BRITISH Airways (BA) celebrates its 80th anniversary of flights to the Middle East with an event at the British Embassy in Kuwait. The airline's first flight to the region arrived in Kuwait in October 1932, under the banner of Imperial Airways, a predecessor to British Airways. The Handley Page HP42 aircraft took off from Croydon, just south of London, on Oct. 2, 1932. It traveled at just 160km/h and carried fewer than 20 passengers. Today, 80 years later, a British Airways flight from London Heathrow to Kuwait on a Boeing 747-400 takes approximately six hours, travels at 988kmh and can carry up to 345 passengers across four classes. Paolo De Renzis, Area Commercial Manager, Middle East and Central Asia, said: “The growth of the aviation industry has been one of the most significant developments in travel and we are especially proud to have been a part of it in the Middle East. British Airways has pioneered many aviation firsts and are currently two years into a £5 billion investment plan that includes new aircraft, smarter cabins, elegant lounges and new technologies.” As part of the 80th anniversary celebration, British Airways has organized a catwalk show of crew uniforms from throughout the decades. The uniforms depict the fashion and style of the times, with many having been designed by Britain's most famous designers and fashion houses. British Airways has also launched a special fare offer for Middle Eastern travellers to coincide with the anniversary. Customers can discover Europe, the US and Canada at special discounted fares if they book before Oct. 31. The fares are applicable for First, Club World (business class), World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and World Traveller (economy) are valid for travel before March 31, 2013. – SG
