Chennai : British Airways hosted a special evening in Chennai to celebrate 25 years of flying to Chennai on Friday, 8 November 2013 at the British Deputy High Commissioner’s residence. On 3 November 1988, British Airways’ Lockheed TriStar 200 took to the skies connecting Heathrow Terminal 4 and Madras via Kuwait twice a week.

The celebratory event witnessed a unique and exquisite fashion show presented by British Airways’ Heritage Centre featuring chic cabin crew uniforms down the years. The fashion show was presented and choreographed by Jim Davies of British Airways Heritage Centre.

The airline’s cabin crew members including the former Miss India Manisha Kohli, a member British Airways’ cabin crew, showcased the delightful collection at the special evening. The show exhibited distinctive collection of uniforms created by British airways’ in-house design teams in collaboration with celebrated fashion designers reflecting its brand value and cultural diversity, through every fashion era since the 1940s.

To mark its yet another landmark achievement in India, British Airways is pleased to launch an online contest, ‘Chen’nice Trivia’, which goes live today on ba.com and ends on 30th November. The online contest on ba.com, will give once in a lifetime opportunity to British Airways’ lucky customers to win 25 free return tickets to London from Chennai across its Club World, World Traveller Plus, and World Traveller cabins.

The British Deputy High Commissioner, Chennai, Bharat Joshi said, “I am very pleased to host this landmark occasion for British Airways to celebrate 25 years of flying to Chennai. It is a very joyous occasion for all of us in Chennai.

“I am delighted to see British Airways add more flights to Chennai to cater to the increased growth in international travel from here and to further enhance the strong business ties between India and the UK. I do hope we celebrate another 25 years of British Airways’ service to Chennai.”

Commenting on the occasion, Christopher Fordyce, Regional Commercial Manager, British Airways, South Asia, said, “This year has been very special for British Airways as we continue to expand our footprint in India. In addition to our sixth direct service to Chennai, we have also increased our frequency to Hyderabad from London-Heathrow. We see tremendous growth opportunities from these two markets and they form a very critical part of our Indian strategy. With our additional services, our customers will be able to enjoy our award-winning on-board services and best connections to the world with more and better flight options.

“We, at British Airways, would like to thank Mr Bharat Joshi, British Deputy High Commissioner, Chennai, for hosting us and joining in our celebrations..”

British Airways recently welcomed its sixth direct flight to Chennai, adorning six yards of traditional Kanchipuram silk, from London-Heathrow owing to growing customer demand from Chennai and increase in outbound tourism from business and leisure travellers.

British Airways’ B777-200 aircraft is now operating six times a week between Chennai and London Heathrow. The flights operate from Chennai all days in a week, except Thursday and from London all days except Wednesday. Customers travelling with British Airways to Chennai are promised a memorable experience in a three class configuration, offering flat beds in Club World, our premium economy, World Traveller plus and World Traveller seats.

With this development, British Airways now operates 48 flights a week from five key cities in India, which include –Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore.