The last 10 years has arguably been one of the most eventful and revolutionary periods in the history of air travel. As the new decade commences, British Airways takes a look back at the innovations brought to the skies during the ‘noughties’ as well as some of the company’s fascinating landmarks.
The start of the new millennium saw a new era in comfort for British Airways passengers with the introduction of the world’s first fully flat business class bed.
In the year 2000, British Airways introduced World Traveller Plus, its premium economy product. The airline was the first global commercial carrier to introduce a fourth class of travel back in 2000.
The noughties was the decade of online check-in and in 2000, British Airways launched its online check-in service facility which is now available on over 97% of British Airways’ routes.
Following a brief return to service in the early part of the decade, in October 2003, British Airways finally announced the retirement of its seven-strong Concorde fleet, signalling the closure of the world’s only supersonic passenger service.
In 2003, the UK Government announced that ground-breaking iris-recognition technology was to be installed at 10 British airports following a successful trial involving British Airways passengers.
The technology was to be made available to all passengers travelling through the airports and provided automated clearance through immigration for certain frequent travellers, further cutting down transfer time through the airport. As of April 2008, IRIS was available in Heathrow Terminals 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
The noughties saw the evolution of ba.com to become a one-stop shop for British Airways customers, giving them greater control over their travel plans.
British Airways launched its new online boarding pass in 2004, allowing passengers to print their own boarding pass from home. Today it is available on over 95% of British Airways routes.
With climate change increasingly at the top of the global agenda, British Airways was the first airline anywhere in the world to introduce a voluntary scheme enabling customers to help offset the carbon dioxide emissions from their flights.
In a ground-breaking development of the online check-in facility, in 2008 British Airways unveiled its remote check-in via mobile phones with wireless connectivity.
The free facility is available in 11 languages, without any need to download accompanying software.
Heathrow’s Terminal Five was given the go-ahead in 2002 and opened in March 2008. The terminal redefined the airport experience, seeking to replace the queues, the crowds and the stress with space, light and calm.
The year 2009 saw the launch of the UK’s first mobile internet access on a transatlantic route with the introduction of OnAir, available on the British Airways service between London City and New York JFK. OnAir, which is exclusive to British Airways, provides onboard access to email, text messages and the Internet via passengers’ mobile phones once the aircraft has reached an altitude of 10,000 feet, which is normally around ten minutes after take-off.
The start of the new millennium saw a new era in comfort for British Airways passengers with the introduction of the world’s first fully flat business class bed.
In the year 2000, British Airways introduced World Traveller Plus, its premium economy product. The airline was the first global commercial carrier to introduce a fourth class of travel back in 2000.
The noughties was the decade of online check-in and in 2000, British Airways launched its online check-in service facility which is now available on over 97% of British Airways’ routes.
Following a brief return to service in the early part of the decade, in October 2003, British Airways finally announced the retirement of its seven-strong Concorde fleet, signalling the closure of the world’s only supersonic passenger service.
In 2003, the UK Government announced that ground-breaking iris-recognition technology was to be installed at 10 British airports following a successful trial involving British Airways passengers.
The technology was to be made available to all passengers travelling through the airports and provided automated clearance through immigration for certain frequent travellers, further cutting down transfer time through the airport. As of April 2008, IRIS was available in Heathrow Terminals 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
The noughties saw the evolution of ba.com to become a one-stop shop for British Airways customers, giving them greater control over their travel plans.
British Airways launched its new online boarding pass in 2004, allowing passengers to print their own boarding pass from home. Today it is available on over 95% of British Airways routes.
With climate change increasingly at the top of the global agenda, British Airways was the first airline anywhere in the world to introduce a voluntary scheme enabling customers to help offset the carbon dioxide emissions from their flights.
In a ground-breaking development of the online check-in facility, in 2008 British Airways unveiled its remote check-in via mobile phones with wireless connectivity.
The free facility is available in 11 languages, without any need to download accompanying software.
Heathrow’s Terminal Five was given the go-ahead in 2002 and opened in March 2008. The terminal redefined the airport experience, seeking to replace the queues, the crowds and the stress with space, light and calm.
The year 2009 saw the launch of the UK’s first mobile internet access on a transatlantic route with the introduction of OnAir, available on the British Airways service between London City and New York JFK. OnAir, which is exclusive to British Airways, provides onboard access to email, text messages and the Internet via passengers’ mobile phones once the aircraft has reached an altitude of 10,000 feet, which is normally around ten minutes after take-off.
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