British Airways is introducing First class on its popular Las Vegas route next summer (from June 1, 2011) and increasing capacity by 18 per cent, according to a press release.

The direct daily flight from Terminal 5 at Heathrow was launched a year ago and operated by a three-class Boeing 777. A four-class B747 offering BA’s First cabin will replace it.

By moving to a B747, BA will be sending an additional 124 seats on every round trip. Each flight will now have 14 seats in First.

Richard Tams, British Airways head of marketing and sales, said: “Our direct service from London Heathrow to Las Vegas has been one of our most successful launches in recent years.

“It is one of the star performing routes on the BA network and such a winner with our customers that we are increasing capacity by 18 per cent from next summer and offering that extra touch of luxury.”

British Airways is keeping its customers ‘appy with a new app that allows customers to save time and check-in on their smartphones, according to a BA press release today.

Executive Club iPhone users can use the new app to display new Mobile Boarding Passes on their phones, which can be scanned at check-in to speed up and enhance the boarding process.

In addition, customers using Android and Blackberry devices will now be able to benefit from a version of the British Airways app. The app’s easy-to-use and stylish new interface also gives customers instant access to their Executive Club details and updates on flights.

Chris Davies, head of digital marketing, said: “Mobility and convenience is key for our customers, so that no matter where they are, they can turn to their mobile phones to find the very latest information about flights, check in times and even access boarding passes allowing them to stay one step ahead.”

The Mobile Boarding Pass feature for Executive Club iPhone users will be especially welcome for those customers unable to print off their own boarding cards when returning from overseas.

“It’s all about improving the customer experience. We’re committed to putting our customers in charge, making the British Airways’ travel experience even easier.”

British Airways was the first airline to develop an app for customers for the launch of the iPhone in the UK. Since then, over half a million customers have downloaded it from iTunes. The new app ensures customers have even greater functionality and have access to real flight information about their upcoming bookings, full integration with their Executive Club details and easily and smoothly guide customers through each stage of their flight process.

It will also provide improved flight information, a dedicated travel news section, FAQs, a Twitter news feed for iPhone users, and a link to the ba.com mobile website.

Functionality to allow customers to board using electronic boarding cards is being rolled out on both domestic and international routes.

For further details on, and downloading of, the application, please see http://www.britishairways.com/travel/iphone-app/public/en_gb

“We are delighted for our customers that the threat of a Christmas strike has been lifted by the court,” British Airways officials say in a Thursday afternoon press release, continuing:

“It is a decision that will be welcomed by hundreds of thousands of families in the UK and around the world”.

According to the airline, there was never any need for a strike, which is why they hope that Unite will take this opportunity to reflect before deciding its next steps.

“We believe the public would want that too,” says BA in its statement, and “In recent days, we believe Unite has formed a better understanding of our position and of the ways in which we could move forward”.

“It has also become very clear that our customers do not believe that old-style trade union militancy is relevant to our efforts to move British Airways back toward profitability. Financial success is essential to build the kind of business our customers want and provide long-term opportunities for our staff”.