British Airways Announces Smile High Gig, Sets New Guinness World Record

CRAWLEY, England, March 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

British Airways has set a new Guinness World Records title with comedians Dara O Briain, Jack Whitehall and Jon Richardson, for hosting the 'highest stand-up comedy gig in the world'.

The smile high gig, which took place on March 12, 2011 as part of the airline's partnership with Comic Relief, raised almost 100,000 pounds Sterling for Red Nose Day.

The comedians performed for 45 minutes at 35,000ft to a crowd of 180 guests and prize winners to set the new world record. The comedy gig was hosted on flight BA9230c on a dedicated British Airways A321 aircraft. The flight took off from London Heathrow's Terminal 5 and flew over the UK for two and a half hours.

Keeping the crowd in high spirits, Jack Whitehall joked: "I was looking forward to today - after all it's the only gig where people can't walk out. If you want to heckle you'll have to press the call button."

Dara O Briain, who was last to perform, said: "I told the Captain I'd bang twice on the locker like this when I was on - so he can take the aircraft to 37,000ft and beat Jack and Jon's record!"

Since the partnership launched in June 2010, the airline has raised in excess of 700,000 pounds* for 'Flying Start' - the airline's charity partnership with Comic Relief, which aims to transform the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged children in the UK and around the world.

British Airways Captain Brian Connolly, said: "It was an honour to Captain this very special flight today. I'm proud to be able to say that I'm a Guinness World Records holder and, of course, a member of the Smile High Club!"

Footage from the event will be made available shortly at: www.youtube.com/britishairways  

Further information can be found at www.facebook.com/britishairways.

Notes to Editors:

*figure accurate as of March 10, 2011

-British Airways would like to thank everyone who supported this flight, including BA customers, the comedians – Dara, Jack and Jon, the Guinness World Records and Q8 for donating the fuel

- The event was adjudicated by Guinness World Records editor-in-chief Craig Glenday

- Fundraising was achieved through a text competition to win a place on board

- As of March 10, 2011 the airline had raised 95,800 pounds from the 'highest stand up gig' event. The final sum will be confirmed on Red Nose Day and is expected to reach 100,000 pounds.

About British Airways:

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SOURCE British Airways