British Airways customers were surprised to find a special out of this world guest, a Dalek, while travelling through Heathrow’s Terminal 5 on Friday (27 October).
Much to the surprise of those waiting in the arrivals hall to meet loved ones, one of Doctor Who’s fearsome foes was seen keeping a watchful eye over British Airways’ arriving customers. The Dalek also mysteriously appeared in departures where confused customers spotted one of the planet’s best-known villains checking in for a flight to Skaro, an extra-terrestrial destination that isn’t normally on British Airways’ route network.
The unscheduled arrival of the Dalek in British Airways’ home at Heathrow Terminal 5 marked the new partnership between British Airways and BBC Studios to celebrate Doctor Who’s 60th anniversary, which includes the launch of a dedicated Doctor Who in-flight entertainment channel, available for all the airline’s customers travelling on long-haul flights from 1 November.
The new channel features 13 episodes of the longest running science fiction television series in the world.
“We are really excited to be partnering with the BBC’s Doctor Who to create a dedicated channel on our inflight entertainment system, another fantastic British Original partnership that we know our customers will love,” commented Calum Laming, chief customer officer at British Airways. “This year alone we have doubled the amount of content available on our in-flight entertainment, and we are committed to continue to bring the best, out of this world, entertainment to the skies.”
Sarah Bold, head of marketing, scripted at BBC Studios, continued: “Doctor Who has been inspiring and entertaining audiences globally for an incredible 60 years and we couldn’t miss this opportunity to bring two iconic British brands together in style to celebrate. Travellers and subscribers will be able to enjoy a curated collection of content and the tie in will reach millions of people throughout the partnership.”
Doctor Who returns from 25 November on BBC One and iPlayer in the UK and Disney+ in the rest of the world with three special episodes with David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor to coincide with the 60th anniversary.
The Fifteenth Doctor, played by Ncuti Gatwa – who also features in British Airways’ latest safety video – will then take control of the TARDIS, with his first episode airing over the festive period in 2023.
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