On Monday 27 March 2023, British Airways, Boeing 777-200 aircraft, made its inaugural flight to Guyana from Gatwick Airport, London. The last time British Airways (BOAC) flew to and from Guyana was some 42 years ago.
BA2159 departed London Gatwick at 11:35 AM, landing at Cheddi Jagan International Airport (GEO) in Georgetown, Guyana at 19:50 local time. (There is a time difference of five hours between London and Guyana). This was the first of a twice weekly flight, operating via St Lucia on Mondays and Thursdays. The flight first landed in St. Lucia and continued on to Georgetown.
A BA release stated that the flight was operated by Captain Marc Chan whose father was born in Guyana and, like Marc, also a British Airways captain. The release stated: “My father was a BOAC and British Airways captain from 1968 until 1999. He used to look up as a small boy from the jungle at the silver BOAC jets flying high above and dreamed of one day becoming a pilot. My father, Michael Chan-Choong, was the first Guyanese pilot in BOAC. More than 50 years later I am very proud to help launch the inaugural service to Georgetown with my co-pilot Alan Brooks who has Caribbean heritage. It will mark my first steps onto the land of my father and is one of the highlights of my flying career.”
The aircraft has three cabins of service: Club (business), World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and World Traveller (economy).
Introductory return fares from London to Guyana economy class is £499. British Airways also flies to Port of Spain £520 return fare for economy.
The release states that BA is the UK’s national flag carrier, It serves more than 190 destinations across more than 65 countries, including routes with its partnership airlines. The airline proudly offers customers flights to more destinations from London than any other carrier. It has 17 weekly flights to the Caribbean and Mexico.