British Airways observes 75 years of flights to Japan
From 1955 to 1974, kimonos were worn by BOAC’s (the precursor to British Airways) Japanese stewardesses operating flights between Japan and the United Kingdom
British Airways is launching its latest Business Class Club Suite cabin, on flights between London Heathrow and Tokyo Haneda, as it marks 75 years of flights between the UK and Japan.
From October 31, British Airways will be the only airline offering a Business Class suite with a full privacy door on direct flights between the UK and Japan.
The airline’s Club Suite flat-bed seat offers direct aisle access and a suite door for greater privacy in a 1-2-1 configuration. Boasting 40 percent more storage, including a vanity unit and mirror, Wi-Fi and 18.5-inch inflight entertainment screens. The latest business class seats will be available on flights BA6 and BA5, operated by the B777-300ER fleet.
Across the Club World cabin, customers enjoy a luxurious plush pillow and warm quilt from The White Company, an amenity kit and an improved dining experience.
From September 1, passengers travelling in the airline’s First cabin (available on all Tokyo flights between September 1 2023 and March 29, 2024), to and from Tokyo will be given bespoke loungewear and amenity kits designed by luxury British fashion brand, Temperley London, products from ELEMIS, including the renowned ULTRA SMART PRO-COLLAGEN range and bedding made from recycled plastic bottles.
Drawing on inspiration from heritage menus in the airline’s extensive archive, chefs have created celebratory dishes for all four cabins, that will be served on Heathrow to Haneda flights from September 1 to October 31. Passengers will be able to enjoy the most popular dishes that were served on the route in 1969 - beef stroganoff and beef cheek okaribayaki – and the airline has also created a celebratory cherry meringue gateau, the signature dessert enjoyed by flyers on the London to Anchorage sector that same year.
“It all started with a flying boat and now Tokyo is one of our longest-served and most valued destinations. We’re incredibly proud of our heritage – it’s been our pleasure to connect British travellers with Japan since 1948 – and we look forward to serving them for the next 75 years and beyond as we continue our investment into new products, customer experience and technology,” commented Colm Lacy, British Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer in an August 23 press release.
