Sky High Comedy Club With British Airways

Flying Start, British Airways global charity partnership with Comic Relief, is celebrating raising £20 million.



This partnership, the first to work with Comic Relief to raise money all year round, began in 2010 with a goal to raise £20 million by the end of 2020 and has achieved hitting the monumental target two years early.



British Airways employees and customers were treated to a celebratory flight to say thank you to the dedicated fundraisers and generous customers who have helped hit the fundraising target.



Russell Kane, Joel Dommett and Rob Beckett took their comedy to new heights when they performed a special Flying Start Gig in the Sky.



The trio entertained 140 guests during a special hour-long flight on an Airbus A320 to celebrate reaching the fundraising goal.



The comics rose to the challenge with an aviation-themed performance that had the audience roaring in the aisle.



Alex Cruz, British Airways CEO and Chairman, said: “I’m delighted that we’ve hit this wonderful milestone and what a better way to celebrate raising money for Comic Relief than with a comedy gig in the sky? The sum raised is testament to the generosity of our customers, the hard work of our Flying Start Team and everyone that supports this work. I want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone involved – let’s keep going!”



Speaking after the performance, Russell Kane who hosted the gig said: “I’ve performed in many unusual venues but never at 38,000 feet! There was an amazing atmosphere with lots of laughs on board. What a great way to celebrate Flying Start raising £20 million for Comic Relief”



Flying Start by numbers



4 - Guinness World Records broken over the years including ‘Highest Concert’, ‘Highest Comedy Gig’, ‘Highest Harlem Shake’ and ‘Most countries cycled in 24 hours’



43,000 ft – The world’s highest concert with Tony Hadley and Kim Wilde on a Boeing 767 in 2013



15,000 – Calories burned by BA pilots cycling through seven countries in 24 hours



20 per cent - increase in on board donations after the launch of the new safety video in 2017



5000 – Number of BA employees who have fundraised for Flying Start



£314,000 – Customer contributions from onboard collections in a single month



628,190 – The number of children and young people in the UK and overseas who have benefitted from the donations



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