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British Airways has arrived in Islamabad

British Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliner taxing on the runway of Islamabad International airport.
British Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliner taxing on the runway of Islamabad International airport after arriving on a historic flight from London Heathrow.

British Airways historic flight from London Heathrow to Islamabad International airport has landed. The flight BA261 landed at 09.17 at Islamabad airport and took almost 7 hours from London to Islamabad. The airline used a 6 years old Boeing 787 registration G-ZBJA for this flight. The aircraft has 214 seats with 35 business class seats, 25 premium economy seats and 154 economy seats.

• The airline starts a three-per-week service to London Heathrow on June 2
• Customers will enjoy a state-of-the-art inflight experience on board the Boeing 787 Dreamliner
• A Halal meal option is available in every cabin

Upon arrival, the aircraft was given water cannon salute by the fire department of Islamabad international airport. Federal minister for trade Abdul Razak Dawood, minister for Aviation, Special assistant to PM for overseas Pakistani and HRD Sayed Zulfiqar Ali Shah Bukhari, British High commissioner to Pakistan Thomas Drew were also present at the airport to receive the crew of this historic flight.

Flight BA0261 from London Heathrow took off at 21.15. Return flight  BA0260 from Islamabad will depart at 11.10 in the morning and arrive at London Heathrow at 16.00.

The three-per-week service is operated on a three-class Boeing 787 Dreamliner with World Traveller (long-haul economy), World Traveller Plus (long-haul premium economy) and Club World (long-haul business class) available. The 787 is British Airways’ newest long-haul aircraft that is 20 per cent more fuel efficient than other aircraft and features larger windows, mood lighting and the latest inflight entertainment system. The lower cabin pressure means customers step off the flight feeling fresh.

Customers travelling can expect bespoke services to enhance the onboard experience including a halal meal option in every cabin, while the airline will also ensure sauces in every meal do not include alcohol or pork. As with any British Airways flight, customers can also pre-order a range of special meal options including vegetarian and vegan options.

The airline has a number of Pakistani and British Pakistani colleagues who speak Urdu, and there has already been considerable interest from these colleagues to work on the flights.

Exclusive images of aircraft upon landing.

Aftab Khan who speaks both English and Urdu, and is one of the crews operating the inaugural flight, said: “I can’t wait for what will be such a wonderful occasion. To be chosen to operate this flight, with my close family links to Pakistan, is a real honour. I know that my colleagues operating the flight are just as excited.”

British Airways’ long-haul flights include extremely generous hand baggage allowances – one large cabin bag with a small laptop or handbag – complimentary food and drink, online check-in and free seat selection 24 hours prior to departure. Customers landing in to London can connect on to British Airways’ network which includes over 30 destinations across North America, with over 70 flights per day to the US through the airline’s joint business with American Airlines. Customers can also connect to over 30 countries in Europe.

Return fares between London and Islamabad start from as little as £448 in World Traveller, £709 in World Traveller Plus and £1,499 in Club World. These can be reduced to as little as £248 in World Traveller, £459 in World Traveller Plus and £499 in Club World by using Avios part payment. As always, customers can choose to cut the cost of flights by using Avios part payment. They are able to pick from a range of savings by destination and cabin. Customers making the most of this are still able to collect Avios and Tier Points on their bookings.*

Examples of the discounts available in World Traveller are below:
Avios needed World Traveller price from
2,000 £428
5,200 £408
10,600 £378
17,000 £348
28,000 £298
39,000 £248

British Airways is amid a £6.5 billion investment for customers, including the installation of the best quality WiFi and power in every seat, fitting 128 long-haul aircraft with new interiors and taking delivery of 72 new aircraft.

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