Air travel – it’s as simple as book, pack, fly. Or is it? Behind the scenes, there’s a whole army of people that come together to get each customer in the air. In fact, 96 people as a research from British Airways reveals.

To coincide with its latest ‘To Fly. To Serve’ campaign, British Airways carried out the research. It calculated the essential people involved in the customer journey in order to fly from Kuwait to London.

It includes 96 different roles, across 18 different departments, using over 11 external suppliers in the process. The figure rises to 107 roles for premium customers – which can include the additional benefits of fast track boarding, lounge access and personal meet and greets.

Paolo De Renzis, British Airways commercial director, Middle East and Central Asia, said: “Customer experience is at the centre of everything we do, although when you take a step back and calculate how many different people are involved in making a journey possible, the figure is quite astounding. Our research shows just how much work goes on behind the scenes in order for us to fly more than 100,000 passengers each day.”

Abigail Comber, British Airways head of marketing, said: “The research gave us a real appreciation for every single person that makes flying a seamless process. From the tug driver to the ramp agent, from NATS air traffic control to our chefs – there’s more people than you realise, that get you from A to Z.”

Before flying there are 23 crucial roles behind the scenes working to ensure everything is in place for your flight. On the day you fly, there are 38 people that contribute directly to getting you in the air.

On board there’s an average flight team of 16 people, including cabin crew, captains and senior first officers, and upon landing there are 19 people that ensure your safe arrival.

On board a typical long-haul Boeing 747 flight, there will be 1,263 items of metal cutlery, 735 glasses, 233 toothpicks, 337 copies of High Life magazine, 2,000 ice cubes, 99 full bottles and 326 quarter bottles of wine, 58 toilet rolls, 337 donation envelopes to ‘Flying Start’ charity, and 40 skyflyer packs for children.

Meanwhile, British Airways is launching special fares to the UK, Europe, US and Canada across all cabins, until November 26 for travel until July 31. Seats are available to London from KWD 212 in World Traveller, KWD 345 in World Traveller Plus, KWD 947 in Club World, and KWD 1627 in First, a statement said. - – TradeArabia News Service