On March 3, 2014, British Airways and the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) cut the ribbon to celebrate the first-ever transatlantic service from Austin with nonstop flights to London. A decade later, British Airways and AUS reunited for a gate event to celebrate their anniversary and say “cheers” once again!
From flight attendants arriving with their contagious smiles and cowboy hats to speeches from airport and City officials, we were “chuffed” to toast to the past ten years of connecting over 1.25 million customers back and forth across the pond from AUS.
Bring On the BBQ
In traditional southern fashion, the AUS crew wore western boots for the celebration and gave their best “howdy” to passengers arriving from London that day. If that wasn’t enough to set the Texan-tone, then the live country music and gifting of BA-B-Q sauce definitely did. What’s BA-B-Q, you might ask? For the event, British Airways partnered with Austin’s famous barbecue joint, Franklin Barbecue, to create special edition bottles of Franklin Barbecue’s Original BBQ sauce.
The crossover festivities didn’t stop there… for the month of March, passengers flying from Austin to London can indulge in a Texas-inspired barbecue menu on board. The menu highlights plates that represent Austin’s barbecue soul, from the lightly smoked beef brisket in Club World (business) to BBQ chicken in World Traveler (economy).
A Texas-Sized “Thank Y’all”
The real hootin’ and hollerin’ at the event began once a handful of valued speakers took the mic and expanded on how truly special this service turned out to be. Mayor Pro Tem Leslie Pool expressed this partnership’s importance to the City of Austin, stating, “This route doesn’t just link our two cities, it connects us with cultural powerhouses all across Europe, amplifying Austin’s influence and impact on the international scene.”
Chief Planning and Strategy Officer at British Airways, Neil Chernoff, conveyed appreciation for the supportive community, “Celebrating ten years of flying between Austin and London is a testament to the strong relationship we’ve built with this incredible city and its people. We’re proud to have played a role in connecting friends, families, and businesses, and as we continue rolling out the biggest investment program in our 104-year history, we look forward to serving Austin over the next decade and beyond.”
We are beyond thankful British Airways took a chance on the once-small city of Austin ten years ago. Our partnership marked a pivotal point for Austin, connecting our two regions, creating and supporting thousands of jobs, and cultivating growth and economic development. All of us at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport are perpetually grateful for the tireless work, support, and passion put into this relationship by the Austin community and partners. We look forward to another decade!
Travel Over Yonder
With British Airways’ direct flights to London from Austin, unlocking new adventures across the ocean is easier than ever. You can visit the Tower of London, Windsor Castle, the Cotswolds’ or all of the above! There is so much to experience in the United Kingdom, so book your tickets today.
For more information on the flight schedule and to book your next adventure, head over to www.britishairways.com.
For more nonstop flights from AUS, visit: www.austintexas.gov/department/nonstop-flights-out-aus
Disclaimer: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport hereby disclaims any responsibility for any flight cancellations made by the airline. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport advises all customers to check with the airline for any cancellation information.
