British Airways Announces Smile High Gig Sets New Guinness World Records Title
Released on: March 16, 2011, 3:01 pm
Author:
British Airways
Industry: Travel
British Airways has set a new Guinness World Records title
with comedians Dara O Briain, Jack Whitehall and Jon Richardson, for
hosting the 'highest stand-up comedy gig in the world'.
The smile high gig, which took place on March 12, 2011 as part of the airline's
partnership with Comic Relief, raised almost £100,000 for Red Nose Day.
The comedians performed for 45 minutes at 35,000ft to a crowd of 180 guests and
prize winners to set the new world record. The comedy gig was hosted on flight
BA9230c on a dedicated British Airways A321 aircraft. The flight took off from
London Heathrow's Terminal 5 and flew over the UK for two and a half hours.
Keeping the crowd in high spirits, Jack Whitehall joked: "I was looking forward to
today - after all it's the only gig where people can't walk out. If you want to
heckle you'll have to press the call button."
Dara O Briain, who was last to perform, said: "I told the Captain I'd bang twice
on the locker like this when I was on - so he can take the aircraft to 37,000ft and
beat Jack and Jon's record!"
Since the partnership launched in June 2010, the airline has raised in excess of£700,000* for 'Flying Start' - the airline's charity partnership with Comic
Relief, which aims to transform the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged children
in the UK and around the world.
British Airways Captain Brian Connolly, said: "It was an honour to Captain this
very special flight today. I'm proud to be able to say that I'm a Guinness World
Records holder and, of course, a member of the Smile High Club!"
Footage from the event will be made available shortly at: www.youtube.com/britishairways
Further information can be found at www.facebook.com/britishairways.
Notes to Editors:
*figure accurate as of March 10, 2011
-British Airways would like to thank everyone who supported this flight, including
BA customers, the comedians – Dara, Jack and Jon, the Guinness World Records and Q8
for donating the fuel
- The event was adjudicated by Guinness World Records editor-in-chief Craig Glenday
- Fundraising was achieved through a text competition to win a place on board
- As of March 10, 2011 the airline had raised £95,800 from the 'highest stand up
gig' event. The final sum will be confirmed on Red Nose Day and is expected to
reach £100,000.
About British Airways:
British Airways plc offers a wide range of flights to worldwide destinations -
including flights to Glasgow and Dubai
flights. The
company also offers a number of holiday destinations such as holidays in Italy, Dubai
holidays and Paris holidays, as well as hotels and car rental. Customers can save time and money with ba.com
when booking ATOL protected holiday packages, ATOL number is 5985. Passengers are
offered added peace of mind to their holiday plans and the security of travelling
with British Airways. British Airways plc constantly seeks to exceed customers'
expectations, both in terms of the value for money and quality of the service
provided.
Press Contact:
Katja Cooper
Astral Towers
Betts Way
London Road
Crawley
RH10 9XA
01293 722513
www.ba.com
Back to previous page
Home page
Submit your press release