Tag Archives: British Airways

British Airways to launch a new London Gatwick – Milan Bergamo route

British Airways will launch a new route from London Gatwick to Milan Bergamo. The six-per-week service launches on September 1, 2019.

Bergamo Airport is conveniently nestled between some of Italy’s most picturesque lakes and Milan. The airport is 45km from the fashion capital known for its sophistication and creativity which is perfect for a weekend city break. For those seeking a relaxed sunshine escape, Bergamo is the closest gateway to Lake Como and driving distance from Lake Garda, as well as the Franciacorta Wine Region. Bergamo also borders the Alps, providing access to a number of ski resorts during winter.

Resort town Menaggio on Lake Como, Italy

Photo: British Airways.

Photo of the Day: British Airways G-CIVB departs Dublin in the Negus livery

Today, the pictured Boeing 747-436 G-CIVB (msn 25811) of British Airways departed the paint shop at Dublin bound for London’s Heathrow Airport and regular service.

The Jumbo is painted in the 1973 Negus and Negus livery which was the first livery for British Airways in 1974 when BOAC and BEA merged to form BA. G-CIVB is also the fourth (and final) historic livery in the BA 100 celebrations.

This livery was unveiled in September 1973 on Boeing 707 G-AXXY.

British Airways announces its third route to Saudi Arabia

British Airways has announced it will fly from London Heathrow to global business hub, Dammam in Saudi Arabia from December 1, 2019.

The route will be the only direct flight from London and launch as a daily service via Bahrain.

Flights will be operated by a four-class Boeing 777-200 (below) departing year-round from Heathrow Terminal 5, landing into Dammam’s King Fahd International Airport.

Dammam is the capital of the Eastern Province and is known as the heart of the country’s petroleum industry. Dammam will be the third city in Saudi Arabia British Airways flies to with the airline already serving Riyadh and Jeddah with nonstop daily flights.

Dammam is one of five long-haul routes being launched by British Airways in 2019, its centenary year. The airline is also launching non-stop flights to Pittsburgh and Charleston in the US, Osaka in Japan and Islamabad in Pakistan alongside several short-haul routes.

As British Airways marks its centenary year, the airline is set to look to the future with the arrival in July of its first of 18 A350-1000s, complete with the new Club Suite. Forming a significant part of the airline’s current five year £6.5bn investment program for customers, the airline will receive four A350-1000s in 2019 and will begin a phased refit of its existing long-haul fleet with the next generation Club cabin. Two current Boeing 777s will also receive the Club Suite this year and the airline will be taking a phased approach to its roll-out.

As part of its £6.5bn investment over five years, the airline is revamping its First, World Traveller Plus and World Traveller cabins, rolling out industry-leading WiFi across its aircraft, opening new lounges and delivering great menus from the world’s leading airline caterers.

The flight time will be 8 hours 15 minutes from LHR to DMM, and 9 hours 10 minutes from DMM to LHR.
Timetable for the Winter season 2019:

Flight number	Frequency	Departure airport	Departure time	Arrival airport	Arrival time
BA125	Daily	LHR	11:30	BAH	20.55
BA125	Daily	BAH	21:55	DMM	22:45
BA124	Daily	DMM	00:30	BAH	01:10
BA124	Daily	BAH	02:20	LHR	06:40

Above Copyright Photo: British Airways Boeing 777-236 ER G-VIIR (msn 29322) FLL (Bruce Drum). Image: 105013.

British Airways aircraft slide show:

British Airways welcomes its new Airbus A350-1000 and unveils its new Business Class “Club Suite”

British Airways has unveiled its highly-anticipated new business class seat – ‘Club Suite’ – and confirmed it will arrive on the first of its Airbus A350 aircraft in July.

The airline’s sophisticated and newly-branded ‘Club Suite’ offers direct-aisle access, a suite door for greater privacy and luxurious flat-bed seats in a 1-2-1 configuration. Boasting 40 per cent more storage, including a vanity unit and mirror, WiFi, enviable 18.5-inch inflight entertainment screens*, high definition gate-to-gate programming, and PC / USB power; every aspect of British Airways’ Club Suite has been designed for today’s customer.

The A350 aircraft itself will also promote a feeling of well-being, space and calm due to its reduced noise levels, high ceilings and ambient lighting which is intended to compliment the time of day and outside light. Customers will leave their flight feeling rested thanks to higher levels of humidity and refreshed air as the cabin pressure is equivalent to an altitude of just 6,000 feet. There are also environmental benefits to flying on the state-of the-art A350 as 25 per cent lower fuel burn significantly reduces CO2 emissions.

As well as a new 56-seat Club World cabin, the three-cabin A350 will feature the latest World Traveller Plus cabin (56 seats) with new furnishings including a plush new pillow and warm quilt, new amenity kits and an enhanced service and an improved dining experience. The World Traveller (economy) cabin offers 219 seats. Customers will also benefit from high-speed WiFi, allowing travellers to browse the internet on their personal electronic devices.

The airline, which is marking its centenary this year, will roll out the new suites in a carefully managed programme designed to minimise disruption to customers.

During phase one, the first A350 aircraft will start some short-haul flying between London and Madrid to allow the airline’s teams to perfect their customer service delivery and familiarize cabin crew with the aircraft layout.

In phase two, from October 1, 2019, the aircraft will begin long-haul flying. During this period another three A350 aircraft will join the British Airways fleet and two Boeing 777 aircraft will also be retrofitted with the new cabin.

At the start of 2020 phase three will begin which will see British Airways rolling out its Club Suite on further long-haul aircraft across the network.

Alex Cruz, British Airways’ Chairman and CEO, said: “The arrival of our first A350 featuring our new Club Suite is one of the most exciting developments in our £6.5 billion investment programme.

“Each new suite has direct aisle access and comes with a personal door – design features which were incorporated as a direct result of the feedback we’ve had from our customers. We’ve worked hard to ensure every aspect of the Club World experience from the lounges we’ve refreshed, to the new gourmet menus from Do&Co on flights from Heathrow, and the luxurious bedding we’ve introduced from The White Company exudes the very British style and quality customers expect from us.

“At British Airways we have one of Europe’s largest long-haul fleets and most far-reaching global networks, so it will take some time to make the cabin available to everybody. We hope that as more customers have the chance to experience it, they’ll enjoy travelling in it as much as we’ve enjoyed designing it.”

As part of British Airways’ £6.5 billion investment for its customers, the airline is also delivering changes to its First, World Traveller Plus and World Traveller cabins, delivering exceptional new restaurant-style catering from Do&Co, rolling out industry-leading Wi-Fi on board and opening new lounges across the world. New routes being launched this year include Osaka, Pittsburgh and Charleston.

Over the next five years British Airways will take delivery of 72 new aircraft, including four new types: The Airbus A350-1000, Boeing 787-10 for long-haul as well as A320 and A321 Neo aircraft for short-haul.

In addition to this the airline has also recently placed an order for 18 Boeing 777-9 aircraft.

Over the last four years the airline has taken delivery of 57 new, fuel efficient aircraft, including A380s and Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

By 2020 British Airways will have received 100 new aircraft in less than a decade.

Photos: British Airways Airbus.

British Airways selects the 1973 Negus livery as the fourth heritage livery on G-CIVB

British Airways released this statement:

After much speculation, British Airways has today revealed the fourth and final design in its series of heritage liveries to mark the airline’s centenary – a Boeing 747 painted in the Negus design.

The Boeing 747-400, registration G-CIVB, entered the IAC paint bay at Dublin Airport last Saturday where it is being repainted with the first version of the Negus livery which adorned the British Airways fleet from 1974-1980, directly after the merger of BOAC and BEA and the formation of the airline customers know today.

When it initially flew, the Negus livery was the first time an aircraft had carried “British Airways“ since 1939, when the original British Airways Limited merged with Imperial Airways to form BOAC. Interestingly, the Union Flag is not present on the side of the aircraft as, like the final BEA aircraft livery, the flag began to be fully celebrated on the aircraft’s tailfin instead.

The repainted 747 will return to Heathrow and enter service later this month flying to long-haul destinations served by the Boeing 747, with the design remaining on the aircraft until it retires in 2022.

The Negus is the fourth and final heritage design to be painted on a British Airways aircraft following a British Overseas Airways Corporate (BOAC) liveried Boeing 747, a British European Airways (BEA) Airbus 319 and a British Airways Landor 747, all of which are already flying.

The special series of designs are being introduced to mark British Airways’ centenary, as the airline celebrates its past while looking to the future. Alongside the heritage liveries, all new aircraft entering the fleet, including the A350, will continue to receive today’s Chatham Dockyard design.

Alex Cruz, British Airways’ Chairman and CEO, said: “Rumours have been circulating for quite some time about this final livery, so it’s exciting to confirm it is the Negus design. It’s particularly significant for us because it’s the first design worn by the British Airways that we all know today, with the distinctive lower case ‘a’ and the Union Flag on the tailfin.”

Below is a video of the 747 aircraft which will be painted in the Negus livery departing Heathrow for Dublin earlier this month:

In its centenary year British Airways is hosting a range of activities and events. As well as looking back, the airline is also hosting BA 2119 – a program, which will lead the debate on the future of flying and explore the future of sustainable aviation fuels, the aviation careers of the future and the customer experience of the future.

The airline will be working with expert partners to identify BA’s 100 Great Britons; the people up and down the country who are currently shaping modern Britain, and of course, the year would not be complete without some special flying and moments for customers.

The centenary activity is taking place alongside the airline’s current five-year £6.5bn investment for customers. This includes the installation of the best quality WiFi and power in every seat, fitting 128 long-haul aircraft with new interiors and taking delivery of 72 new aircraft. The airline will also be introducing a new Club World seat with direct aisle access later this year.

Editor’s Note: BOAC Boeing 707 G-AXXY was the first aircraft to wear the Negus and Negus livery in September 1973. BOAC and BEA merged officially on April 1, 1974.

British Airways aircraft slide show (historic liveries):

Below Copyright Photo: British Airways Boeing 747-136 G-AWNP (msn 20952) MIA (Bruce Drum). Image: 102983.

Red Nose Day soars to new heights with British Airways

British Airways has made this announcement:

As millions of people across the country don a Red Nose for Comic Relief, British Airways has unveiled an aircraft that will be wearing a Red Nose of its own for the cause. Painted on to an A320, the airline is raising awareness of Red Nose Day as it announces a target to reach £25million for Comic Relief by 2020. The Red Nosed plane will travel to various locations across the UK and Europe.

Through Flying Start, the airline’s global charity partnership with Comic Relief, British Airways has been fundraising to help change the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged people in the UK and around the world.

Red Noses will be handed out in exchange for donations by celebrity look-a-likes at gates in Terminal 5, while Sir Chris Hoy, Gorka Marquez and Anton Du Beke have been hosted on flights and at British Airways sites to boost fundraising among BA customers and colleagues.

British Airways customers and colleagues have raised over £20 million since the Flying Start partnership with Comic Relief began in 2010, reaching the milestone target more than a year ahead of schedule. These vital funds have supported more than 620,000 people in the UK and in some of the world’s poorest communities.

The funds raised by British Airways have:

– Provided vaccinations to over 100,000 children in countries across sub Saharan Africa, protecting them from potentially deadly diseases

– Helped to empower young girls through a project in Kenya which aims to raise awareness to address gender-based violence

– Supported community healthcare in South Africa to help prevent the transmission of HIV from expectant mothers to their babies

– Supported over 1,000 children in India forced to live on the streets or in to work by providing healthcare, informal education and vocational training opportunities

– Supported thousands of vulnerable young people in the UK, including over 2,700 young carers, at risk of social exclusion and harmful behaviours, helping to improve wellbeing, confidence and life skills
The airline has announced that it aims to reach £25 million by the end of 2020, supporting projects in communities in the UK and around the world in partnership with Comic Relief. £2million of the funds raised will be specifically invested in projects which focus on early childhood development in communities that British Airways flies to. The airline will continue to support mothers2mothers and enable them to launch new project work in Ghana. Eight community projects across the UK will also be supported, focusing on early intervention by supporting maternal mental health and wellbeing, in turn supporting positive mental health and attachment into parenthood.

Alex Cruz, British Airways’ Chairman and CEO, said “We’re proud of our longstanding partnership with Comic Relief and what better way to get involved in Red Nose Day than to fly a giant red nose around the globe on one of our aircraft.

“Comic Relief does fantastic work in the UK and overseas. The funds raised by Flying Start so far are testament to the generosity of our customers, the hard work of our Flying Start team and everyone that supports this work. Let’s keep going to £25 million!”

British Airways is encouraging customers who spot the Red Nose Day aircraft to share their images on social media using the hashtag #RedNoseDay.

Liz Warner, CEO at Comic Relief, commented: “British Airways is a fantastic partner that has given us a tremendous level of support since the Flying Start partnership began in 2010. Hitting the £20 million mark a year ahead of schedule is an incredible achievement and something that we at Comic Relief are extremely grateful for.”

British Airways unveils again the Landor livery on G-BNLY, departs for Miami

Boeing 747, reg G-BNLY, arrived at Heathrow this morning in the recognizable Landor livery
The aircraft will take to the skies on long-haul routes currently served by the Boeing 747
British Airways is painting selected aircraft in heritage designs to mark its centenary

Saturday March 9, 2019 – British Airways today welcomed the arrival of the third in its series of four heritage liveries – a Boeing 747 painted in the Landor design, which will be recognizable for many as it flew on British Airways aircraft between 1984-1997.

(Picture by Nick Morrish/British Airways)

The Boeing 747-436, registration G-BNLY, touched down at Heathrow this morning and will enter service this afternoon to Miami as flight BA211. It will be flying to long-haul destinations served by the Boeing 747-400, with the design remaining on the aircraft until it retires in 2023.

The aircraft marks the third heritage design to join the fleet, with one final design to be revealed later this month as the airline continues to celebrate its past while looking to the future in its centenary year. As with the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) liveried 747, and the British European Airways (BEA) liveried A319, the aircraft can be followed using tracking website Flightradar24.

The centenary activity is taking place alongside the airline’s current five-year £6.5bn investment for customers. This includes the installation of the best quality WiFi and power in every seat, fitting 128 long-haul aircraft with new interiors and taking delivery of 72 new aircraft. The airline will also be introducing new Club World seat with direct aisle access later this year.

Photos Above: British Airways.

Above Copyright Photo: British Airways Boeing 747-436 G-BNLY (msn 27090) LHR (SPA). Image: 945933.

British Airways aircraft slide show:

Video:

British Airways invests in its first class product

British Airways issued this statement:

British Airways is set to deliver significant changes to the onboard product and service in its First cabin as part of its £6.5bn investment for customers.

The new look and feel, set to take to the skies from March 31, will include new bedding, amenities and menus that would not look out of place in a revered five-star British hotel.

The airline’s First customers will be offered super-soft, sophisticated new male and female loungewear designed exclusively by luxury British fashion brand, Temperley London. The loungewear will be coupled with bespoke British Airways amenity bags, featuring Temperley’s “Star” design. The bags will be filled with products from No 1 British Skincare brand, ELEMIS, including products from the highly sought after ULTRA SMART PRO-COLLAGEN range*. The amenity kit contains the essentials to cleanse, revive and hydrate.

The airline’s chefs have also designed new delicious A La Carte menus that focus on fresh seasonal ingredients of British provenance. The new menus will be served on elegant bone china crockery, designed exclusively for the airline by high-end British tableware designer William Edwards. The new tableware will be accompanied by contemporary cutlery from Studio William.

The airline will also be introducing a new signature afternoon tea service, showcasing the great British tradition of high tea. The menu will include a selection of sandwiches, delicate pastries and scones, as well as a wide range of tea infusions.

As part of the changes, British Airways is also investing in new Dartington glassware. Travellers will now be able to enjoy the airline’s fine wines and champagnes from sophisticated stemware, while soft drinks and spirits will be served from elegant cut-glass tumblers.

Carolina Martinoli, British Airways’ Director of Brand and Customer Experience, said: “As part of our £6.5bn investment for customers, we’re changing parts of the travel experience in our First cabin. Our teams of designers, chefs and customer service experts have carefully thought through the details we know matter most to our customers.

“In this, our centenary year, we’ve sought out some of the best British designers and manufacturers to work with to ensure travelling in First with British Airways is an unforgettable experience.”

The airline’s First customers will benefit from an improved turndown service for the perfect night’s sleep, thanks to new luxurious 400 thread count bedding, accompanied by a foam fibre mattress topper. Customers will also receive a stylish new day blanket and bolster cushion.

And those wishing to relax and enjoy the 1,000 hours of programmes available on the in-flight entertainment channels, can do so through high performance headphones crafted by Meridian, the British Pioneers of High Resolution audio.

British Airways’ First customers continue to have access to the airline’s exclusive First Wing at Heathrow Terminal 5. Re-designed and unveiled in 2017, the First Wing provides customers with a private check-in area leading through to dedicated security lanes, which grant customers direct access to British Airways’ prestigious First Lounge.

2019 is British Airways’ Centenary year. The airline is investing £6.5 billion for customers over five years, including new aircraft, new cabins, new catering, new lounges, WiFi, and new routes.

* ULTRA SMART PRO-COLLAGEN is a new bespoke range of skincare that adapts to individual needs to preserve and promote younger looking, luminous skin.

Female amenity bags contain:

Cleansing micellar facial wipe

Soothing apricot facial wipe

Pro-collagen rose mist

Ultra smart pro-collagen matrix moisturiser

Ultra smart pro-collagen eye cream

Hydra-nourish lip balm

Sea lavender and samphire hand cream

Fortitude deodorant

Male amenity bags contain:

Ultra smart pro-collagen eye cream

Ultra smart pro-collagen matrix moisturiser

Cleansing micellar facial wipe

Skin soothe shave gel

Fortitude deodorant

Hydra-nourish lip balm

British Airways unveils its second retro livery – BEA

British Airways announced on social media (below) the arrival of its second retro livery as part of BA100. Airbus A319-131 G-EUPJ (msn 1232) now wears the livery of predecessor BEA – British European Airways.

The skies may be grey, but G-EUPJ is gleaming in her retro BEA livery. Thanks IAC Ltd for doing such a great job!

The airline also issued this more formal statement:

A319, reg G-EUPJ, arrived at Heathrow this morning in British European Airways colors
The aircraft will fly domestic and European routes, heading first to Manchester
British Airways is painting selected aircraft in heritage designs to mark its centenary

Monday March 4, 2019 – British Airways today unveiled the second in its series of heritage liveries – a British European Airways (BEA) design on an Airbus A319 – as it touched down at Heathrow this morning.

The arrival drew large crowds to Shannon, where the aircraft was painted, and Heathrow, British Airways’ home.

The A319, registration G-EUPJ, is adorned with the BEA livery, which flew predominantly on domestic and European routes between 1959 and 1968. However, there is one significant difference with the replica; the aircraft will have a grey upper wing, rather than the traditional red, to meet current wing paint reflectivity requirements.

The aircraft, which has been painted to mark British Airways’ centenary, enters service this afternoon with its maiden commercial flight in its new colors to Manchester. After this, it will continue to fly routes across the UK and Europe, with the design remaining on the aircraft until it retires next year. As with the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) liveried 747, the aircraft can be followed using tracking website Flightradar24, which will feature a special image of the livery.

Picture by: Stuart Bailey

The BEA liveried A319 is the second aircraft with heritage designs to enter the British Airways fleet following the arrival of its BOAC 747 long-haul counterpart last month. Next to arrive with be another 747, this time with a British Airways Landor livery. And one final design will be revealed later this month as the airline celebrates its past while looking to the future.

The centenary activity is taking place alongside the airline’s current five-year £6.5bn investment for customers. This includes the installation of the best quality WiFi and power in every seat, fitting 128 long-haul aircraft with new interiors and taking delivery of 72 new aircraft. The airline will also be introducing new Club World seat with direct aisle access later this year.

G-EUPJ has now arrived at the London Heathrow base.

Photos: British Airways.

Below Copyright Photo: BEA – British Airways Airbus A319-131 G-EUPJ (msn 1232) LHR (Antony J. Best). Image: 945932.

50 Years of the Concorde

The 50th Anniversary of the first BAC-Aerospatiale Concorde flight was on March 2, 2019. Concorde 001 made its first test flight from Toulouse on March 2, 1969.

From Wikipedia:

Scheduled flights began on January 21, 1976 on the London–Bahrain and Paris–Rio de Janeiro (via Dakar) routes, with BA flights using the Speedbird Concorde call sign to notify air traffic control of the aircraft’s unique abilities and restrictions, but the French using their normal call signs. The Paris-Caracas route (via Azores) began on April 10. The US Congress had just banned Concorde landings in the US, mainly due to citizen protest over sonic booms, preventing launch on the coveted North Atlantic routes. The US Secretary of Transportation, William Coleman, gave permission for Concorde service to Washington Dulles International Airport, and Air France and British Airways simultaneously began a thrice-weekly service to Dulles on May 24, 1976.

Of the twenty aircraft built, 18 are still intact and in museums around the world.