The then British Overseas Airways Corporation became the first UK airline to operate passenger flights between the UK and Japan.
In 1948, BOAC extended its Poole-Hong Kong Plymouth class flying boat service to Iwakuni in Japan.
The weekly service took a full seven days to complete, stopping at seven cities on route – Augusta, Alexandria, Karachi, Calcutta, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Iwakuni.
To mark the occasion, the airline is launching its latest business class Club Suite cabin, on flights between London Heathrow and Tokyo Haneda.
From 31 October, British Airways will be the only airline offering a business class suite with a full privacy door on Japan flights from the UK.
Colm Lacy, BA Chief Commercial Officer, said: “It all started with a flying boat and now Tokyo is one of our longest-served and most valued destinations.”
“We’re incredibly proud of our heritage – it’s been our pleasure to connect British travellers with Japan since 1948.”
BA has created special heritage dishes for all four cabins, that will be served on Japan flights from 1 September to 31 October.
It includes beef cheek okaribayaki.
The Club Suite flat-bed seat offers direct aisle access and a suite door for greater privacy in a 1-2-1 configuration.
It has 40% more storage, including a vanity unit and mirror.
The latest business class seats will be available on Japan operated by the B777-300ER fleet.
Tags: Japan flights, Colm Lacy, British Airways
