Tag Archives: British Airways

British Airways announces plans for an exclusive Whispering Angel lounge bar

  • British Airways has announced plans for an exclusive Whispering Angel rosé bar, inviting customers to enjoy the refreshing French tipple ahead of their flight from Heathrow Terminal 5
  • Opening this summer, the bespoke bar will be located in the British Airways lounge near the B gates at London Heathrow Terminal 5 (Terminal 5B)
  • The airline will also be refreshing this lounge over the coming months

British Airways has announced plans for an exclusive Whispering Angel lounge bar, becoming the first airline to have a bespoke bar dedicated to the famed rosé wine.

The bespoke bar, which will exclusively offer Caves d’Esclans’ Whispering Angel rosé, will be located in the airline’s lounge at Terminal 5 B at London Heathrow – often referred to as one of Heathrow’s best kept secrets.

The bar, colored pale pink to emulate the light tones of the rosé served, is expected to open this summer. The opening will coincide with a refresh of the airline’s B gates lounge which will include new and reupholstered furniture, as well as a refreshed layout.

Across the rest of the airline’s Club (business class) lounges at Heathrow and Gatwick, eligible British Airways’ customers can enjoy The Pale rosé, which is produced by the same winemakers as Whispering Angel. Whispering Angel is currently available in British Airways’ First and Club (business class) lounges.

Château d’Esclans’ Whispering Angel boasts a delicate Provençal pink hue, spoiling customer with sun-kissed creamy flavours of peach and raspberries, with refreshing citrus undertones and a smooth, dry finish.

The bar is part of British Airways’ continued elevation of its drinks offering, following the appointment of a full time Master of Wine – one of only 415 Masters of Wine in the world and believed to be the only one appointed by an airline. March 2023 saw the introduction of four new English sparkling wines served on board. The four English Sparkling wine options are available on a quarterly rotation, changing every three months. Rich in variety, customers will be able to choose from two sparkling options when travelling in Club World, including the current Champagne resident Heidsieck & Co. Monopole Silver Top Non-Vintage Champagne, and now an exclusive English Sparkling wine option.

On board, the current English Sparkling is Digby Fine English Brut NV, and from July the airline will serve the Balfour Rosé de Noirs, grown on the Balfour Hush Heath Estate in Kent, and made only from red grapes. This lighter rosé sparkling wine is an exclusive blend for British Airways, making it only available at 35,000ft for customers in the airline’s Club World cabin.

From October, Simpsons Chalklands Cuvee Brut NV, also from Kent will be available for three months, so customer can end the year with a toast. Looking to the new year, from January 2024, customers can try Wiston Estate Brut NV from the South Downs, is refreshing in flavour, with citrus and toasty notes.

British Airways arrives in Cincinnati – its 27th U.S. destination

British Airways (BA) on June 5 announced it has officially arrived at Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) with the airline’s inaugural flight from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) touching down just before 7:30 p.m. local time.

June 5, 2023 – British Airways’ inaugural flight from London Heathrow Airport arrives at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. (PRNewsfoto/British Airways)

The Ohio city becomes the 27th American destination served by British Airways and further advances the United Kingdom flag carrier’s position as the largest overseas airline in the United States.

Service between Cincinnati and London operates five times weekly during the current summer flying season and four times weekly during the winter flying season. The all-new new nonstop flights will be flown by various aircraft in the British Airway fleet including the Boeing 777 and Boeing 787. All aircraft serving Cincinnati offer a variety of quintessentially British onboard experiences with three distinct cabins – Club World (business), World Traveler Plus (premium economy) and World Traveler (economy).

Summer Schedule between London (LHR) and Cincinnati (CVG)
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays

LHR – CVG Flight #121CVG – LHR Flight #120
4:05 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.9:30 p.m. – 10:15 a.m. (+1)

Winter Schedule between London (LHR) and Cincinnati (CVG)
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays

LHR – CVG Flight #121CVG – LHR Flight #120
4:00 p.m. – 6:40 p.m.8:25 p.m. – 10:10 a.m. (+1)

British Airways offers some 300 weekly transatlantic flights between the U.S. and Europe, the most of any foreign carrier.  All American cities are served by spacious wide-body aircraft with multiple cabins of service. Additionally, the airline proudly offers customers flights to more destination to and from London than any other carrier, giving customers access to one of the world’s most extensive flight networks.

British Airways launches flights between London Heathrow and Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen

Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen has become the latest destination to join British Airways’ network, with the inaugural flight touching down on the Anatolian side of Istanbul on Thursday, June 1, 2023.

The new route between London Heathrow (LHR) and Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) will operate four times per week on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays on a mix of A320 and A321 aircraft.

Increasing connectivities from Istanbul

Sabiha Gökçen Airport has become a hub adding three more destinations this June to its extensive network. These include London Heathrow (LHR), Rhodes (RHO) and Mytilene (MJT), Greece.

Sabiha Gökçen serves 154 destinations located across 51 countries via flights operated by 45 airlines. The first four months of 2023 saw the City Airport handle almost 14 million passenger movements.

To celebrate the airport’s namesake, the world’s first female fighter pilot, Ms. Sabiha Gökçen herself, British Airways opted for an all-female flight crew, with Captain Jessica Telford and First Officer Kerry Bennett operating the inaugural flight.

British Airways unveils five new Avios-only flights

  • Five European destinations have become the latest available to book as Avios-Only flights, including Tenerife, Lanzarote and Barcelona
  • Avios-Only flights were introduced in April 2023, with the first two selling out within 24 hours of launching
  • New options include three return flights during the Easter holiday period in 2024

British Airways unveiled its next Avios-Only flights today, opening up hundreds of additional reward seats over the 2024 Easter period.

The first Avios-Only flights were revealed last month, on which 100% of the seats are exclusively available to Executive Club Members as Reward Seats. The first two, to Sharm El Sheikh in November 2023 and Geneva in February 2024, were both snapped up by Members in less than 24 hours.

Following the success, British Airways has opened five more return journeys that will operate as Avios-Only flights in 2023 and 2024. Members will have the opportunity to travel on both Avios-Only flights or combine them with other available travel dates.

RouteOutbound dateInbound date
London Gatwick to Las Palmas15 November 202322 November 2023
London Gatwick to Lanzarote4 December 202311 December 2023
London Heathrow to Barcelona29 March 20247 April 2024
London Heathrow to Nice29 March 20247 April 2024
London Gatwick to Tenerife29 March 20247 April 2024

Reward Seats are those that can be purchased using Avios at static rates. British Airways guarantees a minimum of 12 and 14 Reward Seats on all other short and long-haul flights respectively as standard, whereas Avios-Only flights mean that every seat is available to purchase using Avios. Members booking the Avios-Only flight can do so in any cabin as they normally would through ba.com.

Customers with British Airways American Express Credit Cards will also be able to use their Companion Vouchers on the Avios-Only flights, entitling them to a second seat for just the taxes and charges, or half the amount of Avios.

Avios-Only flight costs

 Please note that all costs are per person for a return flight
Destination / dateEuro Traveller (economy)Club Europe (business class)
Heathrow – Barcelona 29 March – 7 April 2024£1 + 25,500 Avios£9 + 24,000 Avios£25 + 18,500 Avios£35 + 16,500 Avios£95 + 10,500 Avios£115 + 6,500 Avios£1 + 44,500 Avios£9 + 43,000 Avios£35 + 34,500 Avios£50 + 31,500 Avios£125 + 23,500 Avios£165 + 17,500 Avios
Gatwick – Tenerife 29 March – 7 April 2024£1 + 30,500 Avios£9 + 29,000 Avios£25 + 23,500 Avios£35 + 21,500 Avios£111 + 14,500 Avios£135 + 9,500 Avios£1 + 54,500 Avios£9 + 53,000 Avios£35 + 39,500 Avios£50 + 36,700 Avios£145 + 29,500 Avios£195 + 23,500 Avios
Heathrow – Nice 29 March – 7 April 2024£1 + 19,500 Avios£9 + 18,000 Avios£18 + 15,500 Avios£35 + 10,500 Avios£75 + 8,100 Avios£95 + 6,500 Avios£1 + 32,500 Avios£9 + 31,000 Avios£25 + 26,500 Avios£50 + 19,500 Avios£95 + 14,500 Avios£135 + 11,500 Avios
Gatwick – Las Palmas 15 – 22 November 2023£1 + 27,500 Avios£9 + 26,000 Avios£20 + 24,000 Avios£35 + 18,500 Avios£91 + 12,500 Avios£121 + 8,500 Avios£1 + 48,500 Avios£9 + 47,000 Avios£35 + 38,500 Avios£50 + 35,500 Avios£95 + 26,500 Avios£141 + 19,500 Avios
Gatwick – Lanzarote 4 – 11 December 2023£1 + 27,500 Avios£9 + 26,000 Avios£20 + 24,000 Avios£35 + 18,500 Avios£91 + 12,500 Avios£121 + 8,500 Avios£1 + 48,500 Avios£9 + 47,000 Avios£35 + 38,500 Avios£50 + 35,500 Avios£95 + 26,500 Avios£141 + 19,500 Avios

About the British Airways Executive Club

The British Airways Executive Club is a free-to-join reward programme for anyone who loves travel. Its currency is Avios, which can be collected by flying with BA or its partner airlines, taking a holiday, making purchases with more than 1,500 retailers when shopping through British Airways at shopping.ba.com, or through everyday spending with a wide range of partners such as American Express, Nectar, Avis Budget Group and Marriott.

Earlier this year, British Airways Holidays became the latest addition to the programme, allowing Members to book a holiday package from as little as  £1 + 67,650 Avios for two people sharing.

Members can also collect Tier Points every time they fly with British Airways or its oneworld® partners, which offer access a range of exclusive benefits as they climb the Tiers through Blue, Bronze, Silver and Gold.

British Airways rolls out new uniforms for ground workers

  • British Airways has begun the roll out of its first uniform for 20 years, starting with its colleagues working in its operational ground teams across the world
  • From today, the uniform designed by Ozwald Boateng will be worn by more than 5,000 airline colleagues
  • It comes ahead of colleagues working as cabin crew, pilots and customer-facing airport colleagues, who will receive their new uniforms later this summer

British Airways has started the roll out of its brand-new uniform, with more than 5,000 colleagues working in the airline’s engineering, maintenance and airport operations teams across the world wearing the new garments from today. 

The uniform, designed by British, Ghanaian Saville Row fashion designer and master tailor, Ozwald Boateng OBE, will be worn by more than 30,000 of the airline’s colleagues in total, later this year. The next stage of the rollout will include British Airways’ cabin crew, pilots and customer facing colleagues in September this year.

More than 128,000 garment items have been ordered by British Airways’ operational ground colleagues, with the new wardrobe offering more choices than ever before. The entire operational collection offers more than 20 unique garments, including a brand-new quilted jacket with a contemporary design featuring a bespoke airwave print. This unique airwave print is a consistent feature across garments in the collection. The jacket has a fleece lining and is showerproof, ensuring colleagues are kept warm and dry. Garments have also been designed with practicality in mind, including additional pockets for tools, detachable tool belts and gloves with touch screen technology.

The entire collection was developed in collaboration with the airline’s colleagues over five years, with more than 1,500 colleagues across the airline volunteering their time to help shape the look and feel. Colleagues took part in more than 50 workshops from design workshops to prototype feedback and garment trials to help create the iconic British designs.

During the design process, Boateng shadowed different airport roles to understand each role’s requirements and ensure the suitability of the designs. Once developed, the new garments were put to the test with secret trials. As part of the trials, deluge showers and freezers at -18 degrees Celsius were used to ensure water resistance and durability of the garments. 

As part of the airline’s sustainability programme BA Better World, sustainability has been integral to the design of the new uniforms and the recycling of the old uniforms. As British Airways’ operational ground teams begin to wear their new uniform, they will hand back their current uniform, which will be donated to chosen charities or recycled. The airline is still exploring multiple options for recycling the garments, including creating a sustainable range of merchandise and gifting certain items to the British Airways Heritage Centre.

British Airways’ new safety video

“There is a light for attracting attention, and who doesn’t love attention?”

  • British Airways has launched its new onboard safety video, featuring many incredible colleagues from across the airline
  • The safety video encompasses British wit; playing on the British obsession with the weather to a love for fish and chips, and celebrating things that make Britain original
  • In addition to the airline’s people, the video features members of the public and some well-known faces
  • The safety video will feature on board British Airways’ long-haul aircraft from 1 May 2023*

British Airways has today premiered its new onboard safety video, which stars the airline’s colleagues, Britons going about their daily activities and some familiar faces, showcasing everything that makes Britain unique and truly original.

The safety video plays on things synonymous with the UK, from discussing the weather to enjoying fish and chips by the sea, it celebrates the timeless quirks and its unique people that put the nation on the map.

The five-minute film will be shown on the airline’s long-haul aircraft from 1 May 2023, and showcases British Airways colleagues from across the airline in their roles on the ground and in the air. One of the stars, British Airways engineer Carl Carpenter, drives across an engineering hangar while asking customers to unplug their devices, before his own vehicle comes to an abrupt stop. Cabin crew member Sima Patel-Pryke asks customers for their attention as the safety instructions may differ from other aircraft they’ve travelled on previously. In response, British rapper, Little Simz takes off her headphones, and remarks ‘What?!’

As well as shining a light on the airline’s incredible colleagues, the video also features some of the Great British public. When cabin crew member Emily Mae Jackson reminds customers that life jackets should not be inflated inside the aircraft, viewers see the instruction playfully taken out of situ with a real-life farmer near Dover and two fishermen on Deal beach in Kent all inflating their life jackets.

Calum Laming, British Airways’ Chief Customer Officer, said: “We have all sat through safety demonstrations before, so we knew we needed to create something different that would capture attention and was totally in line with our British Original positioning. We wanted this to be a real celebration of originality and for us, it is our people who – together with where we’re from – make us unique. That’s why it was important for us to hero so many of our amazing colleagues doing what they do each and every day for our customers and for each other. We also wanted to inject some wit and showcase Britishness, and all the quirks that put us on the map by shining a light on real life people – from fishermen and chip shop workers to friends hanging out, as well as some well known faces who help put Britain on a stage. So, seats in the take-off position and we hope you really enjoy our new safety video.”

British Airways engineer, Carl Carpenter, said: “My day-to-day role involves making sure our aircraft are safe for our customers, so to feature in the safety video itself is quite surreal. We had so much fun filming the video and I can’t wait to finally see it on board when I next go on holiday.”

Tennis player, Emma Raducanu, said “As a British Airways Brand Ambassador, it was a privilege to be a part of the new safety video and film alongside so many British Airways colleagues and household names from across the country. It’s fresh, engaging and I know customers will be in for a treat when video is rolled out for the first time on board.”

The airline’s colleagues star alongside celebrities including Ncuti Gatwa, Little Simz, Robert Peston, Kaya Scodelario, Steven Bartlett, Emma Raducanu, chef Tom Kerridge and British Airways’ new uniform designer Ozwald Boateng.

The airline is championing and showcasing British Originality across its customer experience, from its menus featuring the best of British cuisine, to its dedicated British Original in-flight entertainment channel, and is proud to show off the best of Britain.

Later this year, a second version of the safety video will be released, featuring the airline’s colleagues in its new uniform.

British Airways launches its first Avios-only flights to be operated by BA Euroflyer

  • In a first for the airline, British Airways has launched flights that are made up exclusively of Reward Seats for Executive Club Members
  • The first Avios-Only flight will be the inaugural flight from London Gatwick to Sharm El Sheikh in November 2023
  • Four flights from London Heathrow to Geneva will follow in February and March 2024, with more routes to be announced throughout 2023
  • All flights are available to book from today

British Airways has launched its first Avios-Only flights, on which 100% of the seats are exclusively available to Executive Club Members as Reward Seats.

The first Avios-Only flight will be the inaugural flight from London Gatwick to Sharm El Sheikh on November 3, 2023, followed by a selection of flights from London Heathrow to Geneva in February and March 2024. More routes will be announced throughout 2023

Return flights to Sharm El Sheikh will be from as little as £1 + 27,500 Avios per person, with an option to reduce this even further with a Companion Voucher. Club Europe (business class) fares start from £1 + 48,500 Avios. The Egyptian holiday hotspot recently became the latest addition to the network of British Airways’ London Gatwick-based subsidiary, BA Euroflyer.

Following this, the next Avios-Only flights will be the BA728 from London Heathrow to Geneva on the dates below. Flights will be from £1 + 18,500 Avios per person, with options from £1 + 30,000 Avios in Club Europe. The respective BA729 return flights will operate as Avios-Only flights a week later.

  • 10 February 2024
  • 17 February 2024
  • 24 February 2024
  • 02 March 2024

Reward Seats are those that can be purchased using Avios at static rates. British Airways guarantees a minimum of 12 and 14 Reward Seats on short and long-haul flights respectively, and this will be the first flight with every seat available to purchase using Avios. Members booking the Avios-Only flight can do so in any cabin as they normally would through ba.com, with a selection of return options available as Reward Seats.

The new Sharm El Sheikh route will be operated by BA Euroflyer three times per week throughout the winter season, with a fourth service on Saturdays until 15 December 2023.

BA Euroflyer operates in a similar manner to the company’s existing subsidiary, BA Cityflyer, flying under the British Airways brand and delivering the premium British Airways service customers know and love. The issuance of an individual Air Operator’s Certificate and Operating Licence for BA Euroflyer enables the airline to begin the transition of aircraft, flight crew and cabin crew to the wholly owned subsidiary, which is based at London Gatwick.

Photo: BA Euroflyer

British Airways launched BA Euroflyer on March 29, 2022, when the airline began operations under the British Airways Air Operator’s Certificate. The launch of BA Euroflyer marked the return of international short-haul flying from London Gatwick following the COVID-19 pandemic. This summer, customers flew to more than 30 destinations across the network – including Amsterdam, Santorini and Marrakech and hundreds of new flight crew, cabin crew and office-based colleagues have joined the BA Euroflyer team.

British Airways to operate seasonal London Heathrow to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen services this summer

British Airways Airbus A320-251N WL G-TTNH (msn 8489) ARN (Stefan Sjogren). Image: 960168.

British Airways will introduce a summer seasonal service from its London Heathrow hub to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen starting on June 1.

The seasonal route will be operated four days a week.

Top Copyright Photo: British Airways Airbus A320-251N WL G-TTNH (msn 8489) ARN (Stefan Sjogren). Image: 960168.

British Airways aircvraft photo gallery:

British Airways aircraft photo gallery (Airbus)
Volume 1

British Airways to cancel 300 flights during Heathrow Airport staff’s Easter strikes

Heathrow Airport

British Airways is set to cancel over 300 flights to and from London Heathrow Airport during the Easter holiday period due to strikes by airport security staff.

Read more from The Guardian:

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/mar/27/british-airways-cancels-300-flights-during-heathrow-staffs-easter-strikes

British Airways touches down in Aruba and Guyana with two inaugural flights to the Caribbean

Aruba and Guyana have become the latest destinations to join British Airways’ network, with inaugural flights arriving to a warm welcome in the destinations’ respective capital cities.

British Airways operates more routes to the Caribbean and Mexico than any other UK airline, with Aruba and Guyana bringing the total number of destinations served in the region to 17.

Flight BA2157 departed London Gatwick (LGW) at 10:00 on Sunday, March 26, 2023 and touched down at Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA) in Oranjestad, Aruba at 17:00 local time. The brand-new route will operate twice weekly via Antigua on Thursdays and Sundays.

The following day on Monday, March 27, 2023, flight BA2159 departed London Gatwick at 11:35, landing at Cheddi Jagan International Airport (GEO) in Georgetown, Guyana at 19:50 local time. This was the first of a twice weekly flight, operating via St Lucia on Mondays and Thursdays.

The flight was operated by Captain Marc Chan whose father was born in Guyana and, like Marc, also a British Airways captain. He said: “My father was a BOAC and British Airways captain from 1968 until 1999. He used to look up as a small boy from the jungle at the silver BOAC jets flying high above and dreamed of one day becoming a pilot. My father, Michael Chan-Choong, was the first Guyanese pilot in BOAC. More than 50 years later I am very proud to help launch the inaugural service to Georgetown with my co-pilot Alan Brooks who has Caribbean heritage. It will mark my first steps onto the land of my father and is one of the highlights of my flying career.”

Both routes will operate on a Boeing 777-200 aircraft, with three cabins for customers to choose from: Club (business), World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and World Traveller (economy).

Sunday, March 26, 2023 also saw British Airways’ first direct flight to Port of Spain, Trinidad, which will operate three times per week from London Gatwick. The flight was formerly via St Lucia.

British Airways has introduced award-winning English Sparkling wines in its Club World (business class) cabin

British Airways has introduced award-winning English Sparkling wines in its Club World (business class) cabin so customers can enjoy the ‘best of British’ bubbles at 35,000ft.

The airline’s Master of Wine has worked carefully with several award-winning wineries to source, taste and select a range of English Sparkling wines for customers to sample in the comfort of their seat. The introduction of four English Sparkling wines in Club World will be a first for the airline, previously only available in the airline’s First cabin with Hattingley Valley from Hampshire.

The four English Sparkling wine options will be available on a rotational basis, changing every three months. This means that customers will be able to choose from two sparkling options when travelling in Club World, including the current Champagne resident Heidsieck & Co. Monopole Silver Top Non-Vintage Champagne, and now an exclusive English Sparkling wine option.

The first English Sparkling wine will be the Digby Fine English Brut NV, which has over three years’ maturation, giving it great complexity and finesse for customers to savour. This wine pairs well with delicate dishes on the airline’s Club World menu, such as the grilled cod with sweet potato mousseline, mozzarella mezzaluna or an after-dinner selection of cheeses.

Photo British Airways

From July, the airline will serve the Balfour Rosé de Noirs, grown on the Balfour Hush Heath Estate in Kent, and made only from red grapes. This lighter rosé sparkling wine is an exclusive blend for British Airways, making it only available at 35,000ft for customers in the airline’s Club World cabin.

Later in the year, Simpsons Chalklands Cuvee Brut NV, from Kent will be available from October for three months. This epitomises English elegance and is pale gold in colour, with delicate notes of crisp green apple. Finally, Wiston Estate Brut NV from the South Downs, is refreshing in flavour, with citrus and toasty notes and available for customers to try in the airline’s Club World cabin from January 2024.

The airline continues to spotlight a destination through its premium wine selection, celebrating a different destination in its network each quarter. In April, the airline will spotlight wines from the regions surrounding the city of Porto, Portugal, in its Club World and First cabins, including Anselmo Mendes’ Muros Antigos Loureiro Vinho Verde and Casa Ferreirinha’s Callabriga Douro.

Elsewhere, British Airways continues to elevate its drinks portfolio with the launch of Whispering Angel Provence Rosé and The Pale, curated from the same Château d’Esclans vineyards. Customers can enjoy these varieties across its lounges at London Heathrow and London Gatwick.

British Airways recently introduced new seasonal menus across its cabins to celebrate Valentine’s Day and promote the best of British cuisine, and is launching Easter and Eid menus over the coming weeks. The airline has also been trialling menu variations and service styles with the airline’s cabin crew to ensure they meet customers’ expectations.

British Airways is celebrating raising more than £27 million for its global charity partnership with Comic Relief

  • British Airways is celebrating raising more than £27 million for its global charity partnership with Comic Relief by challenging the GB Rowing Team to race a British Airways aircraft
  • Alison Hammond, Rylan and Sir Steve Redgrave put their support behind the event at London City Airport
  • Funds raised for Comic Relief through the Flying Start partnership support charities in the UK and around the world
  • Red Nose Day returns on Friday, March 17, 2023

This Red Nose Day, British Airways is proud to have raised an incredible £27.3 million for Flying Start, through the airline’s global charity partnership with Comic Relief. The money has been raised over the past 13 years, since the partnership’s launch in 2010.

To celebrate this ‘oarsome’ milestone, British Airways teamed up with Comic Relief celebrity supporters Alison Hammond, Rylan and Sir Steve Redgrave to find out if one of its aircraft could beat the GB Rowing team in a race next to London City Airport.

Never one to shy away from a challenge, rowing legend Sir Steve Redgrave brought together medal-winning members of the GB Rowing Team to take on the challenge. The World Champions and Olympians in the mixed eight boat comprised a cox, four female and four male rowers, who took on a British Airways Cityflyer Embraer 190 Aircraft.

Ahead of the race, Alison Hammond gave words of wisdom to the rowing team, showing them some of her own special warm up tips. At the same time, Rylan prepped the airline’s crew, before both celebs took to the water to cheer everyone to the finish line.

The race took place at London City Airport, next to the Royal Albert Docks with the runway running parallel to the water where many Olympic and World Champion rowers train.

Funds raised through the Flying Start partnership support projects both in the UK and around the world in destinations that British Airways flies to. Examples include Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland which provides tailored support to families with children affected by spina bifida and /or hydrocephalus, and Butterflies in New Delhi, which works with children living or working on the streets to give them life skills to prosper. Butterflies has supported an estimated 2,250 children in New Delhi over the last two years.

Finnair to wet lease four Airbus A320s to British Airways

Finnair Airbus A320-214 OH-LXL (msn 2146) LHR (SPA). Image: 925199.

Finnair has signed an agreement with British Airways to wet lease four Airbus A320s starting on March 24, 2023 for 12 months.

The aircraft will be crewed by Finnair.

Top Copyright Photo: Finnair Airbus A320-214 OH-LXL (msn 2146) LHR (SPA). Image: 925199.

Finnair aircraft photo gallery:

Finnair aircraft photo gallery

Comair sues Boeing for alleged fraud over the 737 MAX aircraft

British Airways-Comair (South Africa) Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 ZS-ZCA (msn 60432)

Comair Limited has filed a lawsuit in federal court against The Boeing Company for fraud and breach of contract concerning the purchase of eight 737 MAX aircraft. 

Comair is seeking damages in excess of $83 million, which it suffered as a result of Boeing’s wrongful conduct.

The lawsuit details Boeing’s wrongful conduct and alleges:

  • In 2010, Boeing was under pressure from its largest competitor, Airbus. This pressure led Boeing to take shortcuts, make misrepresentations and conceal information to bring the 737 MAX to market quickly.
  • One of the 737 MAX’s central flaws was its new engines. They were larger and could not easily fit under the 737 frame’s low wings. To obtain adequate ground clearance, Boeing moved the engines up and forward.
  • The new mount location caused the aircraft’s nose to abnormally pitch up.
  • Rather than make the necessary, but more costly, aerodynamic changes needed to prevent the pitch-up problem, Boeing tried to combat it with a new software called the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (“MCAS”), which automatically applied downward stabilizer trim.
  • MCAS did not work safely, and Boeing knew it. A Boeing test pilot reported it took more than 10 seconds to respond to an uncommanded MCAS activation, which he described as a “catastrophic” condition. Boeing also eliminated one of two sensors that told MCAS when to activate—leaving it more prone to failure. Boeing deleted reference to MCAS from the Flight Crew Operations Manual, but forgot to remove it from the abbreviations table.
  • Rather than rectify known problems, Boeing concealed them from customers (including Comair) and the FAA in a rush to market and to maximize profits. 
  • With the existence of the entire MCAS system concealed, Boeing avoided any requirement that pilots be trained on MCAS. Boeing represented that the pilot skill needed to fly the 737 MAX was “interchangeable” with the training and skill needed to pilot the existing 737 NG aircraft.
  • In reliance on Boeing’s misrepresentations and concealed facts, on September 19, 2013, Comair entered into a Purchase Agreement with Boeing for the sale of eight 737 MAX aircraft for a total aircraft base price of more than $98 million. Delivery of Comair’s first 737 MAX would take place in February 2019.
  • On October 28, 2018, a 737 MAX (Lion Air Flight 610) crashed 11 minutes after takeoff from Jakarta, Indonesia, killing all 189 passengers and crew on board. MCAS engaged to force the aircraft’s nose sharply down. The crew fought to counteract it, but were eventually overcome by MCAS and the aircraft dove into the sea.
  • On March 10, 2019, another 737 MAX (Ethiopian Air Flight 302) crashed six minutes after takeoff from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, killing all 157 passengers and crew on board. Like Lion Air Flight 610, Ethiopian Air Flight 302 crashed when MCAS persistently engaged forcing the aircraft toward the ground.
  • Shortly thereafter, all of Boeing’s 737 MAX aircraft were grounded worldwide.
  • In September 2020, a U.S. House of Representatives committee investigated the 737 MAX and concluded there was a “disturbing pattern of technical miscalculations and troubling management misjudgments by Boeing” and a “culture of concealment” at Boeing, among other things.
  • Among “several unmistakable facts” uncovered, the House Committee found: “Boeing withheld crucial information from the FAA, [and] its customers . . . including ‘concealing the very existence of MCAS from 737 MAX pilots.'”
  • Comair relied on Boeing’s misrepresentations and concealment of material facts in deciding to purchase eight 737 MAX aircraft.
  • Comair paid Boeing more than $45 million in advanced payments on seven 737 MAX aircraft and full payment on the one 737 MAX aircraft it received. Boeing has refused to return the advanced deposits on the seven aircraft it never delivered to Comair. Comair suffered additional damages as a result of the grounding of its 737 MAX for a total loss of more than $83 million.

Comair Limited is based in South Africa. Comair Limited was an airline that operated scheduled services on domestic routes as a British Airways licensee. It also operated as a low-cost carrier under its own kulula.com brand.

Top Copyright Photo: British Airways-Comair (South Africa) Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 ZS-ZCA (msn 60432) JNB (Jonathan Druion). Image: 946067.

British Airways-Comair aircraft photo gallery:

British Airways announces a codeshare agreement with Airlink of South Africa

British Airways has announced a codeshare partnership with Airlink, improving connectivity between the UK, Europe, North America and more than 15 destinations in Southern Africa.

With bases in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban in South Africa, Airlink is a premium regional airline with a wide-reaching network of cities in 14 countries, including South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia.

The agreement means British Airways’ customers travelling from or transiting through London will be able to connect to their final destination via Cape Town or Johannesburg on a single ticket.  This will offer more choice and flexibility for those travelling on to one of 18 towns and cities, such as Windhoek in Namibia and Durban in South Africa.

British Airways currently flies twice daily between London Heathrow and Johannesburg with A380 aircraft, twice daily between London Heathrow and Cape Town with B777 and A350 aircraft and three times per week between London Gatwick and Cape Town with B777 aircraft.

Airlink route map:

Airlink Route Map

In total, 18 destinations are available as codeshare options when travelling from Heathrow via Johannesburg and Cape Town. Examples include:

  • London Heathrow to Durban via Johannesburg
  • London Heathrow to Port Elizabeth, South Africa, via Cape Town or Johannesburg
  • London Heathrow to Skukuza, South Africa via Cape Town or Johannesburg
  • London Heathrow to Windhoek, Namibia via Cape Town or Johannesburg
  • London Heathrow to Walvis Bay, Namibia via Cape Town or Johannesburg

Airlink aircraft photo gallery:

British Airways announces the resumption of flights to Mainland China

After a two-year absence, British Airways has announced it will resume flights between the UK and mainland China. Flights to Shanghai will commence on April 23 and Beijing on June 3. 

British Airways first flew to China in 1980 and continued to do so until the pandemic. The airline has been working hard to reintroduce these important routes to enable customers to reunite with family and friends.

Chinese Cabin Crew Wing CeremonyTaken: 27th May 2016Picture by: Stuart Bailey / British Airways

From April 23, flights will operate daily between London Heathrow and Shanghai Pudong International Airport – flight numbers BA168/BA169. From June 3, flights will operate four times per week between London Heathrow and Beijing Daxing Airport – flight numbers BA88/89.

Schedule:

Flight NumberDay of weekDeparture AirportDeparture TimeArrival AirportArrival Time 
London-Shanghai Service from 23rd April 2023 
BA169DailyLondon Heathrow1225Shanghai Pudong0755^ 
BA168DailyShanghai Pudong1100London Heathrow1825 
London-Beijing service from 3rd June 2023 
BA89Mon, Tue, Thu, SatLondon Heathrow1505Beijing Daxing0935^ 
BA88Tue, Wed, Fri, SunBeijing Daxing1120London Heathrow1730 

^arrives 1 day later

*Schedule is effective from 23rd April and 3rd June  2023 and subject to operational change and regulatory approval. 

Top Copyright Photo: British Airways Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner G-ZBKK (msn 38627) AMS (Ton Jochems). Image: 960012.

British Airways aircraft photo gallery: