British Airways Announces Smile High Gig Sets New Guinness World Records

WEST SUSSEX, ENGLAND, March 19, 2011 (Press-News.org) British Airways has set a new Guinness World Records title with comedians Dara O Briain, Jack Whitehall and Jon Richardson, for hosting the 'highest stand-up comedy gig in the world'.

The smile high gig, which took place on March 12, 2011 as part of the airline's partnership with Comic Relief, raised almost GBP100,000 for Red Nose Day.

The comedians performed for 45 minutes at 35,000ft to a crowd of 180 guests and prize winners to set the new world record. The comedy gig was hosted on flight BA9230c on a dedicated British Airways A321 aircraft. The flight took off from London Heathrow's Terminal 5 and flew over the UK for two and a half hours.

Keeping the crowd in high spirits, Jack Whitehall joked: "I was looking forward to today - after all it's the only gig where people can't walk out. If you want to heckle you'll have to press the call button."

Dara O Briain, who was last to perform, said: "I told the Captain I'd bang twice on the locker like this when I was on - so he can take the aircraft to 37,000ft and beat Jack and Jon's record!"

Since the partnership launched in June 2010, the airline has raised in excess of GBP700,000* for 'Flying Start' - the airline's charity partnership with Comic Relief, which aims to transform the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged children in the UK and around the world.

British Airways Captain Brian Connolly said: "It was an honour to Captain this very special flight today. I'm proud to be able to say that I'm a Guinness World Records holder and, of course, a member of the Smile High Club!"

Footage from the event will be made available shortly at: www.youtube.com/britishairways.
Further information can be found at www.facebook.com/britishairways.

Notes to Editors:
*figure accurate as of March 10, 2011

-British Airways would like to thank everyone who supported this flight, including BA customers, the comedians - Dara, Jack and Jon, the Guinness World Records and Q8 for donating the fuel
- The event was adjudicated by Guinness World Records editor-in-chief Craig Glenday
- Fundraising was achieved through a text competition to win a place on board
- As of March 10, 2011 the airline had raised GBP95,800 from the 'highest stand up gig' event. The final sum will be confirmed on Red Nose Day and is expected to reach GBP100,000.

About British Airways:
British Airways plc offers a wide range of flights to worldwide destinations - including flights to Glasgow and Dubai flights. The company also offers a number of holiday destinations such as holidays in Italy, Dubai holidays and Paris holidays, as well as hotels and car rental. Customers can save time and money with ba.com when booking ATOL protected holiday packages, ATOL number is 5985. Passengers are offered added peace of mind to their holiday plans and the security of travelling with British Airways. British Airways plc constantly seeks to exceed customers' expectations, both in terms of the value for money and quality of the service provided.

Website: http://www.ba.com/