British Airways is poised to become the first airline in Europe to introduce both the Airbus A380 and the Boeing 787 into its fleet. 

The airline will take delivery into the UK of its first two 787s on consecutive days, June 26 and 27, followed by its first A380 on July 4. They will arrive around mid-morning.   

Keith Williams, chief executive, said: “The delivery of these exciting aircraft opens a new chapter in British Airways’ history. We are proud to be leading the way in Europe in operating both these aircraft types. 

“Over the next 12 months, we will take delivery of new long-haul aircraft at an average rate of one every two weeks. 

 “These deliveries form the centrepiece of the £5bn investment British Airways is making in new aircraft, smarter cabins, superb lounges and new technologies to make travel more comfortable in the air and on the ground. 

“Both aircraft types make major environmental advances and will contribute toward our ambitious targets for noise and carbon reduction.”

Following their arrival, both aircraft types will begin a complex ‘entry into service’ programme, which will see pilot and cabin crew training taking place at Manston Airport in Kent, customer service trials at Heathrow and short-haul flying for both aircraft, including flights within the UK. 

Seats on the A380 are currently on sale for travel from October 15 to Los Angeles and from November 15 to Hong Kong. However the airline is advising enthusiasts eager to be on the very first long-haul services to hold off booking as the dates of the inaugural services are yet to be announced. 

The first destinations for the 787s, and the date tickets go on sale, will be unveiled shortly. 

Further information and a CGI video of the new A380 can be found on the airline’s website: http://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/information/flight-information/airbus-a380 

For further information, please contact the British Airways press office on 020 8738 5100. 

Notes to Editors:

·British Airways has ordered a total of 12 A380s, 24 787s and six Boeing 777-300ERs for delivery over the next four years. Twenty-two of these long-haul aircraft are scheduled to come into the airline’s fleet by the end of summer 2014.

·The second A380 is due to be delivered in September 2013.

·IAG (British Airways’ parent company) has announced that it plans to convert 18 existing Boeing 787 options into firm orders for British Airways, and order 18 Airbus A350s for the airline. They will be used to replace some of the airline’s Boeing 747-400 aircraft between 2017 and 2023.

·Further information and a CGI video of the new A380 can be found on the airline’s website:http://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/information/flight-information/airbus-a380. Similar details for the 787 will be loaded on to ba.com when the aircraft goes on sale in the near future (yet to be announced).

For further media information please contact:

Andrew Baber

Fleishman-Hillard                      

P: (02) 9025 9286

E: andrew.baber@fleishman.com.au

About British Airways

• British Airways has a worldwide route network that covers more than 150 destinations in 75 countries
• British Airways operates a daily flight from Sydney to London via Singapore’s Changi Airport, the World’s Best Airport as announced at the 2013 World Airport Awards
• British Airways operates 17 return services per week between Hong Kong and London
• British Airways operates 14 return services per week between Singapore and London
• British Airways operates a daily return service between Bangkok and London
• In August 2009, British Airways celebrated its 90th anniversary. The airline has carried more than 1.2 billion customers on its extensive network and is recognised as one of the world’s elite carriers
• British Airways is one of the world's largest international airlines carrying approximately 36 million customers around the world every year
• British Airways has been operating in Australia for 77 years
• Australian flights operate from the multi-million pound refurbished Terminal 5, British Airways’ home at Heathrow that is capable of handling 30 million customers a year
• In September 2012, British Airways was recognised as “Best Airline” by readers of Business Traveller. The airline also took home “Best Business Class” and “Best Frequent Flyer Programme”
• In May 2013, Heathrow T5 was ranked by Skytrax as the World’s Best Airport Terminal for the second year running, based on surveys of 12 million frequent travellers. T5 also won the World’s Best Airport Shopping award

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