PRESS RELEASE
November 2015
Ref: e72
Welcome on board British Airways i360 in Brighton
Two of the region’s biggest tourism names joined forces as the world’s tallest
moving observation tower being built on Brighton beach was named British
Airways i360.
The iconic new Brighton beach attraction, conceived and designed by Marks
Barfield Architects, the creators of the London Eye, signed a ‘landmark’ fiveyear deal with the nation’s favourite airline, which has been heralded as a
‘great deal for the South East’ and ‘flying the flag for British tourism’.
Lynne Embleton, British Airways’ director of strategy and managing director
for Gatwick, said: “Our pilots enjoy spectacular views of the Sussex coastline
as they fly in and out of Gatwick and now Brighton visitors and residents will
also be able to from this fantastic new landmark.
“We fly to 67 destinations across the globe from Gatwick, and employ more
than 2,500 staff in Sussex, so putting our name to the i360 and helping to
promote even more tourism to the area made perfect sense."
Eleanor Harris, Chief Executive of British Airways i360, said: “We are
delighted to have such a prestigious British and global brand sponsoring our
ground breaking attraction. British Airways and the i360 share a similar
market regionally in the South East and a comparable international reach. We
also share a proud history of engineering and design excellence.”
Cllr Warren Morgan, Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, said, "I've
always advocated private investment in the i360, so I welcome the
sponsorship from British Airways who are a major employer in the city region.
Their involvement will help cement Brighton and Hove's position as a major
tourist destination, and fits well with our announcement two weeks ago that
we as a council are backing the expansion of Gatwick with a second runway."
Geoff Raw, CEO of Brighton & Hove City Council, said, “The i360 business
plan included sponsorship income and we are pleased to see the team
delivering on their projections.”
Opening next summer, British Airways i360 viewing pod will cruise up to 450
feet high where guests on board can enjoy breathtaking 360 degree views of
the stunning Regency city and surrounding South Downs and Sussex
coastline.
At 162 metres tall, British Airways i360 is already the tallest structure in
Sussex and customers flying in to Gatwick airport can already see the
spectacular tower from the air.
The attraction will be the world’s first vertical cable car and includes a
stunning new venue on Brighton beach, with a brasserie with sea views and
an outside beach-side terrace serving food from “Sussex’s larder” with
signature dishes from MasterChef: The Professionals Winner Steven
Edwards.
The beach building also encompasses a range of facilities for visitors
including a gift shop; an exhibition; hospitality rooms for 10 to 1,000 people;
and an indoor kids play zone.
- Ends Media enquiries: Paula Seager, Natural PR on Tel: 01273 857242 or Email:
paula@naturalpr.biz
About British Airways i360
At 162 metres high, and with an observation pod rising to 450 feet, BA i360
will be the tallest observation tower outside London, a vertical cable car
offering a new perspective on the fun loving seaside city of Brighton. Sited at
the root end of the historic West Pier on Brighton’s seafront, the BA i360 has
a slender, elegant design, with a futuristic pod allowing 200 visitors at a time
to enjoy the surrounding view as it slowly unfolds. The visitor centre
incorporates a 400 seat restaurant; a gift shop; children’s play zone; exhibition
space; tea rooms; and conference and event facilities.
www.britishairwaysi360.com
Twitter: @BA_i360
Instagram: @BA_i360
Facebook: BritishAirwaysi360
Pinterest: @BA_i360
Hashtag: #bai360
About British Airways
British Airways is one of the world’s leading global premium airlines and the
UK’s largest international scheduled airline, carrying approximately 35 million
passengers worldwide annually, on around 800 daily flights. The airline
employs around 40,000 people, the vast majority of these at its sites
throughout the UK, and has an annual turnover of £8.5 billion.
It employs 2,500 people at Gatwick airport, 1,000 of whom live in Sussex,
several hundred of those are residents of Brighton & Hove.