British Airways customers were surprised to find a special out-of-this-world guest, a Dalek while travelling through Heathrow’s Terminal 5 on Friday.

British Airways customers were surprised to find a special out-of-this-world guest, a Dalek while travelling through Heathrow’s Terminal 5 on Friday.

Much to the surprise of those waiting in the Arrivals hall to meet loved ones, one of Doctor Who’s fearsome foes was seen keeping a watchful eye over British Airways’ arriving customers. The Dalek also mysteriously appeared in Departures where confused customers spotted one of the planet’s best-known villains checking in for a flight to Skaro, an extra-terrestrial destination that isn’t normally on British Airways’ route network.

The unscheduled arrival of the Dalek in British Airways’ home at Heathrow Terminal 5 marked the new partnership between British Airways and BBC Studios to celebrate Doctor Who’s 60th anniversary, which includes the launch of a dedicated Doctor Who inflight entertainment channel, available for all the airline’s customers travelling on long-haul flights from November 1. The new channel features 13 acclaimed episodes of the longest running science fiction television series in the world.

Calum Laming, British Airways’ Chief Customer Officer, said: “We are really excited to be partnering with the BBC’s Doctor Who to create a dedicated channel on our inflight entertainment system, another fantastic British Original partnership that we know our customers will love. This year alone we have doubled the amount of content available on our in-flight entertainment, and we are committed to continue to bring the best, out of this world, entertainment to the skies.” 

Sarah Bold, Head of Marketing, Scripted at BBC Studios, said: “Doctor Who has been inspiring and entertaining audiences globally for an incredible 60 years and we couldn’t miss this opportunity to bring two iconic British brands together in style to celebrate. Travellers and subscribers will be able to enjoy a curated collection of content and the tie in will reach millions of people throughout the partnership.”

The new Doctor Who inflight entertainment channel on board British Airways’ flights, to celebrate the 60th Anniversary, includes 13 different episodes from series 1-13. Alongside this, customers can enjoy up to *80+ box sets such as And Just Like that Season 2, plus 15+ classic franchises, including Back to the Future and The Matrix, and over *700 pieces of audio, including BBC Proms 2023 Classics and UK true-crime podcast They Walk Among Us. In November, customers can enjoy new release movies such as Scrapper, a British Comedy/Drama, The Haunted Mansion or Meg 2: The Trench.

Doctor Who returns from November 25th on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK and Disney+ for the rest of the world, with three special episodes with David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor to coincide with the 60th anniversary.

The Fifteenth Doctor, played by Ncuti Gatwa, will then take control of the TARDIS, with his first episode airing over the festive period in 2023. Ncuti Gatwa also features in British Airways’ latest safety video.

Doctor Who is one of the longest running action-adventure television series in the world spanning 60 years and winning over 100 awards. This quintessentially British show has a huge global following, with 9.6m fans across social platforms/channels and 100m video views on YouTube in the last year alone. It has been honoured by Guinness World Records as the longest running science-fiction series in the world. Doctor Who has a proven track-record in consumer products and live entertainment with over four and a half million Sonic Screwdrivers sold in the past eleven years, over 13 million action figures sold since 2005, over 19 million DVDs sold globally and over one million tickets sold for live events.

British Airways returns to Riga.....

Monday, October 30 - British Airways’ first flight in more than 15 years, from London Heathrow to Latvia touched down at Riga International Airport (RIX) yesterday at 19.05 local time.

The inaugural service received a warm local welcome as it taxied to stand, with traditional drummers greeting customers as they stepped off the aircraft.

This winter, British Airways will operate three times a week between its home at Heathrow (Terminal 5) and the Latvian capital, with flights departing on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. 

Flights are operated by a mix of A320 and A321 aircraft, with return fares available from 85 EUR/ 73 GPB or 1 EUR + 23,500 Avios, British Airways’ loyalty club currency. On board the 2 hours 50-minute flight, customers can enjoy the airline’s quintessentially British product and service, and Executive Club members can earn and redeem miles on their flights.  

Neil Chernoff, British Airways’ Director of Network and Alliances said: “We’re excited to further strengthen our connections between London and the Baltics and be back in Latvia after such a long time. Riga is a destination we know our customers will love, and we look forward to welcoming leisure and business travellers and those visiting family and friends on board the new service.” 

British Airways first flight to Accra

British Airways’ first flight from London Gatwick to Accra touched down at Kotoka International Airport (ACC) yesterday at 18.26 local time.

The inaugural service received a warm West African welcome as it taxied to stand, with dancers, drummers and a VIP delegation, including the British High Commissioner to Ghana, Harriet Thompson, greeting customers as they stepped off the aircraft. Crew members arrived in their new uniform, designed by British-Ghanaian master tailor, Ozwald Boateng OBE.

British Airways is now operating three times a week from the Ghanaian capital to London Gatwick, giving travellers more choice of flight times and airports. Flights depart Accra at 21.20 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, landing into Gatwick at 04.00. A fourth weekly service will be added to the route timetable from April next year.

Neil Chernoff, British Airways’ Director of Network and Alliances said: “With 11 direct flights, across two London gateways, we’re pleased to offer our Ghanaian customers a greater choice of products and prices. Overall, we’re doubling the number of seats between Accra and London, with 55 per cent more capacity next summer versus 2019. We are always looking at routes and regions where there is potential for growth and Accra is one of those routes and Africa is one of those regions.”

Daily flights from London Heathrow to Accra are served by the airline’s A350 fleet, British Airways’ newest and more-fuel efficient aircraft type, featuring the latest generation business class seat, Club Suite.

The new route also adds cargo capacity between the two capitals, increasing opportunities for Ghanaian exporters to get perishables and other goods to market more quickly through IAG Cargo, the cargo division of International Airlines Group, British Airways’ parent company.

To celebrate the increase in the number of flights between Africa and London, the airline is bringing Afrobeats to travellers, with an exclusive playlist available onboard from November 1. Global DJ sensation, Cuppy, has curated her top tracks for the airline’s inflight entertainment system bringing feel-good vibes right to customers’ seats.

British Airways is a global full-service airline that operates flights to more than 65 countries. British Airways customers have access to one of the world’s most extensive flight networks, both domestically and internationally, offering flights to and from central airports at convenient times and through its sustainability programme, BA Better World, the airline is committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. 

British Airways has completed the final phase of its Heathrow Terminal 6 lounge refresh

British Airways has completed the final phase of its lounge refresh, located at London Heathrow Terminal 5’s B gates, with a range of improvements for customers to enjoy ahead of their flight.

The airline has introduced new features in its T5B lounge for its premium customers*, including a live food preparation area with brand-new seasonal menu options. Customers can watch their meals being garnished with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

British Airways has completed the final phase of its lounge refresh at London Heathrow Terminal 5B, introducing a new servery area, deli station, updated furniture and a quiet zone

Customers who wish to help themselves to food can select from a range of hot and cold dishes that are available in the airline’s redesigned deli area. The new deli station offers more choice than ever before, including a range of breakfast treats, sandwiches and light bites.

Elsewhere in the lounge, the airline introduced new bespoke furniture, flooring and soft furnishings, to bring an elevated look and feel to the lounge. The airline has also introduced a quiet zone for those who wish to relax pre-flight.

The completion of the airline’s lounge refresh follows the unveiling of British Airways' exclusive Whispering Angel bar earlier in the summer. The airline’s customers travelling through its lounge can enjoy a chilled glass of the famous rose ahead of their trip.

British Airways also recently refreshed its First and Club (business class) lounges at London Heathrow Terminal 3. The Club lounge now features a new bar with new furniture and in the airline's First lounge customers will find an exclusive Concorde Bar and dining area.

The airline has also installed a brand-new bar in its First lounge at London Heathrow Terminal 5. Customers will be able to order a range of premium drinks from bubbles to mocktails, all selected by the airline’s Master of Wine.

British Airways’ Chief Customer Officer, Calum Laming, said: “We know that the airport experience is an important part of the journey for our customers, especially our premium customers, and we’re always listening to their feedback.

British Airways has also installed a brand-new bar in its First lounge at London Heathrow Terminal 5, to elevate the premium experience for customers

"We want to ensure we offer something for everyone using our lounges, whether that’s providing an area for those who wish to relax, catch up on work or somewhere for our customers to enjoy our British Original-inspired dishes. We hope these changes go a long way in making a difference to our customers’ experience before their flight.”

On board, British Airways has introduced brand-new snack boxes to all its long-haul flights for customers travelling in World Traveller (economy) and World Traveller Plus (premium economy). This includes a selection of sweet and savoury treats for customers to choose from, such as chocolates, biscuits and popcorn. The tuck box will be passed through the cabin by the airline’s cabin crew colleagues and offered to customers as a mid-flight snack, offering more choice on board.

The airline recently announced improvements across its other lounges, with new furniture added to its Concorde Room and Arrivals lounge at London Heathrow Terminal 5. Day beds will also be coming to its Concorde Room later this year. Elsewhere, British Airways is implementing new touches to its Edinburgh lounge in the coming months, as well as a brand-new bar and an enhanced menu offering in its Seattle lounge next year.

Most recently, the airline announced that it has created the ultimate martini in its Concorde Room, in partnership with mixologist Mr Lyan and designed by engineering experts, Bremont and CALLUM.

 

British Airways is bringing Nigerian-born musician, Cuppy’s Afrobeats to flyers

British Airways is bringing Nigerian-born musician, Cuppy’s Afrobeats to flyers, with an exclusive playlist available onboard from November 1. Londoner, Cuppy, whose DJ skills have taken her to over 30 countries across the globe, has curated her top tracks for the airline’s inflight entertainment system.

To celebrate the increase in the number of flights between Africa and London with the launch of British Airways’ new route from Accra to London Gatwick - in addition to its daily services to London Heathrow - Cuppy has created a playlist that transports travellers to a far-away paradise before their flight has even touched down.

Customers across British Airways’ entire long-haul network will be able to enjoy tracks including “Jollof On The Jet” and “Feel Good”, blending spicy African beats with hip hop and reggae.

Musician, frequent flyer and philanthropist, DJ Cuppy, said: “Like British Airways, music has the power to transport us to different places around the world so I’m super excited to partner with them on their first ever Afrobeats playlist, bringing feel-good vibes right to flyers’ seats. I’m pleased to add this exclusive mix to their extensive music collection and hope customers sit back, plug in their headphones and turn the volume up!”

British Airways will launch daily flights to Abu Dhabi next year

        British Airways will launch daily flights to Abu Dhabi next year, following a four-year hiatus.  The flights have gone on sale now and the route is scheduled to start on 20 April 2024, serving the UAE’s capital on a year-round basis from London Heathrow.

Famous for its towering architecture, rich culture, desert landscapes, magnificent beaches and world-class attractions, this Middle Eastern metropolis is enjoyed by those looking for an eclectic mix of culture, relaxation and adventure.

The new flight will be operated by a Boeing 787-9 aircraft in summer 2024 and will boost connectivity to the UAE as it joins flights to neighbouring Dubai, which operate up to three-times daily from Heathrow.

To celebrate the launch, British Airways is offering return fares from £449 in World Traveller (economy) and £1,999 in Club World (business class), available to book before 12 November 2023. Executive Club Members will be able to purchase Reward Seats from £100 + 50,000 Avios.

Neil Chernoff, British Airways’ Director of Network and Alliances, said: “Abu Dhabi is a unique destination that is making a very welcome return to our network. With a blend of beach, city and desert, it has everything our customers are looking for in a Middle Eastern trip, and we look forward to welcoming them back on board as we grow our footprint in the UAE.”

Maureen Bannerman, Abu Dhabi Airports Chief Commercial Officer, said: “We’re delighted to welcome British Airways back to Abu Dhabi International Airport, adding to the growing list of leading carriers set to use Terminal A as their operational base in Abu Dhabi. A luxurious new gateway to Abu Dhabi, Terminal A will open to the public from November 1st, offering state-of-the-art facilities for both passengers and airlines.”

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Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) from London Heathrow (LHR) All times are local
Season	Flight number	Departing LHR	Arriving AUH	Flight number	Departing AUH	Arriving LHR
Summer ‘24	BA73	22:25	08:30+1	BA72	10:10	15:20
Winter ‘24	BA73	22:25	09:30+1	BA72	11:10	15:20

IAG Cargo launches Constant Climate in Cincinnati

IAG Cargo has expanded its Constant Climate global network that serves the pharmaceutical, bioscience and healthcare industry adding Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport as an approved station.

IAG Cargo has over 100 approved stations across six continents 

Cincinnati’s strategic location serves as an ideal station, facilitating freight forwarders throughout the United States in transporting an array of healthcare items from vaccines to clinical trial medicines.

IAG Cargo, the cargo division of International Airlines Group (IAG), has announced this week Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky International Airport as its latest station in the United States to be approved to transport time and temperature-sensitive healthcare products. Bringing the total number of approved Constant Climate stations in the United States to 21. 

This newly established station will facilitate the movement of pharmaceuticals that require precise time and temperature management between Cincinnati and London Heathrow. It will leverage IAG Cargo’s extensive network which links six continents to transport critical cargo such as vaccines, medicinal drugs and clinical trial medication around the world. This service will be of special interest to pharmaceutical customers located in Ireland and India whose life-saving medicines frequently transit through London Heathrow to the United States.

Jordan Kohlbeck, Head of Pharmaceutical at IAG Cargo, added: “We are very excited about the opening of a new Constant Climate station at Cincinnati airport. The opening of Cincinnati will allow us to support more customers globally and provide another route by which they can utilise our cold chain solution to transport their key pharmaceuticals. We look forward to working with our partners and customers to increase our pharmaceutical offerings with this new addition.” 

IAG Cargo’s Constant Climate product is a state-of-the-art cold chain solution that caters specifically to the transportation of pharmaceuticals, such as vaccines, biotech products, diagnostics samples, or any other temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical material. During the first half of 2023, Constant Climate, IAG Cargo’s cold chain product for transporting pharmaceutical products, experienced a 45 per cent increase in the volume of pharmaceuticals transported across its network compared to the previous year. 

IAG Cargo’s new 10,000m2 facility New Premia at London Heathrow, launched in May 2023, features a cutting-edge Constant Climate Quality Centre (CCQC) for pharmaceuticals, with 27 dedicated cool cells and temperature facilities available from +2°C to +8°C (COL), +15°C to +25°C (CRT) and -20°C (FRO) ensuring sensitive shipments are held in a temperature-controlled environment at all times.

British Airways and Griffin Global Asset Management complete four aircraft sale and lease back deal

Griffin Global Asset Management has announced the purchase and leaseback of two new Boeing 787-10 aircraft and two new A350-1000 aircraft on long-term lease to British Airways.

“Griffin is extremely pleased to welcome British Airways as a new customer with the deliveries of these two 787-10s and two A350-1000s.  Our management team has a relationship with British Airways that spans decades, and we look forward to continuing to support their growth for many years to come. The A350 and B787 are core to BA’s fleet renewal program, and these four new fuel-efficient aircraft will assist the group in furthering its agenda to put sustainability at the heart of their business,” said Marc Baer, President of Griffin.

Griffin is a commercial aircraft leasing and alternative asset management business with offices in Dublin, Ireland, Puerto Rico, and Los Angeles, CA.  Griffin’s team of aviation professionals works closely with airlines, OEMs, and financiers to deliver customized fleet solutions and innovative financing products to airlines globally.  

British Airways has partnered with Alzheimer’s Society this Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, highlighting the work being done to help end the devastation of dementia

Earlier this week, the UK's leading legacy carrier, British Airways announced a new three-year partnership with Alzheimer’s Society, a charity that works with people living with and affected by dementia. The charity provides expert support services, ground-breaking research discoveries and leading campaigns to make dementia a priority – and is the only UK charity to cover all three areas.

In addition to raising vital funds that will support life-changing services and ground-breaking research for people with dementia, the new partnership will also see the airline working closely with Alzheimer’s Society on a number of initiatives. These include bespoke customer service dementia training for customer-facing colleagues and the uptake of Dementia Friends across the organisation, an initiative that will help British Airways colleagues learn how to better support customers, family and friends affected by the condition. As the partnership progresses, British Airways will also review and implement changes internally to work towards making the airline even more dementia-aware.

Alzheimer’s Society has become a beneficiary of the airline’s BA Better World Community Fund, which marks its commitment to investing in communities across its network, providing life-changing opportunities and generating more positive impact to help those who need it most. Since its launch in April 2022, the BA Better World Community Fund has raised more than £3.4 million and now supports more than 170 charities across the UK.

For someone living with dementia, travel can seem like an impossible challenge. Symptoms including disorientation, memory loss and difficulties in planning can cause people with dementia to lose track of their surroundings and get lost, even in familiar places, and feel unsafe or uncertain of finding assistance if they need it.

End of summer sale on now with British Airways and British Airways Holidays.

British Airways and British Airways Holidays have launched their end-of-summer sale, offering flight and holiday savings for travel in both 2023 and 2024. 

Running until 3 October 2023, the sale features short and long-haul destinations, with highlights including European beach holidays from £219pp, New York City breaks £499pp and Caribbean resort stays from £599pp. 

Claire Bentley, Managing Director of British Airways Holidays, said: “We are excited to announce our holiday sale to popular travel destinations. Whether you desire a quick getaway or a long-awaited trip to visit family and friends, we have offers to suit all. We remain dedicated to providing our customers with ample choices, flexibility, and value.” 

Travellers looking for transatlantic flight-only options can book return flights to New York from £333, Orlando from £373, Boston from £370, San Diego from £428 and Chicago from £419. 

British Airways and BA Holidays launch sale.....

British Airways and British Airways Holidays have launched their end-of-summer sale, offering flight and holiday savings for travel in both 2023 and 2024. 

Running until 3 October 2023, the sale features short and long-haul destinations, with highlights including European beach holidays from £219pp, New York City breaks £499pp and Caribbean resort stays from £599pp. 

Claire Bentley, Managing Director of British Airways Holidays, said: “We are excited to announce our holiday sale to popular travel destinations. Whether you desire a quick getaway or a long-awaited trip to visit family and friends, we have offers to suit all. We remain dedicated to providing our customers with ample choices, flexibility, and value.” 

Travellers looking for transatlantic flight-only options can book return flights to New York from £333, Orlando from £373, Boston from £370, San Diego from £428 and Chicago from £419. 

British Airways marks 75 years of flying to Japan

75 years ago, British Airways forerunner British Overseas Airways Corporation - BOAC became the first British airline to operate passenger flights between the UK and Japan.  

On 19 March 1948, BOAC extended its Poole-Hong Kong Plymouth class flying boat service to Iwakuni. In November, the weekly service was further extended to Yokohama, Tokyo, with flights taking seven days and stopping at seven cities on the route - Augusta, Alexandria, Karachi, Calcutta, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Iwakuni.

To celebrate this milestone anniversary, British Airways is launching its latest business class seat, reintroducing its First cabin, and offering menus inspired by traditional dishes previously served on this route for customers to enjoy

To commemorate this milestone, the airline is launching its latest business class Club Suite cabin, on flights between London Heathrow and Tokyo Haneda. From 31 October, British Airways will be the only airline offering a business class suite with a full privacy door on direct flights between the UK and Japan. Club Suite has been designed to offer privacy, comfort and space for customers wanting to work, rest and play.  

Colm Lacy, British Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer, said: “It all started with a flying boat and now Tokyo is one of our longest-served and most valued destinations. We’re incredibly proud of our heritage – it’s been our pleasure to connect British travellers with Japan since 1948 – and we look forward to serving them for the next 75 years and beyond as we continue our investment into new products, customer experience and technology.”

British Airways to start services to Cologne, Belgrade and Riga

British Airways has announced additions to its route network from London, including new destinations Riga in Latvia and Belgrade in Serbia from London Heathrow, adding more choice for customers who can now choose to travel with British Airways from London to more than 120 short-haul destinations.

Riga, Latvia (RIX)

British Airways will launch a three-times weekly service from London Heathrow from 29 October 2023. Flights will operate on a mix of A320 and A321 aircraft, with return fares available from £73, or £1 + 23,500 Avios.

Riga is the largest city both in Latvia and the Baltic states. Home to the world’s largest food market, it is renowned for its foodie scene, alongside its eclectic architecture and lush green spaces.

Belgrade, Serbia (BEG)

British Airways will launch a three-times weekly service from London Heathrow from 31 October 2023. Flights will operate on a mix of A320 and A321 aircraft, with return fares available from £105, or £1 + 23,500 Avios.

Eastern Europe’s Belgrade is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, attracting visitors with its compelling history, exciting nightlife, and buzzing Bohemian quarter, Skadarlija.

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Cologne, Germany (CGN)

British Airways will launch a 12-times weekly service from London Heathrow from 30 October 2023. Flights will operate on a mix of A320 and A321 aircraft, with return fares available from £92, or £1 + 18,500 Avios.

In addition to major landmark Cologne Cathedral, Cologne is home to world-class museums, the historic old town and a bustling scene of traditional German food and drink.

Further additions to the network

BA Cityflyer, British Airways’ subsidiary based at London City Airport, will launch a weekly service to Milan Linate Airport (LIN) to complement the existing flights from London Heathrow. The flight will operate on the Embraer 190 aircraft on Sundays from 5 November 2023, with fares from £112.

Weekly winter flights from Heathrow to Turin, Italy (TRN) will also become available on Sundays from 10 December 2023. This will complement the current daily service from London Gatwick with BA Euroflyer, British Airways’ Gatwick-based subsidiary. Return fares are available from £120.

BA updates its inflight entertainment offerings....

The UK's leading legacy carrier, British Airways has greatly enhanced its in-flight entertainment offering, by doubling the content available for customers to watch. The airline now offers a wide range of brand-new content on board, including boxsets, movies, podcasts, children’s programmes and more.

British Airways expects more than one million customers* to watch content on its long-haul flights this month, with 75+ complete boxsets and 20 classic franchises now available on board for August. Those ready to embark on a movie marathon can choose from more than 50 new releases including Paint, Love Again and The Covenant, as well as a range of exclusive content for British Airways through its Paramount+ partnership, such as Rabbit Hole: The Algorithms of Control, The Flatshare and Grease: Rise of The Pink Ladies. Movie boxsets include the complete Harry Potter series, Indiana Jones and Mission Impossible, allowing customers to binge-watch much-loved blockbuster content from the comfort of their seat.

The airline now has more than 70 complete boxsets and 20 franchises available on its flights across every cabin, offering more choice for customers when they travel

Music lovers can also settle in and listen to more than 770 pieces of audio, including the popular NewlyWeds podcast, starring Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo. For customers who prefer some light-hearted comedy, the airline has a range of British Original content, including highlights from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2022, such as The Fringe, Fame and Me and Just for Laughs.

British Airways doubles its inflight entertainment programme.

The UK's leading legacy carrier, British Airways has greatly enhanced its in-flight entertainment offering, by doubling the content available for customers to watch. The airline now offers a wide range of brand-new content on board, including boxsets, movies, podcasts, children’s programmes and more.

British Airways expects more than one million customers* to watch content on its long-haul flights this month, with 75+ complete boxsets and 20 classic franchises now available on board for August. Those ready to embark on a movie marathon can choose from more than 50 new releases including Paint, Love Again and The Covenant, as well as a range of exclusive content for British Airways through its Paramount+ partnership, such as Rabbit Hole: The Algorithms of Control, The Flatshare and Grease: Rise of The Pink Ladies. Movie boxsets include the complete Harry Potter series, Indiana Jones and Mission Impossible, allowing customers to binge-watch much-loved blockbuster content from the comfort of their seat.

The airline now has more than 70 complete boxsets and 20 franchises available on its flights across every cabin, offering more choice for customers when they travel

Music lovers can also settle in and listen to more than 770 pieces of audio, including the popular NewlyWeds podcast, starring Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo. For customers who prefer some light-hearted comedy, the airline has a range of British Original content, including highlights from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2022, such as The Fringe, Fame and Me and Just for Laughs.

Wildfires in Rhodes prompt evacuation flights for troubled tourists

The horrendous wildfires on the Greek islands have left scores and scores of tourists needing to be evacuated from the affected areas, with Rhodes being particularly badly hit.

Some of the leading UK holiday airlines are adding extra services to the islands to bring people home early. 

Jet2 has cancelled all flights and holidays going to Rhodes for at least seven days. The company is operating five empty aircraft to the island over the next few hours to bring people back. 

Tui has cancelled all its flights to the island until Wednesday, however, it advises that customers currently in Rhodes will only be able to return on their intended flights home

easyJet has said it intends to operate two rescue flights today, with another tomorrow in addition to its normal nine scheduled flights between Rhodes and the UK

British Airways said its flights to Rhodes were running as normal, but passengers are able to postpone and / or change their flights free of charge. 

Thomas Cook has axed some holidays to affected areas and offered a refund to those customers. Customers with packages booked this week to other areas of Rhodes will be offered the option to either continue with plans or cancel and get a refund. 

Ryanair is operating flights as per normal schedule, yet is monitoring the situation carefully.

Corfu is beginning an evacuation, with almost 2500 people moved to safety overnight and more will be moved today according to local firefighters. 

Local news agency ANA-MPA has reported that parts of the island of Evia have also been or are in the process of being evacuated. Residents in Livadi, Potami, Pernaraki and Platanisto - have been told to evacuate for precautionary measures and move towards the area of Karystos.

British Airways launches new "British Airways Speedbird Pilot Academy" to train the aviators of tomorrow.....

Private training costs for aspiring pilots can cost around £100,000

The UK's leading carrier, British Airways this week confirmed it was launching a brand-new pilot cadet programme that will fund training for up to 60 aspiring pilots each year.

The British Airways Speedbird Pilot Academy will see the incredible cost barrier of training to become an airline pilot, which can be as much as £100,000, removed, making the profession much more accessible. Successful candidates will be offered a place at an approved flight training school and, upon passing the course, a position as a British Airways pilot, helping the airline to ensure it has the right levels of future flying talent for years to come.

British Airways’ new Speedbird Pilot Academy will fund up to 60 places per year at an approved flight training school, with those who pass the course offered a job as a British Airways pilot

With initial training that can cost tens of thousands of pounds, the price of becoming a pilot has made the profession prohibitive for many. This cost will now be funded by British Airways – with a multi-million-pound investment from the airline into its next generation of pilots – making it a genuine career path for all aspiring pilots.

The airline remains committed to further increasing diversity in the aviation industry and is determined to increase awareness, visibility, and applications to this new cadet programme to people from all backgrounds – not just those who can afford the initial training costs.

Sean Doyle, British Airways’ Chairman and CEO, said: “The Speedbird Pilot Academy will make the ambition of becoming a British Airways pilot a reality for people who’d previously written the option off because of the cost barrier.

“Our aim is to attract the very best talent out there for our future generation of pilots. Whether someone is just leaving school or embarking on a second career they never thought possible, we’re levelling the playing field by removing the initial training cost barrier to make a flying career more accessible to a wider range of people and giving everyone an equal chance.

“We fly to more than 200 destinations around the world on a range of aircraft types, providing pilots with an abundance of opportunities and making a career as a British Airways pilot extremely rewarding. This first-in-a-generation initiative will allow anyone to make it a reality.”

British Airways is trialling a new digital wayfinding tool to help customers navigate through London Heathrow.

British Airways is trialling a new digital wayfinding tool to help customers navigate through London Heathrow. The new technology offers maps of both London Heathrow Terminal 5 and Terminal 3, helping customers who are travelling through the airline’s London hub to locate their departure gate and points of interest including shops, lounges and restaurants. The new wayfinding tool allows customers to navigate the airport more confidently, saving time and reducing the chance of missing their flight.

The tool provides clear directions and information on the airport layout, allowing customers to have a more seamless experience through London Heathrow. Through an interactive map, customers can click on areas of interest including shops and gain information about the location, opening times, and a description on items that can be purchased. The tool also allows bathrooms, seating areas and information points to be easily located.

Customers who are connecting between flights, can also input the details of their inbound and connecting flights and are then given step-by-step instructions along with an animated map on how to get from the arrival gate through flight connections to their connecting flight departure gate.

The trial which began in June is available to all customers who are travelling through London Heathrow, and can access the tool through QR codes on digital screens in London Heathrow or by visiting wayfinding.maps.ba.com. As part of the trial, links to wayfinding have also been sent to all customers travelling into London Heathrow and connecting from destinations including New York JFK, Dubai, Mexico City, Atlanta, Dallas Fort Worth and Houston.

Calum Laming, British Airways’ Chief Customer Officer, said: “We always want to make travelling through the airport as easy as possible for our customers, so we’re really excited to be trialling a new wayfinding tool this summer. The interactive map is simple to use, allowing our customers to easily locate their departure gates and discover nearby restaurants and shops for some last-minute duty-free shopping, and for those customers who are eligible, our lounges. Of course, our fantastic colleagues will still be on hand to help as well.”

British Airways making changes to how customers can collect Avios .......

British Airways has announced that the way customers collect Avios will be updated from 18 October 2023, including the ability to collect Avios on ancillary purchases for the first time.

The way British Airways Executive Club Members collect Avios is transforming from 18 October 2023, offering Members a transparent, consistent and simplified way to collect Avios

Under the new collection model, Members can earn up to nine Avios per £1 spent, depending on their Tier status

From the same date, additional enhancements will allow Members to collect Avios on ancillary purchases, such as upgrades and pre-paid seat selection

It means that customers will soon be able to collect Avios when purchasing additional items such as upgrades, pre-paid seat selection and excess baggage, either in advance or at the airport. The amount of Avios collected per flight will be based on the amount paid rather than distance travelled, in a more consistent and clearer approach.

Members booking flights from 18 October 2023 will collect the following Avios depending on their Tier status:

Blue members will receive 6 Avios per qualifying* £1 spent

Bronze members will receive 7 Avios per qualifying £1 spent

Silver members will receive 8 Avios per qualifying £1 spent

Gold members will receive 9 Avios per qualifying £1 spent

This new model will also apply to flights marketed by Iberia**.

British Airways has opened its exclusive Whispering Angel rosé bar for customers travelling through its lounge at the B gates at London Heathrow Terminal 5

British Airways’ highly anticipated Whispering Angel bar, located in the airline’s lounge in Terminal 5 at the B gates, has opened in time for the peak summer season.

British Airways is the first airline to have a bespoke Whispering Angel bar, allowing customers to enjoy a chilled glass of the infamous rosé that originates in the Provence vineyards of Château d’Esclans before their flight.

The opening of the exclusive bar marks the first phase of British Airways’ continued refresh of this lounge over the summer months, which will include new and reupholstered furniture across the lounge, as well as a new layout.

Across the rest of the airline’s Club (Business Class) lounges at Heathrow and Gatwick, eligible British Airways customers can enjoy The Pale rosé, which is produced by the same winemakers as Whispering Angel. Whispering Angel is currently available in British Airways’ Concorde, First and Club lounges.

Calum Laming, British Airways’ Chief Customer Officer, said: “We are really excited to open the doors on our new original Whispering Angel bar, just in time for the start of the summer season. What’s more, the opening coincides with the exciting news that customers now have the option to pre-order Whispering Angel across all short-haul flights, to take the experience with them, from the ground to the skies.”

The Château d'Esclans team said: “We are ecstatic to finally be able to share our beautiful Whispering Angel bar with British Airways’ customers, and bring a touch of glamour to Heathrow as the world’s most glamorous rosé. We look forward to travellers being able to enjoy a delicious glass of Whispering Angel before they fly, in a space that really embodies the effortlessly chic nature of our brand.”

Elsewhere, the airline has introduced a rosé in its First cabin with Whispering Angel’s big brother, Rock Angel, now available for customers* and boasting more structure than its younger sibling. Customers travelling on short-haul flights can also get a taste of Château d’Esclans’ creations, as Whispering Angel’s Provence rosé is now available to pre-purchase through the airline’s newly branded High Life Café** (previously Speedbird Café), giving customers the option to taste a hint of summer whether they are travelling to Europe or further afield.

The Whispering Angel partnership adds to an expansive premium drinks offering, following British Airways’ appointment of a full time Master of Wine, one of only 415 in the world and believed to be the only one appointed by an airline. In elevation of the onboard wine offerings to customers, in March 2023 British Airways introduced four new English Sparkling Wines served on board. Each wine is available on a quarterly rotation, changing every three months to customers travelling in Club World, including the current Champagne resident Heidsieck & Co. Monopole Silver Top Non-Vintage Champagne, and now an exclusive English Sparkling Wine option.

Château d’Esclans’ Whispering Angel boasts a delicate Provençal pink hue, spoiling customers with sun-kissed creamy flavours of peach and raspberries, with refreshing citrus undertones and a smooth, dry finish.