British Airways is now officially ”the fastest airline in the West!”
All right. The West Midlands!
Its all thanks to no-frills carrier MyTravelLite”s most recent publicity stunt ” the ”Great Airline Race to Paris”.
It seems that those cheeky chappies at the former Airtours spin-off invited three journalists to race from Birmingham International Airport to the Arc de Triomphe, flying to Beauvais Airport with MyTravelLite, and Charles de Gaulle Airport with British Airways and Air France. Each journalist had to check-in a bag at Birmingham and, once in Paris, they were not allowed to seek assistance other than to ask directions, and were only allowed to use public transport.
Presumably the idea was to prove that it is quicker to travel to the centre of Paris from a small airport, even if it is 50 miles from the Champs Elysee.
MyTravelLite were very confident of winning the race - perhaps because they hadn”t told either British Airways or Air France about it!
Plans were laid. The previous day managing director Tim Jeans, two press officers and two cabin crew, together with specially printed banners, and posters positioned out to Paris. A photo-call was arranged to snap the winner crossing the finishing line.
Sadly for MyTravelLite the first person to the Etoile turned out to be the British Airways passenger. He reckoned it was cheaper too!
Marks out of ten as a PR stunt, Zero! It”s a good job Tim has left Michael O”Leary.
PS, Which reminds the ABTN editor of a photo-call he once organised at Westminster Bridge for the latest and greatest of seagoing motor cruisers. The press turned up en-masse but sadly the boat broke down on its way up the Thames. He survived to smile about it, as will Jeans!