British Airways Celebrates 90 Years Leading The Travel Industry
Released
on: August 25, 2009, 5:51 am
Author: Charlotte Lawrence
Industry: Travel
British
Airways celebrates 90 years of leading the travel industry, since
Transport & Travel Ltd (a precursor to British Airways) launched
the world's first commercial flight which departed from London
to Paris on August 25 1919.
Since
then, the airline
has carried more than 1.2 billion customers on its extensive route
network, and become recognised as one of the world's elite carriers.
Paying
tribute to the airline, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "British
Airways has never lost the pioneering spirit and vision that saw
it take to the skies with the world's first daily international
flight from London to Paris on this day in 1919.
"Ninety
years on, the world's most iconic airline is still proudly flying
the flag and remains a great British brand. Many congratulations
to all its staff - past and present, on this special day."
British
Airways chairman Martin Broughton said: "Over the past nine
decades, British Airways has played its part in many historic
episodes. We provided the first air links to far-flung capitals
in the days of empire, flew Winston Churchill across the Atlantic
during wartime, brought Queen Elizabeth back to Britain after
the passing of George VI, repeatedly led the way with aircraft
innovation and have often proudly transported home our sports
teams from success overseas.
"We
have a rich history supporting Britain and will carry this forward
to our centenary and beyond."
90
years on from that first Paris flight, British Airways now offers
up to nine daily
flights to the French capital of fashion and romance, all
ideal for a Paris
holiday British Airways offers great deals on a wide range
of Paris
hotels, coupled with affordable fares on flights.
The
airline is marking its anniversary in a variety of ways. Swarovski,
has loaned a giant bejewelled Union Flag to the airline. The stunning
4ft by 2ft artwork is embossed with more than 126,000 crystallized
Swarovski Elements and will be in the British Airways arrivals
lounge in Terminal 5 until September.
An
internal exhibition will showcase memorabilia from nine decades
of travel, while customers in Terminal 5 have been treated to
members of the BA cabin crew, along with TV personality Kirsty
Gallacher, modelling vintage uniforms in the terminal in the run
up to its anniversary week.
Ends
Notes to Editors:
On August 25, 1919 George Stevenson-Reece became the first fare-paying
passenger on a scheduled international flight - from Hounslow
Heath to Le Bourget Airport in Paris. He flew in a single Rolls-Royce
engined Airco DeHavilland 4A, piloted by Captain E.H. Lawford.
Flying time was more than three times what it is today at 2 hours
30 minutes. The fare was 42 guineas return (the equivalent of
£1,706 today).
About
British Airways / British Airways Holidays Ltd
British Airways Holidays Ltd. is a fully owned subsidiary of British
Airways plc, which offers a range of flight
routes, hotels, car rental and experiences. With many money-saving
special offers available; and the security of travelling with
British Airways, British Airways Holidays Ltd can add peace of
mind to holiday plans. Working very closely with colleagues at
British Airways, British Airways Holidays constantly seeks to
exceed customers' expectations, both in terms of the value for
money and quality of the service provided.
British Airways / British Airways Holidays Ltd PR contact:
Charlotte Lawrence
01293 722513
Astral Towers
Betts Way
London Road
Crawley
RH10 9XA
www.ba.com