environmental report was published and showed that during the last five years, the airline's aircraft noise levels had halved, global carbon dioxide emissions were down by 15 per cent and nitrogen dioxide emissions at Heathrow were down by 13 per cent. Fuel efficiency had improved by 25 per cent since 1990.

British Airways is the only airline participating in the government's trial emissions trading scheme and has reduced its domestic carbon dioxide emissions by 17 per cent, compared to a1998-2000 baseline.

A record number of British Airways' customers last month checked-in online - with more than 100,000 checking in from the comfort of their own home. By visiting ba.com customers can spend a couple of minutes checking in and then use an interactive seat map of the aircraft to choose their seats.

British Airways announced an Employee Reward Plan so that all staff can benefit from the airline's future success.

Notice of ballots for industrial action over pay have been received from the TGWU representing ground support services staff and from the TGWU and GMB covering administration and terminal staff. The company has offered a rise in pensionable pay over three years of some 8.5 per cent or some 10.5% increase in non-pensionable pay. Earlier today British Airways proposed to the unions that the issue be settled by formal binding arbitration.

August 4, 2004

BRITISH AIRWAYS MONTHLY TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS

Month of July

Financial year to date

April through July

BRITISH AIRWAYS GROUP

Change

SCHEDULED SERVICES

2004

2003

(%)

2004

2003

(%)

Passengers carried (000)

UK/Europe

2311

2258

+2.3

8541

8491

+0.6

Americas

683

651

+5.1

2603

2464

+5.6

Asia Pacific

148

127

+17.0

533

399

+33.5

Africa and Middle East

263

235

+12.1

971

842

+15.3

Total

3406

3270

+4.1

12648

12196

+3.7

Revenue passenger km (m)

UK/Europe

2112

1972

+7.1

7661

7278

+5.3

Americas

4577

4338

+5.5

17384

16490

+5.4

Asia Pacific

1521

1345

+13.1

5489

4310

+27.3

Africa and Middle East

1742

1537

+13.3

6444

5662

+13.8

Total

9952

9191

+8.3

36978

33740

+9.6

Available seat km (m)

UK/Europe

2757

2655

+3.8

10599

10314

+2.8

Americas

5471

5468

+0.1

21387

21051

+1.6

Asia Pacific

2004

1847

+8.5

7691

6693

+14.9

Africa and Middle East

2248

2067

+8.8

8872

7998

+10.9

Total

12481

12037

+3.7

48549

46056

+5.4

Passenger load factor (%)

UK/Europe

76.6

74.3

+2.3

pts

72.3

70.6

+1.7

pts

Americas

83.7

79.3

+4.4

pts

81.3

78.3

+3.0

pts

Asia Pacific

75.9

72.8

+3.1

pts

71.4

64.4

+7.0

pts

Africa and Middle East

77.5

74.4

+3.1

pts

72.6

70.8

+1.8

pts

Total

79.7

76.4

+3.3

pts

76.2

73.3

+2.9

pts

Revenue tonne km (RTK) (m)

Cargo tonne km (CTK)

419

333

+25.7

1630

1387

+17.5

Total RTK

1413

1254

+12.7

5312

4758

+11.6

Available tonne km (m)

1946

1846

+5.4

7588

7062

+7.5

Overall load factor (%)

72.6

67.9

+4.7

pts

70.0

67.4

+2.6

pts

Certain statements included in this statement may be forward-looking and may involve 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 business and financing plans, expected future revenues and 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.

Investor Relations

Waterside (HCB3)

PO Box 365

Harmondsworth

UB7 OGB

Tel: +44 (0) 20 8738 6947

Fax: +44( 0) 20 8738 9602