BA.com Offers Functionality in Simplified Chinese

Shanghai, China (October 29, 2007) /China Newswire/ — British Airways announced that ba.com, its global portal, now offers its complete suite of features in simplified Chinese language.

From booking tickets, hotels and car hire, to online check-in, seat selection and destination information, ba.com's integrated offering is now fully available in simplified Chinese. Arranged under four headings: Flights and More; Manage My Booking; Information and Executive Club, the website offers every customer the user-friendly facilities and information to ensure convenient and hassle-free travel.

"Ba.com is now the key interface between British Airways and our customers," said Sara Thorley, British Airways Manager, China. "It is our priority to continue investing in this platform and solidify its position as a critical servicing and information tool for our customers. We are so pleased that this powerful communication and information platform is now fully available in simplified Chinese that is poised to bring tremendous convenience to the Chinese travellers."

This development for ba.com in China is particularly timely in view of the rapid development of the Internet in the country. According to the latest statistics by China Internet Network Information Centre*, the web research and managing body under China's Ministry of Information Industry, the country now has 162 million Internet users as of June 2007–the largest netizen population in the world. Among them, about 122 million are broadband users and 44.3 million are mobile phone web surfers.

Thorley said, "British Airways has been striving to enhance the travel experience of our customers worldwide. We have been embarked on a number of exciting initiatives such as introducing the new Club World cabin, the highly expected Terminal 5 as well as our recent confirmed order of new aircrafts. The localisation of ba.com complement with all these endeavours."

The 20th report on the development of the Internet in China issued by CNNIC, July 2007

The key features of ba.com include:
•Enjoy the lowest British Airways airfares available by date and by flight number
•Plan your trip by booking one way and multi-city flights
•Add to your booking making flight, hotel, car and sightseeing bookings with secure payment verified by VISA and MasterCard.
•View a summary or full details of your travel itinerary
•Make seat requests from an interactive seating plan
•Make meal requests from a list of available special dietary meals
•Email your itinerary to colleagues, friends and family
•Check in online for your flight
•Print your own boarding pass online. Dedicated fast baggage drops are available around the world. The desks for fast baggage drops in Greater China are: A17 (Beijing), D68 (Shanghai) and J21 (Hong Kong).

INTERNET LINKS

http://www.ba.com

About British Airways British Airways was recently named Airline of the Year 2007 by the OAG (Official Airline Guide). British Airways is one of the world's longest running airlines. A long-time industry leader, it carries more international passengers than any other airline. British Airways commenced services to China in 1980. British Airways offers 7 Boeing 777 flights per week (6 flights a week in winter) from Beijing to London Heathrow Airport and 5 between Shanghai and London. British Airways' worldwide network covers 145 destinations in 75 countries.