British Airways started flying to nine new destinations over the bank holiday weekend. On Friday, April 29 the airline made its first flight to Mahon in Menorca from Heathrow. The airline will fly to the island four times a week.

Then, on Saturday April 30, the airline started its twice-weekly services from Heathrow to  Palermo in Italy and Chania in Crete.

Meanwhile Gatwick’s new service to New York JFK departed on Sunday May 1. Lynne Embleton, British Airways’ managing director at Gatwick said: “The new route from Gatwick to New York’s JFK airport will make British Airways the only airline to offer flights to New York from all three London airports, giving our customers maximum choice and flexibility.

“New York is British Airways’ flagship Atlantic route and will always be one of the most popular destinations for holidaymakers and business travellers alike.”

Wearing a New York City t-shirt, singer and TV personality Peter Andre and two of his children, Junior and Princess, went ‘all out American’ on a visit to Gatwick Airport to support the route.

Peter, who lives just 10 miles from Gatwick Airport, said: “New York is one of my favourite places to visit and the kids absolutely love it so the fact that we can get there even quicker and fly British Airways from Gatwick is such a bonus.”

Customers could also start flying to Kalamata in Greece and Biarritz in the South of France on Sunday. Both flights operate twice a week from Heathrow.

London City also started a new route on Sunday too. The summer only flights direct from the Docklands to the Dordogne, in the heart of one of France’s most popular wine growing regions, will operate up to four times a week until September.

Luke Hayhoe, British Airways’ general manager commercial and customer at London City said: “The Dordogne epitomises the French rural escape – castles, heritage, rolling hills, vineyards, food markets, gastronomy and wine.”

To mark the inaugural flight a vintage Citroen 2CV made a flying visit to the airport. The car represents the best of France’s heritage while the new air link provides the quickest journey yet between the city of London and the heart of the Dordogne region.

Tuesday May 3rd saw the launch of two new services, from Heathrow to Inverness in Scotland and also to the Lego capital of the world, Billund in Denmark. The Inverness service is Heathrow’s first to the city in 20 years.

In Billund, Danish actor and star of hit political thriller Borgen Birgitte Hjort Sørensen found time to go to Billund Airport to celebrate the new route.

Birgitte appeared with British Airways’ ambassadors at a stylish photo shoot in front of the first aircraft to London Heathrow and a genuine red London double-decker bus, which last week toured Jutland handing out gifts from all over the world.

And in other firsts, British Airways became the first airline in the world to fly the Airbus A380 into Vancouver, Canada on Sunday May 1.The aircraft will fly throughout the summer on British Airways’ daily service between Vancouver and London.

“This is a big day at Vancouver,” said Craig Richmond, President and CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority. “British Airways has been providing customers with an exceptional travel experience to London for many years. And now, with the introduction of the A380 on the London – Vancouver route there is an even bigger reason to fly.

“Choosing Vancouver as their first Canadian destination to be served by an A380 is a testament to British Airways’ support of YVR as a world class hub airport. This new aircraft will stimulate the market and increase tourism opportunities across British Columbia.”