British Airways lands at Beijing’s airport of the future, driverless baggage vehicles on trial at Heathrow, a new partnership with The British Red Cross and this year’s Dreamflight of deserving children enjoy the trip of a lifetime

First flight in: Beijing Daxing International Airport

British Airways became the first international airline to touch down at Beijing’s new state-of-the-art airport (pictured above) since it opened in September. This first flight, on a Boeing 777-300 with four cabins, marks the start of a daily service into the airport from Heathrow. The 700,000m² Beijing Daxing airport, designed in partnership with British firm, Zaha Hadid Architects, is one of the most technologically advanced in the world, boasting an array of high-tech and energy saving innovations. Fares from London to Beijing start at £414 return. Avios part payment options are available for Executive Club Membersranging from£393.42 plus 2,000 Avios to £213.42 plus 42,500 Avios.

British Airways lounges get an upgrade

British Airways has unveiled three further lounge refurbishments at Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport, Linate airport, Milan and Geneva, as part of its £6.5 billion investment in customer experience. The carefully curated lounges deliver on regionally-inspired design aesthetics and zones that cater to varying customer needs – including work, relaxation, socialising and dining. For more information on lounges, see the gallery below.

What’s more: From 3 January to 3 February 2020, Viceroy Hotels is taking over the Gold Bar at the airline’s Galleries First Lounge at Heathrow. It will be gifting a selection of high-end chocolates and treats to customers travelling in First class, as well as offering lounge users the chance to win a five-night hotel stay, including flights from Gatwick, to Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort in St Lucia. 

British Red Cross and British Airways join forces

For World Kindness Day, British Airways and the British Red Cross have teamed up to support communities in crisis. Over the next year, investment will ensure the recruitment, training and support of staff and volunteers who offer vital day-to-day emergency services across the UK. The initiative also includes support for the charity’s family reunification programme, as well as travel assistance for emergency relief workers tackling global issues. British Airways employees will be encouraged to undertake their own acts of kindness, including signing up to become a Red Cross volunteer. To find out more about the partnership, click here

Driverless vehicles and artificial intelligence make for a speedier getaway from Heathrow

In an effort to improve punctuality and maintain its commitment to a greener airside operation, British Airways is trialling emissions-free baggage vehicles at Heathrow that use the latest navigation technology to plot the most efficient routes around the airport. British Airways has also become the first airline in the world to use artificial intelligence to help its people ensure every flight departs safely and on time. The technology captures every moment of an aircrafts arrival and departure in order to identify areas of potential improvement. 

Dreamflight takes off for Orlando

The most recent Dreamflight to take to the skies,British Airways flight BA 9117 flew 200 children affected by serious illness or disability from Heathrow to Florida in partnership with the UK-based charity. A specially chartered BA jumbo jet departs for a ten-day trip each year made possible thanks to support from the airline’s award-winning crew and Dreamflight’s doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and non-medics. This year, after boarding through a magical castle, children were joined by Paralympic gold-medallist Liz Johnson and a team of volunteers dressed as superheroes. To find out more about BA’s important charity work, let this month’s Guru tell you more

For all the latest British Airways news, click here

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This article has been tagged BA, Travel Tips