British Airways Routemaster RMA buses, Heathrow 1977

In the golden age of British aviation and motoring during the 1960s, London Heathrow Airport was rapidly expanding to meet growing demand. To support this growth, an innovative transport solution was introduced: a special fleet of Routemaster buses, known as the RMA class, designed specifically for airport service.

A Unique Variant of the Routemaster

The RMA buses were part of the famed AEC Routemaster family, but they differed significantly from the standard red London Transport models that roamed the capital’s streets. Built between 1965 and 1966, the RMA class was developed for British European Airways (BEA), which at the time operated coach services between central London and Heathrow Airport for its passengers.

Unlike traditional Routemasters, the RMA buses had a closed rear platform with front doors, making them more suitable for longer, high-speed journeys on the newly built M4 motorway. They were also fitted with luggage compartments, a rare feature for buses of the time, allowing passengers to stow their suitcases conveniently while travelling to or from their flights.

Design and Specifications

A total of 65 RMA buses were built. They featured:

• AEC AV590 9.6-litre engines, the same as many standard Routemasters

• Semi-automatic transmission

• Front-entrance, single-door bodywork by Park Royal Vehicles

• Special BEA red-and-cream livery with “Airline Coach Service” branding

• A built-in roof-mounted luggage pod on some units for additional capacity

Most of the fleet bore fleet numbers RMA1 to RMA65 and were operated by BEA in conjunction with London Transport.

Serving the Skies

The RMA buses became a familiar sight along the West London Air Terminal route, ferrying passengers from Gloucester Road in Kensington to Heathrow Airport. They offered a reliable and stylish link for air travellers before the era of mass car ownership and the expansion of the London Underground to the airport.

Inside, the buses were more comfortable than standard London buses, featuring coach-style seating and heating suited to airport users. The drivers were uniformed, and the overall service was pitched as a premium connection for airline passengers.

The Decline and Later Use

By the early 1970s, changes in air travel and the closure of the West London Air Terminal in 1974 led to the RMA fleet being withdrawn from BEA service. Some were repainted in British Airways livery while the rest were acquired by London Transport, where they were repainted in traditional red and reused on London bus routes—a rare instance of coaches being adapted back into general public service.