Aerospace

From Runnymede to First class luxury with British Airways.

British Airways has flown Britain’s most celebrated charter – the Magna Carta – across the Atlantic today (Monday, September 21).

To celebrate 800 years since the famous document was sealed, Hereford Cathedral and the GREAT Britain Campaign are taking one of only 24 original versions on an anniversary world tour. The tour is an opportunity for thousands of people to see a globally recognised symbol of democracy. It will also showcase Britain’s influence internationally for trade and legal systems.

The tour will see the 1217 version of the document – which travelled in the airline’s First class cabin with a dedicated security guard – visit seven countries, rack up 65,000 miles and travel through 25 time zones over the next four months.

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Its first stop will be New York – where it will be exhibited in one of the city’s most prestigious museums – before it heads to Luxembourg, China, including Hong Kong, Singapore, returning to Malta and finally Lisbon.

British Airways Airlifts 27 tones of urgent medical aid for India on special emergency flight

British Airways Captain Iain Aird, who flew the special document from London Heathrow to New York’s JFK airport, said: “VIPs regularly travel across the pond with us, but with a price tag of £24 million the Magna Carta and the King’s Writ are definitely one of the most precious pieces of cargo we’ve ever had the honour of carrying. The news that we had such an important piece of history on board certainly created a buzz in our First cabin!”

Canon Chris Pullin, Chancellor of Hereford Cathedral, who was also on the flight, said: “I am delighted that our copy of Magna Carta is embarking on this global tour, which will enable more people than ever from across the world a unique and exciting opportunity to see the document close up and learn about what it represents. I hope that as many people as possible take the opportunity to visit Magna Carta and enjoy a rare glimpse of one of the most famous documents in history that has shaped our modern democracy.”

Through its joint business with American Airlines, British Airways operates 14 flights a day from London to New York.

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Aerospace

When Ratan Tata was denied entry to the airfield at the Aero India show, he waited

During our visit to Aero India 2019, we had the unexpected opportunity to see Ratan Tata at the event, which was a thrilling moment for us. However, there was a surprising hiccup when the security staff didn’t allow him to enter due to a lack of a security pass.

Despite this, he remained calm and patiently waited for about 20 minutes until a member of the Tata team brought him the required pass, after which he calmly proceeded inside. It was a humbling sight, showcasing his composed demeanor even in such situations.

Ratan Tata ji is not only a renowned industrialist but also a trained pilot, holding a pilot’s license. In 2007, he became the first Indian civilian to fly the F-16 Falcon during the Aero India show in Bangalore—a proud moment for the nation.

His passion for aviation extended beyond flying, as he played a key role in shaping India’s aerospace industry. Under his leadership, Tata ventured into manufacturing and maintaining aerospace components while upholding its legacy of quality. Notably, Tata’s collaboration with Airbus to develop and manufacture the C295 aircraft is a testament to its growing influence in the sector.