The Boeing 747 is due to arrive home at Monday lunchtime and will be bringing home at least 17 gold medallists, including swimmer Rebecca Adlinton, cyclist Chris Hoy and Ben Ainslie, who between them won six golds.

Willie Walsh, the chief executive of British Airways, said: "Team GB has led the opposition home in event after event at this golden Olympics.

"It is right that a gold nose cone should adorn the aircraft that brings the team home to the UK.

"We salute our Olympians."

British Airways is a sponsor of the British Olympic Association (BOA) and also a tier-one partner of London 2012.