WestHollywoodToday: British Airways & Variety launched Airbus A380 in LA

West Hollywood, CA (West Hollywood Today)

By Karen Ostlund
(Photo-credit Karen Ostlund, mansion-photo by Getty Images)

British Airline sign in the mansion's garden

British Airways launched their new A380 'double decker' airplane at a West Hollywood mansion with a major music & entertainment event in association with Variety.

DJ Chris Holmes spun between the live performances by up-and-coming UK music talent Foxes ('Clarity') and Gabrielle Aplin.

Zedd and the Foxes performed

The location was the newly built mansion on 1232 Sunset Plaza drive, listed $28.3 million with a outdoor stage by the infinity pool.

Variety and British Airways' launch party September 25th was meant to be both a celebration to the trade publication's “10 Brits to Watch” and the airline's nonstop service between Los Angeles and London Heathrow on the A380.

A long list of 'Brits To Watch', from music & film & TV, chosen by Variety Magazine were being flown across from London by British Airways for the event. They are now featured in October month's issue. These up-and-coming actors, writers, directors and musicians included Sam Claflin, Tuppence Middleton, Harry Treadaway, Sally El Housani, Gugu Mbatha Raw, Georgia King, Ed Whitworth, George Blagden, Alexandra McGuiness and Lauren Harris.

Upcoming Brits get award from Variety: (left)
Sally El Hosaini, George Blagden and Lauren Harris

Los Angeles is the first of the British Airline’s more than 150 destinations to receive the two-floor superjumbo A380. They are offering a premium experience to customers who want to travel in style to London Heathrow airport.

The 15th November 2013, Hong Kong is the date and city of the next route to benefit from the A380.

-Previous comments from the airline indicated that Hong Kong would be the first destination after LA to receive the A380.

The mansion’s decoration included British flair pillows marked with the Union Jack, and red and blue teacups arranged in the shape of the airline's logo on a wall.

Upcoming Brits get award from Variety October issue:
(right) Ed Whitworth, Georgia King & Alexandra McGuiness

There were two iconic black cars from 101 Classic Cars, which displayed the party's official hashtag, #BAlovesLA, on the windshields, and two flight attendants, to meet guests at the entryway. Waterloo & City catering provided traditional British bites.

British bites by Waterloo and City

"We currently fly three flights a day from LA to London and are proud to be strengthening our connection between these two entertainment capitals with the largest and most luxurious aircraft in our fleet," said Sean Doyle, EVP Americas for British Airways.

Cars from 101 Classic Cars and
BA flight attendants to greet guests

British Airways new aircraft offers customers a superior travel experience, including:
(source from British Airways)

Spacious interiors, 2 decks featuring 469 seats across four cabins, 14 First, 97 Club World (business class), 55 World Traveler Plus (premium economy) and 303 World Traveler (economy).

First 'suites' with 30 percent more space, turndown service, a la carte dining and champagne supper.
Full-flat beds in business class with new 2:3:2 configurations on the upper deck, designed for maximum personal space and comfort.

State-of-the-art in-flight entertainment with 1,600 hours of programming, including more than 130 of the latest Hollywood blockbusters and classic movies and 650 TV shows from around the world.

Balvenie single malt Scotch
and Stoli vodka cocktails to
celebrate A380

Complimentary bar, three course meals, amenity kits and blankets for all customers

Cleaner air, as a result of advanced filters and a system that allows 15 different temperature control zones with cabin air refreshed every three minutes.
The British Airways A380 also features a new menu designed by The Langham, London, for customers travelling in First and Club World. This includes a five-course tasting menu and afternoon tea, inspired by the range of indulgent treats offered at The Langham, London - famed as the birthplace of Afternoon Tea over 140 years ago.

New aircraft are part of British Airways £5bn investment in products and services to benefit customers. The airline has ordered 12 A380s and 24 Boeing 787s.

A view of West Hollywood mansion at British Airways & Variety launch of A380

"London and Hollywood have been productively-linked entertainment business hubs for all of Variety's 108 years as the pre-eminent source of industry news, so the chance to partner on the Brits to Watch project with an esteemed global brand like the U.K's British Airways was irresistible," said Steve Gaydos, Executive Editor, Variety. "Business travelers and business readers both have high expectations due to their fast-paced careers and sophisticated lifestyles, so this is a partnership born out of our mutual strengths of experience and dedication to delivering on those daily demands, 24/7."

British Airways part of International Airlines Group, is one of the world's leading global premium airlines and the largest international carrier in the UK. The carrier has its home base at London Heathrow, the world's busiest international airport and flies to more than 70 different countries. In 2012 the airline carried more than 37 million customers. The airline currently has a fleet of more than 270 aircraft.