Let the games begin: our British Olympians and Paralympians get ready to throw down the gauntlet in Japan this summer

BA NEWS • February 2020

The best of BA news

British Airways is appointed official airline partner of Team GB and ParalympicsGB; a year-round route to Portland, Oregon, takes flight; three lounges are given a fresh look; plus AI-powered robots get to work at Heathrow

British Airways and Team GB and ParalympicsGB take Tokyo 2020
As the official airline partner for Team GB and ParalympicsGB, British Airways will fly hundreds of athletes and support teams to and from the Tokyo Games this summer. The airline has been supporting British Olympic and Paralympic athletes since 2008, ensuring they get the best possible start to their journey, and a memorable celebratory return home. To mark the announcement, athletes from a range of competing sports (pictured top of pagewere in attendance to launch the partnership at Heathrow. To find out more, click here

Portland added to British Airways’ route network
British Airways is launching a five-per-week service to America’s quirkiest city, Portland, Oregon from 1 June 2020, making it the first airline to offer a year-round direct flight from the UK. Flights will depart from Heathrow, upping the airline’s US destination tally from London to 27, and the number of daily flights offered by British Airways and American Airlines’ transatlantic partnership to 86 per day. The route will be operated by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, with return fares starting from £459 in World Traveller, £758 in World Traveller Plus and £1,399 in Club World. Customers can cut the cost using Avios part payment.

Portland

Chicago, Edinburgh and Berlin lounges get a refresh
British Airways is making improvements to several lounges across the network which are all set for completion by late spring 2020. First and Club lounges at Chicago will be upgraded with new décor, flooring and furnishings to enhance relaxation and create a more interactive welcome. Similar refurbishments will be made in Edinburgh, while customers using the British Airways lounge in Berlin will also reap the benefits of an interior overhaul. To find out more about the airline’s lounges, click here

British Airways’ offsetting scheme takes off
British Airways is now offsetting carbon emissions on all flights taken within the UK. Emissions from flights within the UK will be offset by the airline and invested in the highest quality, verified carbon reduction projects around the world, including renewable energy and protection of rainforests. Customers flying beyond the UK can also reduce their environmental impact by using the airline’s carbon offsetting tool, which, in partnership with not-for-profit charity Pure Leapfrog, gives them the ability to make their flight carbon neutral. To offset your emissions, click here

lounges


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