The Secret History of Flight 149 cover art

The Secret History of Flight 149

The true story behind the most shocking government cover-up of the last thirty years

 Preview
LIMITED TIME OFFER

3 Months Free

£5.99/mo after 3 months. Cancel monthly.
Get this deal
Offer ends on 15 July 2026 at 11:59 BST.
More purchase options

The Secret History of Flight 149

By: Stephen Davis
Narrated by: Colin Mace
Get this deal

£5.99/mo after 3 months. Cancel monthly.

Buy Now for £13.86

Buy Now for £13.86


'Damning' - Mail on Sunday

'Gripping and shocking [...] an unputdownable read' - Stephen Grey, award-winning investigate journalist and author of GHOST PLANE and THE NEW SPYMASTERS

'This investigation rings true' - Publishers Weekly

On 1 August, 1990, British Airways Flight 149 departed from Heathrow airport, destined for Kuala Lumpur. It never made it there, and neither did its nearly 400 passengers. Instead, Flight 149 stopped to refuel in Kuwait, as Iraqi troops amassed on the border - delivering the passengers and crew into the hands of Saddam Hussein and the Iraqi army, to be used as 'human shields' during their invasion.

Why did BA flight 149 proceed with plans to refuel in Kuwait City, even as all other flights were rerouted - and even though British and American governments had clear intelligence that Saddam was about to invade? The answer lies in an exchange of favours at the highest echelons of government, and a secret, unaccountable organization - authorised by Margaret Thatcher - carrying out a 'deniable' intelligence operation to sneak in a group of intelligence offers into Kuwait aboard the flight. The plane was the 'Trojan Horse', and the plan - as well as the horrific, traumatic consequences for the civilian passengers - has been lied about, denied and covered up by successive British Governments ever since.

Soon to be a major TV drama, this explosive book is written with the full cooperation of the survivors, as well as astonishing and conclusive input from a senior intelligence source. It is a story of scandal, betrayal and misuse of intelligence at the highest levels of UK and US governments - which has had direct, horrifying impact on terror attacks in the West and the shape of the Middle East today. It is high time the truth is told.

Previously published under the title Operation Trojan Horse
 Armed Forces Freedom & Security Media Studies Middle East Military Politics & Government Social Sciences Special & Elite Forces Espionage Government Inspiring Thought-Provoking Iran Aviation Air Force
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
All stars
Most relevant
Excellent book well presented a read. Which has confirmed that, that flight should been diverted and not allowed to land in Kuwait. I will recommend it to one and all.

What a surprise devious the so called elite.!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I really enjoyed the content, delivery and detail given in the story. I've never been a fan of audio books but this kept me engaged right through to the end.

Mind provoking story

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Interesting take, but what’s true and what’s untrue. Do we want the protection our “secret services offer? At the price of strategic mis information, or do we want our national security compromised?
How relevant are such exposes so long after the event? I realise that there will be collateral damage, casualties in the pursuit of the greater good! , and I do realise that I would not like myself or my loved ones to be part of any collateral damage!

Back ground government level conspiracy,

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Insight into what happened to the crew and passengers, and history of the society breaking down and changing.

Enjoyed the beginning but found the last half harder to concentrate on. Worth persisting with however, especially if you have an interested in aviation or BA.

Interesting insight into harrowing events

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Just an amazing book. The story covers first hand accounts of what really happened in that period. There are times you think you are listening to fiction given the circumstances being written about. This harrowing tale really gives insight into realities many will never understand or experience. I’d recommend it to anyone!

Incredible first hand accounts

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews