The Air Age Map of the World — Centered on London, compiled in 1947 by the British Overseas Airways Corporation and published by Edward Stanford Ltd., is a statement piece from the dawn of commercial jet-age thinking—before the jets themselves arrived. It reimagines the globe through the lens of flight, with London as the fixed point from which the world’s major cities radiate in luminous arcs. In the wake of World War II, BOAC used this cartographic vision to proclaim Britain’s renewed mobility and reach, translating aviation’s promise into a visually arresting geography of proximity. The result is both a practical guide to emerging air corridors and a manifesto for a world newly measured in hours aloft rather than days at sea.

Technically sophisticated and didactic by design, the map adopts the Polar Azimuthal Equidistant projection, here centered on London, to deliver what oceanic charts could not: accurate distances and bearings from the capital to far-flung destinations. The sheet’s textual commentary—an elegant aside in cartographic advocacy—highlights the limitations of the Mercator projection for air navigation, contrasting its high-latitude distortions with the azimuthal equidistant’s faithful mileage from the chosen center. Distances from London to 27 major cities are crisply enumerated, transforming abstract routes into measurable journeys and enabling the traveler, planner, or armchair navigator to think in flight hours rather than in latitudes and longitudes.

Visually, the composition balances poise and purpose. Continents are washed in muted pastels that recede just enough to let the aviation network sing, while bright, precise lines burst from London in a controlled starburst. Major cities are clearly lettered for immediate legibility, and the world’s oceans and polar reaches are presented with a calm clarity that suits aerial wayfinding. The circular logic of the projection choreographs the landmasses around the central hub, inviting the eye to sweep across Europe, the Atlantic, and onward to the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Australia. It is a map to be read at a glance and then lingered over, its geometry encouraging paths to be traced and compared.

Historically, the map captures the inflection point when air routes began to overwrite sea lanes as the organizing grammar of global movement. BOAC’s network—spanning Europe, North America, South America, Africa, Asia, Australia, and the polar regions—was both practical infrastructure and soft power, and this image made that dual purpose legible. The focus on great-circle logic, refueling realities, and the comparative nearness of once-distant capitals reframed public perception of the planet. In an era when national carriers were symbols of technological leadership, this map distilled the postwar shift from empire and ocean to corridor and sky, previewing patterns that underpin today’s long-haul aviation.

Edward Stanford’s imprimatur adds a final layer of pedigree, marrying the rigor of a premier London mapmaker to BOAC’s evangelical modernism. The restrained palette, impeccable typography, and persuasive cartographic argument produce a rare blend of utility and elegance—an object that is at once guide, diagram, and declaration. As an artifact of the Air Age, it offers more than routes and mileages: it conveys the exhilaration of a world newly stitched together, the optimism of postwar engineering, and the enduring charm of a map that teaches as it delights. It is a conversation piece that rewards both close study and daily admiration.

Countries and regions on this map

• Europe
• North America
• South America
• Africa
• Asia
• Australia
• Polar Regions
• Highlighted major cities, bodies of water, and the geographical layout pertinent to aviation routes.

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Projection Type: Polar Azimuthal Equidistant
• Dot Connections: Bright lines originating from London indicating air routes to various major cities
• Distance Scales: Indicating distances from London to each city
• City Labels: Major cities clearly marked for navigation
• Textual Commentary: Explanation of the limitations of the Mercator projection and advantages of the azimuthal equidistant projection.

Historical and design context

• Created: 1947
• Mapmaker/Publisher: Compiled by British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC), published by Edward Stanford Ltd.
• BOAC, during the period post-World War II, aimed to promote air travel and demonstrate Britain's global reach and influence in aviation.
• Polar Azimuthal Equidistant Projection
• Muted pastel color palette for continents, with bright lines representing air routes
• Aesthetic balance between functionality and visual appeal
• Reflects a shift in global travel perceptions post-WWII
• Addresses limitations of traditional Mercator projection in aviation
• Serves as an important artifact of the air travel era, highlighting major routes that helped shape current air travel networks.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 100in (250cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

Please note: the labels on this map are hard to read if you order a map that is 20in (50cm) or smaller. The map is still very attractive, but if you would like to read the map easily, please buy a larger size.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x16in (40x40cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

This map is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The map is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present a map without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas maps and explore the differences between my different finishes.

For something truly unique, this map is also available in "Unique 3D", our trademarked process that dramatically transforms the map so that it has a wonderful sense of depth. We combine the original map with detailed topography and elevation data, so that mountains and the terrain really "pop". For more info and examples of 3D maps, check my Unique 3D page.

Many of our maps and art prints are chosen as thoughtful gifts for homes, offices, studies and meaningful places.

Choose a framed option for the easiest ready-to-hang gift, or choose an unframed print if the recipient may prefer to select their own frame.

We make orders locally in 23 countries around the world, so gifts can often be produced close to the recipient. This helps them arrive faster, travel more safely, and avoid customs or import duty surprises.

• We can deliver directly to the recipient
• Framed pieces arrive ready to hang
• Unframed prints are carefully packed in a strong protective tube
• Almost every order is made locally, for faster, safer gifting
• 90-day returns give the recipient time to decide

If you are not sure what to choose, please contact us. We can help you pick the right map, size, finish or delivery option.

Most orders are made locally and delivered in around 2–3 working days, depending on the product, size and destination.

We print and frame maps and artwork in 23 countries around the world, so your order is usually made close to you or your recipient. That means faster delivery, less time in transit, and no customs or import duty surprises.

Personalised and customised pieces usually take an extra 1–2 working days, because we prepare your design and send it to you for approval before printing.

Very large framed orders can take a little longer, as they need extra care in production and delivery.

Every order is carefully packaged: unframed prints are sent in a strong protective tube, while framed pieces are securely packed with protective materials around the frame.

If you need your order by a particular date, please contact us before ordering. We’ll check the best production route and delivery option for your location.

Express delivery is available at checkout for most countries. Next-day delivery is available in the UK, US, Singapore and the UAE.

Your order is covered by our 90-day returns policy and 10-year guarantee.

Read our full delivery and local production guide

Our standard frame is a gallery-style black ash hardwood frame, with a simple, modern look. It is approximately 20mm (0.8in) wide. You can also view some lovely customer photos of framed maps and art.

We use super-clear acrylic glazing, also known as Perspex or Acrylite, instead of traditional glass. It is lighter, safer, and has lower reflectivity, giving the artwork a clearer, cleaner appearance.

Six standard frame colours are available at no extra cost: black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white, and antique gold. Custom framing and mounting/matting is also available for customers looking for something more specific.

Most maps, art prints, and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced wooden box frame, and then float the piece within a wooden outer frame. The finished result is beautifully presented, with no glazing between you and the artwork.

All frames are supplied ready to hang, with either string or brackets fitted to the back. Very large frames will include heavy-duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

We can also supply old maps and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag, and other materials.

If you would prefer to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read our size guide before ordering.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

If you are not happy with your order for any reason, contact me and I'll get it fixed ASAP, free of charge. Please see my returns and refund policy for more information.

I am very confident you will like your restored map or art print. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and art prints and have over 5,000 real 5-star reviews. My work has been featured in interior design magazines, on the BBC, and on the walls of dozens of 5-star hotels.

I use a unique process to restore maps and artwork that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps and illustrations can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore them. As a result, I guarantee my maps and art prints are a cut above the rest. I stand by my products and will always make sure you're 100% happy with what you receive.

Almost all of my maps and art prints look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.