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Big hair, shoulder pads and shell suits. A lot of things have changed since the Eighties - including the way we travel.

To mark the 25th anniversary year of the inaugural flight of its first Boeing 747-400, British Airways is taking a peek back to 1989.

From the meals served on board, and the movies passengers would have been watching, to the prices paid for air fare, and what the cabin crew would have been wearing, it's a glimpse at what it was like to fly in the Eighties.

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Today's uniform: BA cabin crew look smart in their designer outfits themed in red, white and blue

Mid-length skirts and over-sized jackets: British Airways cabin crew uniform looked very different in 1989

Now boasting the world's biggest fleet of Boeing 747 with 50, BA calls the planes the 'backbone of our long-haul flights' and 'instantly recognisable around the world'.

Back in 1989, the plane was introduced to much fanfare. 

Retired Captain Dacre Watson was the first BA pilot to fly the new Boeing 747 from the US to the UK.

The 70-year-old, who now lives in Gloucestershire, said he has fond memories of that ground-breaking first commercial flight, from Philadelphia to Heathrow on July 28, 1989.

'I was just asked to fly it on that day and I said yes. I think it may just have been the luck of my roster,' he reveals. 

Take off! With 50, British Airways boasts the largest fleet of Boeing 747-400s

How it was back then: The Boeing 747-400 in British Airways Landor livery, in 1989

'The plane was brand new and it was fantastic. We had a very memorable inaugural day with lots of press on board who were very interested in it. 

'The 747-400 was a very versatile aircraft to fly. It was wonderful; a gentleman's aeroplane.

'It was the nicest aeroplane I have flown in my life. It was built by pilots for pilots.'

When Watson was at the controls, passengers could expect an entirely different experience on board - including how much they would be paying for their tickets. 

In 1989, a fare for an economy flight from London to New York's JFK in World Traveller would have set holidaymakers back £257 - compared to today's price of £399. 

TV advert nostalgia from British Airways in 1983

'A gentleman's plane': Captain Dacre Watson was the first BA pilot to fly the Boeing 747 from the US to the UK

'IT WAS A GENTLEMAN'S PLANE': FIRST PILOT TO FLY BA'S NEW 747 

First flight: Dacre Watson in BA's 747 in 1989

Captain Dacre Watson, the first British Airways pilot to fly the Boeing 747 from the US to the UK, learned to fly at 17 in a de Havilland Tiger Moth in 1961, thanks to an RAF Flying Scholarship while still at school.

Upon joining the BEA/BOAC College of Air Training at Hamble in Hampshire, he began his career at British European Airways (BEA) flying Vickers Vanguards, Viscounts and Trident aircraft.

After becoming a skipper in 1974, he flew a variety of aircraft before moving to the older Boeing 747-100 and -200 'classic' from 1986 to 1989 before flying the new generation 747-400s flown by British Airways today.

As well as the flying the first 747-400 out of the US, Captain Watson also went on to be the first British Airways pilot to fly the -400 to destinations in South America, including Buenos Aires, Santiago and Rio de Janeiro.

Now fully retired and living in Gloucestershire, he takes to the air in his own private four-seater plane, a 61-year-old vintage Piper Tripacer.

Mr Watson called the 747 a 'gentleman's plane', adding: 'I never did manage to fly any of the new aircraft, nor have I flown in them. 

'However, I'm a strong believer in progress so I won't lament the passing of the 747, though I loved the aeroplane. It was the nicest aeroplane I have flown in my life. It was built by pilots for pilots.'

Flying Club World (Business), the same trip would have had a £1,638 price tag, compared to £2,321 today.

And first class passengers would have been forking out £3,150 for their transatlantic trip, which has rise by more than 50 per cent to 2014's £6,389.

Once on board, passengers would have been greeted by a very differently dressed BA staff than they would be today.

The BA uniform has come a long way. Back in 1989, the women had a choice between wearing red, white and blue-striped shirt - complete with a black belt around the waist - and grey trousers or over-the-knee skirt, along with a royal navy blue jacket.

Or they could opt for a striped dress - along with a long jacket, and a blue hat. They also wore black shoes - either block or stiletto heels.

For the men, it was the red, white and blue-striped tie, grey trousers and a navy jacket. And the pilot, of course, wore a blue cap.

And relax: The first class lower deck - with passengers pictured in 1989

Reading materials: The airline's inflight magazine has also changed over the years

In 2004, the airline joined forces with ex-Chanel and Givenchy designer, Julian MacDonald, to create the uniform the crew wears today.

While the women can be seen wearing tailored navy jackets and skirts, and smart, crisp white shirts, the men have looser jackets and wear trousers.

'The old uniform made the cabin crew look like someone's old granny queuing for a bus, because it was so unflattering,' MacDonald said at the time of the redesign.

Once in their seats, long-haul Club Class passengers back in 1989 would have been delving into a three-course meal, with a lobster starter, served on a bed of shrimp and apple salad. 

For main, it would have been a choice of grilled beef, a medallion of fresh salmon, tortellini pasta or cold potted turkey, flavoured with ginger.

Times have changed: The first class cabins on BA's 747's pictured today

Food served in Business and First class, which featured chicken breast in curry sauce warmed with vermouth and brandy, garnished with bananas, mushrooms and shallots and finished with toasted almonds

For dessert, flyers could have opted for fruit with cream, cheeses or fresh fruit.

Today's menus sounds much more luxurious - with more items to choose from, including pork belly and mozzarella for starters, seared British beef, North Atlantic cod, pumpkin risotto and corn-fed chicken. For dessert, there is chocolate mogador, a choice of cheese served with quince, ice cream or fruit.   

First class passengers could choose from smoked salmon with caviar or mousse of avocado to start, followed by a pan-fried steaklet, a fillet of sole or a wonderfully bizarre chicken dish served with bananas, mushrooms and shallots and toasted almonds.

The traditional steak has remained a staple on British Airways Business and First class menus, but in 2014 chefs pay more attention to suitability, vegetarian options and passengers are given the option of olive oil instead of butter. 

Inflight entertainment 1980s style: Films included Rainman and Stormy Monday, featuring Melanie Griffith

In an era when hemlines were unflattering:  An early Boeing 747-400s steward and stewardesses

And it's not just the food and service that's changed on the 747s.

A typical BA's flight in 1989 offered fliers 14 films, five TV shows for first and club passengers and four for economy passengers, and up to 10 radio stations. 

Films featured included Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise in Rainman, Miss Marple feature Murder In The Vicarage, and Major League, starring Charlie Sheen. 

In 2014, on a Heathrow to New York flight, BA features more than 130 movies, 650 TV shows from around the world, 550 audio albums and 200 radio shows. 

Flights to Anchorage, Detroit, Pittsburgh and San Juan have been discontinued since 1989

New routes from London since 1989 include Austin, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Baltimore and Newark

The airline's route map has changed, too. 

Flights to Anchorage, Detroit, Pittsburgh and San Juan have been discontinued since 1989, while new routes from London include Austin, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Baltimore and Newark.

Lynne Embleton, British Airways' director of strategy, said: 'Millions of our customers have flown on this iconic aircraft over the last 25 years, which has been the backbone of the British Airways long haul fleet since it was first introduced 25 years ago.

'While we have taken delivery of fantastic new aircraft, such as the 787 Dreamliner and A380 super jumbo, the 747 "jumbo" will continue to have a special place in the hearts of those who has flown on it.'