First Class celebration for British Airways

The gathering, which took place at the Fairmont Towers Hotel in Cairo, started with Mrs Mervat Alfy, British Airways Commercial Manager for Egypt, announcing the airline's plans to invest in it premium products with a two phase upgrade to its FIRST cabin.

The initial phase is a refresh in which soft furnishings are being replaced to create a contemporary and stylish look; travellers will be able to snuggle up in their flat beds on a new-style mattress wearing the redesigned complimentary pyjamas.

Award-winning British designer Anya Hindmarch has designed a new washbag which now includes top quality products from Dr Harris, the famous St James Street, London, pharmacy with a history of more than 200 years.

The second phase of the investment, a new suite and cabin design, is planned to be rolled out later this year.

Mrs Mervat Alfy, British Airways Commercial Manager for Egypt, announced:

"We held this event to highlight the changes we are making to the First class experience and to reassure our premium customers of our commitment to providing them with the very best of quality and style when they travel."

"The new service will offer heightened comfort to our premium passengers, and has the goal of restoring old-fashioned service to customers. The new First experience will offer more glamour, more style and improved service to meet each individual traveller's needs."

In addition to the improved services on board, British Airways customers will enjoy all the benefits of travelling through the airline's new home at Heathrow, Terminal 5. In addition to the unique shopping and dining premium travellers have full use of the Galleries First lounge and the Concorde Room. The Concorde Room offers a space for serious relaxation and serious business, and provides a genuinely exclusive environment for First passengers.

Since moving to its new home, Terminal 5, British Airways has seen its punctuality improve markedly.

The airline's punctuality in summer 2008 improved at Heathrow by more than 20 percentage points against summer 2007. This trend has continued into the autumn with October and November both seeing a 23 percentage points increase compared with the equivalent months in 2007. January 2009 also saw a 25 percentage points increase from January 2008.

October 14, 2008, was the best day in British Airways' operational history with more than 95 per cent of flights departing Heathrow punctually.

During May the company has been offering the Egyptian market a special promotion where purchase of a FIRST ticket entitles the traveller to purchase a second ticket at half price. The offer applies to bookings made between 1 May 2009 and 31 May 2009, for travel between 1 May 2009 and 31 March 2010.