British Airways Showcases Serious Customer Investment with Flight of Fancy

Fashion in the sky at British Airways A380 Johannesburg launch

UK's largest international airline with a worldwide route network, British Airways recently brought together the best of Britain and South Africa at 30,000 feet over Johannesburg to showcase how its £5 billion investment is benefitting customers.

Some 200 guests including top Springbok try scorer Bryan Habana, lock Flip, van der Merwe, Freshlyground singer, Zolani Mahola and a host of others were treated to two hours of non-stop entertainment and extravagance on board British Airways’ new A380, the airline’s largest and most modern aircraft.

Guests enjoyed a very special Champagne high tea at take off  created specially by The Saxon and South Africa’s top chef, David Higgs featuring a raspberry union jack macaroon and vanilla biscuit dress.

The A380 became the longest runway in the sky for a fashion show of British Designer collections for the summer season presented by Harrods, the world’s most famous luxury department store. Looks were shown from Stella McCartney, Jenny Packham, Alexander Mcqueen, Victoria Beckham, Mathew Williamson, Ralph & Russo and Temperley and teamed with Jimmy Choo shoes and jewellery by Astley Clarke, Monica Vinader, Shaun Leane + Lara Bohinc.

It then doubled as a 30,000 foot-high stage for a live performance by multi-award winning Afro-fusion band Freshlyground, who’s lead singer Zolani opened the 2010 World Cup singing Waka Waka with Shikira. Freshlyground performed a unique rendition of Shake it and Flower Duet Lakme, British Airways’ iconic theme tune.

Speaking on at two-hour launch flight, Frank van der Post, British Airways’ managing director, brands and customer experience, and Erik Venter, Comair chief executive outlined the enhancements being introduced for domestic, regional and international customers.

It has worked with top chefs to improve the quality and choice of food on board with the A380 First service includes a five-course tasting menu. Locally Comair runs its own in-flight catering operation, Food Directions, to provide customers with top-quality, fresh, tasty meals including hot, cold and snack meal options.

On the ground a new international departures lounge, modelled on the Galleries Lounges in Terminal 5, has just opened at Cape Town International Airport. The departures lounge at OR Tambo, which has been reconfigured to accommodate the A380, will be refurbished toward the end of the year.

British Airways operated by Comair’ lounges, known as the SLOW Lounges, have proved popular with travellers and have set new standards for South African airport lounges, winning numerous local and international awards. Owing to high demand, the Cape Town facility will be expanded later this month, providing more space and comfort.

A new British Airways credit card, launched this week in partnership with Barclays, offers priority check in and other benefits, and the best Avios earn rate in South Africa.