Y’all ready for Nashville? British Airways launches direct flights from London Heathrow

Country music star Stella Parton hits the high notes at Heathrow to celebrate British Airways’ new direct service

The only direct route between Europe and Nashville launches this week (May 4) when British Airways starts flying between Heathrow and Music City.To celebrate the new four-a-week service the airline welcomed country music star, Stella Parton, to Heathrow with the Nashville native strutting her stuff and sharing her top tips.

Stella, who has lived in Nashville for 50 years and whose birthday is on May 4, was photographed on board a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner as the airline’s newest fleet will serve the capital of Tennessee.

Stella Parton, who hails from one of America’s most legendary music families, said: “On behalf of all of the Nashville natives we are so excited to welcome a British invasion! Nashville is so much more than just a music town, it’s growing, it’s happening and we want people to come and see what fantastic things we have going on. I’ve been lucky enough to tour the UK many times so I can’t wait to be able to fly direct to London with no stop-over!”

Tickets are available to buy on ba.com and start from £571 in World Traveller (economy cabin), £930 in World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and £1411 in Club World (business class). Customers can also choose to cut the cost of flights by using Avios in part payment and can pick from a range of savings.

For a taste of the deep south, the airline will be serving traditional hot chicken on flights from Nashville to Heathrow Terminal 5 in all cabins until June 4. Watch British Airways’ head chef, Mark Tazzioli, show foodies on Facebook how to make Tennessee’s signature dish here: https://d1btjlf89lsb3b.cloudfront.net/BrandID86/720-mp4/ba_nashville_hot_chicken_final_1000x1000_5ae827c776e68_1525163975.mp4

The dish marinates chicken in buttermilk, then blends cayenne pepper with other seasonings and spices to create a flavoursome fried chicken that will be served with macaroni cheese and braised kale.

Award-winning musician Stella, who is an avid cook and has published numerous books on southern home cooking, added: “For the hottest chicks in any city you gotta visit Nashville, Tennessee and for the hottest chicken in Nashville, it has to be Bolten’s and Hattie B’s. That’s where I get my hot chicken and hear all the hottest news.”

The new route follows the launch of New Orleans in March 2017 and Nashville will become the 26th US city the airline flies to. From this summer British Airways and American Airlines will operate up to 67 daily flights, as part of their transatlantic joint business.

British Airways is investing £4.5 billion for customers over the next five years, including the installation of the best quality WiFi and power in every seat, fitting 128 long-haul aircraft with new interiors and taking delivery of 72 new aircraft. The airline is also investing £600m specifically in Club World, including outstanding catering and luxurious White Company bedding – plus, from 2019, a new seat with direct aisle access.

Flight details

BA223 will depart from London Heathrow Terminal 5 at 15.45 local time and arrive in Nashville International Airport at 18.50 central time. BA222 will depart Nashville at 20.20, arriving in London at 10.30 the next day.

May 01, 2018