British Airways revives flights to Tel Aviv celebrating heritage with new uniforms

• Published date: 21 April 2024
• Author: MARK GORDON
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

A few days later, the terrible events of October 7 unfolded. April 1 marked the long-awaited return of British Airways. (As of Thursday, the airline had not stopped flights following last week's Iranian attack.)

As each airline comes back to Israel, market competitiveness increases and hopefully ticket prices reduce. During the last three months of 2023, with limited options for flyers, prices to Europe and North America soared. The return of British Airways offers another route to London and it reopens a gateway between Tel Aviv and 26 US cities.

There are some changes to the service for the time being as international airline crews are not staying overnight in Israel. The flight from Tel Aviv to London is a direct flight but the London to Tel Aviv journey stops in Larnaca, Cyprus, for a crew change. The flights have also been changed to short-haul status with narrow-bodied jets.British Airways has a rich history dating back close to a century.

Its first flight to then-Palestine, under the company's original name, Imperial Airways, was more than 90 years ago. These and other landmarks are celebrated in the British Airways Heritage Collection, housed at the Speedbird Centre in its headquarters.

If you have time between flights, it is well worth traveling five minutes from Heathrow Terminal 5 to BA's Waterside HQ in Harmondsworth. Dozens of model aircraft stand proudly alongside uniforms worn by cabin crew down the years, surrounded by artwork and cabin replicas that tell the story of this British institution. Museum curator and BA historian Jim Davies has worked with the company for 57 years and can provide some wonderful insights.

(Book ahead of time via email: ba.1.museum@ba.com.)

British Airways' modern british identity

The crisp, elegant dark blue uniforms with red and white touches were all the talk of cabin crew at British Airways. It's the first uniform remodeling in 19 years. The blouse, made from recycled materials, ultra-modern jumpsuits, and sharp overcoats were designed by Savile Row tailor Ozwald Boateng and are part of BA's drive to be a "British original."

The concept is very apparent when the superbly produced safety video hits the 17-inch, hi-resolution screens in the Club Suite, the newly revamped Club World cabins available on at least 10 routes departing from Heathrow. A cross-section of staff members joins forces with well-known UK personalities, reflecting multicultural 2023 Britain to take passengers through the emergency exits...