Britain's Olympic rowing team set off for Beijing Olympics today on a BA Boeing 747 named 'Pride'.
British Airways are the official carrier for all the British Olympic and Paralympic teams. The airline staff have quite a task on their hands to ensure that the athletes and their kit arrive in Beijing fully prepared to take part in the games. The mammoth task of getting the Olympic athletes to the Chinese capital has involved over 700 BA staff packing and relaying over 700 pieces of Olympic equipment..
Willie Walsh, British Airways CEO, said: "As the official airline partner of the British Olympic and Paralympic Teams, we are proud to be carrying Britain's Olympic hopefuls to Beijing. Team BA has put in a winning performance to ensure Team GB's 2008 Games get off to a flying start."
The team waited for their flight in comfort at the terminal five lounge and the airline laid on a healthy snack. During the flight the athletes will each receive an extra 3 litres of water with extra fruit and cereal bars.
On the plane the Olympians will found special headrests for their seats with a good luck message. Altogether there will be 40,000 headrests wishing the Olympic Team 'the best of British' on every seat on all BA flights to Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong until the Paralympic Games end in September.
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