British Airways (London) today (March 3) launched the new London (Heathrow)-Austin, Texas Boeing 787 route with the help of Texan Jerry Hall (formerly married to Mick Jagger). The inaugural flight is utilizing 787-8 G-ZBJC (see below).
Austin is British Airways’ 25th North American gateway and third in the state of Texas (Houston and Dallas being the other two). This is the first trans-Atlantic route between Austin and London.
The callsign for British Airways aircraft is Speedbird. The Speedbird symbol was designed by Lee-Elliott for Imperial Airways in 1932. It represents speed, flight and power – and became one of the most successful motifs of the twentieth century.
Speedbird 191 will arrive in Austin later today.
Read the full report from the Daily Mail: CLICK HERE
British Airways issued this statement:
British Airways today launches its inaugural flight between Austin, Texas and London, England. This marks the first regular trans-Atlantic nonstop service for the city of Austin. The inaugural flight into Austin Bergstrom International Airport will be met by Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell and British Airways EVP Americas Sean Doyle.
Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell and inaugural British Airways Captain Dave Willsher flying the 787 Dreamliner Simulator and welcoming British Airways to Austin, Texas. (PRNewsFoto/British Airways)
For this much anticipated route, British Airways will operate one of the newest aircraft in its fleet, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The service will be available five days a week, increasing to daily flights in May. The first flight is perfectly timed to help accommodate travelers from Europe heading to the international South by Southwest Conferences and Festivals.
The new aircraft features three cabins: Club World (business class), World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and World Traveller (economy). The cabins feature stylish new interiors with state-of-the-art entertainment systems. British Airways provides meals, snacks and beverages, including full-service bar for free. Customers can also benefit from a generous baggage allowance.
Top Copyright Photo: Keith Burton/AirlinersGallery.com. The pictured Boeing 787-8 G-ZBJD (msn 38619) was delivered on September 27, 2013.
British Airways: 
Bottom Copyright Photo: Fernandez Imaging/AirlinersGallery.com. G-ZBJC touches down in Austin on the historic first flight.
