British Airways News Page 37
BA cuts free snacks as Marks & Spencer comes on-board
British Airways is partnering with Marks & Spencer to offer customers on short-haul flights the option to purchase a premium food range at 35,000ft. The new menu will replace the airline’s current complimentary snacks. It will include items from the M&S Food on the Move selection and will be available in the economy cabin on short-haul and domestic flights from Heathrow and Gatwick from January 11th, 2017, and from London City and London Stansted by summer 2017.
British Airways launches improved distribution capability with KAYAK
British Airways has launched a New Distribution Capability alongside travel search engine KAYAK. KAYAK is integrating British Airways in its facilitated booking path by using the British Airways developed NDC. This will enable customers to have a better booking experience by directly booking British Airways flights through KAYAK websites.
IT glitch causes delays at British Airways
An IT glitch at British Airways has seen passengers delayed at UK airports. Passengers at Gatwick and Heathrow were being checked-in using back-up systems with technicians working to resolve the issue.
British Airways launches marketing push with Brand USA
British Airways has launched a new multi-platform marketing campaign, including a new TV ad, to promote its World Sale which runs until September 21st. The airline is launching a brand new tactical TV campaign, with a ten-second animated advert designed by BBH and based on creative by British illustrator James Joyce.
British Airways returns to Tehran
British Airways has confirmed it will resume direct flights to Tehran. The first flight will take off from London today, after the flag-carrier initially suspended the route four years ago.
British Airways goes live with new website
A brand new British Airways homepage and flight booking process for customers has gone live as part of a beta test to upgrade the airline’s hugely popular website and make it even easier to use. ba.com is viewed by over half a million unique users every day, using it to inspire, plan, and manage their trips around the world.
Team GB return on-board British Airways plane victoRIOus
The British Airways plane flying Team GB home from the Rio 2016 Olympic Games has been named ‘victoRIOus’ by the carrier. The gold-nosed plane will return the successful athletes to British soil today. The name, which was one of a short-list of four selected by the athletes and British Airways staff, was chosen by hundreds of fans on Twitter in a recent poll.
British Airways inks deal with China Eastern
British Airways is set to gain access to the domestic Chinese market as it launches a new partnership with Shanghai-based carrier, China Eastern Airlines. With its gleaming skyscrapers and ancient temples China is more accessible than ever before as the British carrier will start selling flights to Kunming, Xi’an, Nanjing, Hangzhou and Chongqing on a BA flight code, while the Chinese carrier will sell British Airways flights to Aberdeen, Belfast City, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, Manchester and Newcastle on their MU flight code.
Iberia gains Japanese anti-trust immunity alongside oneworld partners
Japan’s ministry of land, infrastructure, transport and tourism has granted an extension of the anti-trust immunity to include Iberia in the joint business between Japan Airlines, British Airways and Finnair. The decision will allow the four airlines to cooperate commercially on flights between Europe and Japan. Iberia is expected to join the existing joint business between the other three airlines as from October 18th, 2016.
British Airways releases cockpit video of London City Airport landing
British Airways has released a cockpit video showing the steep approach into London City Airport to celebrate the airline’s bespoke business-class only service completing 25 million miles – the equivalent to 100 trips to the moon or circling the earth 1,000 times. The footage, filmed from the pilots’ perspective in the flight deck, now gives everyone the chance to see the amazing aerial views of the capital’s iconic skyline.
British Airways i360 to open in Brighton
British Airways i360, the world’s tallest moving observation tower, will open on Brighton seafront on Thursday. Groups of up to 200 visitors will glide up gently to a height of 138 metres in a futuristic, fully enclosed, hand-crafted glass viewing pod to admire breath-taking 360-degree views across Brighton, the South Downs and the beautiful south coast.
International Airlines Group reports robust results despite slump in sterling
International Consolidated Airlines Group has reported second quarter operating profit €555 million before exceptional items for the six months to June 30th, 2016. This compared to an operating profit of profit of €530 million for the same period last year. Removing recently acquired Aer Lingus from the figures would have left IAG with operating profits of €487 million.