BA News • February 2016
New routes to Greece and Costa Rica; Apple Watch scanners come to Heathrow; and Carry on star Barbara Windsor gets cheeky with the pilots
Greece is the word
Two Greek destinations have been added to BA’s summer 2016 schedule. Kalamata, on the mainland in the Messinian Bay, is renowned for its sandy beaches and 13th-century castle. Chania, in Crete, connects travellers to the Samariá Gorge national park and the mountainous scenery of the island’s western coast. Flights are available to book now for travel from 30 April 2016.
Get closer to the rich coast
From 4 May 2016, BA will offer a non-stop service between Gatwick and Costa Rica’s capital San Jose. From exploring the cloud forest to wildlife spotting and surfing, this is the perfect destination for a tropical adventure.
Hitting new heights
Next summer Brighton will be home to the world’s tallest moving observation tower, at 162 metres high. Called the British Airways i360, visitors will board the glass viewing pod at ground level before ascending to the top for a far-reaching view of the coastline.
Watch this space
New hand-held scanners at Heathrow Terminals 3 and 5 will make it easier for customers to check in using an Apple Watch. The new gadgets have been installed in response to growing demand from customers, who will now find it quicker to scan their boarding passes, print bag tags and speed through the airport.
Carry on flying
A group of BA pilots were met with a familiar giggle when Barbara Windsor visited the airline’s Heathrow base. The former Eastenders actress was there to announce that all the Carry On films (in which she starred during the 1960s and 1970s) are being shown on the in-flight entertainment system for the first time.
Entry point
UK citizens can now get through US passport control faster by joining Global Entry, the US Customs and Border Protection programme. Benefits include no processing queues, no requirement to complete a paper Customs declaration form, reduced waiting times and TSA Precheck eligibility (which means faster, more efficient security screening at participating US airports). To apply, click here
This article has been tagged BA, Travel Tips