BA provides 'victoRIOus' plane for Team GB
Above:
Nose Plane for Team GB Rio 2016.
Courtesy British Airways / Picture by Stuart Bailey
The name, which was one of a short-list of four selected by the athletes and British Airways staff, was chosen by hundreds of fans on Twitter in a recent poll.
To mark the occasion, the VIP charter aircraft bringing the athletes home has been named flight ‘BA2016’, is decorated with a gold-nose and has its name ‘victoRIOus’ emblazoned on the side. For Team GB’s homecoming, it also features ‘#greattobeBAck’ – a hashtag that the fans and athletes are encouraged to use.
Alex Cruz, Chairman and CEO of British Airways, said: “We’re excited to be bringing the athletes home ‘happy and glorious’ following the Games. victoRIOus is a very fitting name, reflecting the great pride we have for our sporting heroes and is a great play on words too.”
Team GB depart on flight BA2016 from Rio de Janeiro on Monday 22 August and land into Heathrow Terminal 5 on Tuesday 23 August at 9.55am.
Fans can visit facebook.com/TeamGB from 9.55am on Tuesday 23 August, for a live broadcast with the athletes once the aircraft touches down.
As of Monday 23 August, the public can also follow the aircraft’s movement on flight tracking website ‘Flightradar24’, which has created a bespoke visual of the aircraft when visitors hover over the icon. It will also feature on ba.com/backingGB.
Bill Sweeney, British Olympic Association CEO said: “Though we are still deep in the middle of competing, one thing we know we will have had from start to finish and beyond is the incredible support of the Team GB fans, both in Rio and Great Britain and Northern Ireland. That support means everything to the athletes and for them to arrive home on board victoRIOus and share their experiences with their family, friends and fans is very special; and we thank British Airways for arranging this special plane home on the 23rd.”
‘victoRIOus’ will take flight again on 20 September, when ParalympicsGB return home from the Rio 2016 Games.
British Airways is official airline supplier to Team GB and ParalympicsGB.
