Austin and London Celebrate a Decade of Direct Flights with Texas-Style Hoedown at Austin-Bergstrom Airport

In true Texas fashion, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) and British Airways threw a hoedown to celebrate a ten-year handshake that's connected the guitar strums of Austin with the chimes of Big Ben. A decade has zipped by since the inaugural direct flight from AUS to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) lifted off, and now over 1.25 million passengers have skipped the pond both ways.

The March 3 bash ahead of the anniversary flight, was not short of Austin's signature live tunes, grabbable freebies, and speeches delivered by city honchos and the brass from both the airport and British Airways—according to a statement from AUS representatives, Neil Chernoff, the Chief Planning and Strategy Officer at British Airways, tipped his hat to the Austin community, adding, "Celebrating ten years of flying between Austin and London is a testament to the strong relationship we've built with this incredible city and its people."

In a kindred speech, Interim AUS Chief Executive Officer Ghizlane Badawi teed up the importance of such international connections, saying, "As we celebrate a decade of partnership with British Airways, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is honored to acknowledge the enduring commitment that characterizes our journey together."

Filling the air with more than just jet fuel, British Airways Flight BA190, commanded by First Officer Austin remarked on the significance of the anniversary, "It's an honor to be part of this special milestone, connecting two incredible cities"; these words, coming as the aircraft's wheels kissed Texan soil once more, according a release from the airline.

And it wouldn’t be a Texas celebration without some barbecue flair, which came bottled up as British Airways teamed up with local smokehouse giant, Franklin Barbecue, to create BA-B-Q sauce. It’s a clever play on words packed with flavors that premium customers can savor while jetting from Austin to London. Adding to the in-flight experience, flyers can sink their teeth into a Texas-inspired barbecue menu—think smoked beef brisket in business and BBQ chicken in the economy, dished out in homage to the city's famed barbecue culture, according to the airport's press release.

Sustaining this aerial bond, British Airways has rolled out its greenest bird, the Airbus A350, for the Austin route, decked out with the airline's gleaming new Club Suite business class cabin. With ten years down and the skies their limit, AUS and British Airways look to keep this love affair airborne for the long haul, ensuring Austin's eclectic beat goes on, non-stop to London Town.