Dubai, 23 December 2012: British Airways customers are flocking to Dubai this festive season to escape the chilly northern hemisphere winter. The news comes as the city features in the airline's top five longhaul destinations for Christmas travel.
"Our customers' favourite longhaul destinations from London this festive season are New York, Miami, Cape Town, Hong Kong and Dubai, which shows that, with the exception of New York, people are looking for a warmer way to spend Christmas and New Year. Our flights connect through London Heathrow's Terminal 5, offering convenient times and an easier way to travel during this busy period," Paolo De Renzis, Area Commercial Manager Middle East and Central Asia, said.
A firm favourite among travellers, Dubai makes a regular appearance in British Airways' top destinations lists. In a recent poll on BA's Facebook page, more than 2,660 users nominated the overseas destinations they most want to visit in 2013 and Dubai was named in the top five. Featured alongside Dubai were New York, Australia, Hong Kong and Rio de Janeiro.
"British Airways has been flying to Dubai for 75 years and to the Middle East for 80 years," De Renzis said. "We have a long association with this region and our competitive prices, quality service and great connections to Europe and North America are among the reasons people choose to fly here with British Airways."
More than 1.9 million people are booked to fly with British Airways this festive season, including almost 30,000 on Christmas Day. For those who have left their shopping until the last minute, British Airways has stocked up on gifts for its busiest shopping month.
Research shows that nearly a third (32 per cent) of people would consider buying their Christmas presents on board flights, while a further 17 per cent of those travelling will forget to pack a present, usually for a brother-in-law.
About British Airways:
This year marks the airline's 80th anniversary of flying to the Middle East.
British Airways has a worldwide route network that covers more than 170 destinations in 75 countries.
The airline is one of the world's largest international airlines carrying approximately 36 million passengers around the world every year.
The airline offers a choice of four cabins on the majority of its longhaul services.
The airline is investing in new aircraft, new cabins, new technology and new routes.
British Airways operates the majority of flights from Terminal 5, its home at London Heathrow. This terminal is capable of handling 30 million customers a year and is the size of 50 football pitches.
British Airways is two years into a more than £5bn investment in new aircraft, smarter cabins, elegant lounges and new technologies to make life more comfortable in the air and on the ground.
In the winter 2012 schedule the airline operates 68 weekly flights from eight GCC cities to London Heathrow
For media enquiries, please contact the British Airways press office:
Amanda Tomlinson
T: +971 4 390 2980
Email:amanda.t@actionprgroup.com
© Press Release 2012
