The animals were cared for by highly-trained staff and animal handlers while on board the British Airways 747 cargo flight from Larnaca to London Heathrow.
They received specialist care and attention while in the air and many have since been re-homed across the UK.
The 36 dogs and 14 cats had been abandoned on the streets or taken to pounds in Cyprus amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Charities across the country helped rescue the animals before giving them essential medial checks and finding new homes for them in the UK.
On arrival at Heathrow they were driven to Gatwick’s Animal Reception Centre before being safely collected by their new owners – both by private households as well as rescue centres.
The aircraft was also carrying goods including food, perishables and essential medical supplies.
British Airways Captain, Paul Walker-Northwood, who was a member of the flight crew operating the flight said: ‘In these difficult times, our teams are working around the clock to help bring customers home and fly essential supplies into the UK and to communities around the world most in need.
‘As well as bringing in those supplies on this flight, we were pleased to support this mission to bring these new four-legged family members to the UK to give them the chance of better, more comfortable lives here with their new owners.
‘At British Airways, animal welfare is important to us and we know how important it is to our customers.
‘We are sure their arrival will bring real much-needed pleasure to their new families during a challenging period
Well done British airways , that’s why my family fly with you ❤️❤️????
Great to see this: I have long thought BA should serve Larnaca with a wide body plane because of inherent passenger demand and cargo – though I never thought under these circumstances. Maybe when this is over BA could operate the 747 to Larnaca in the summer months flanked by the A320