Go business class... for free: Google Street View now lets you climb inside a British Airways executive jet and take a 360-degree tour (and check out the swanky lounge)

• The airline has created the world's first airport airside tour on Google Street View, with footage of a business jet
• Footage was taken on one of two Club World London City business jets, which cost £2,700 to travel to New York on
• Customers can use the map to explore check-in and duty-free before flights - and head out across the tarmac

By Georgia Diebelius For Mailonline

Published: 08:21 EST, 28 September 2015 | Updated: 00:28 EST, 29 September 2015

It's gone underwater in Aruba and on Safari in Kenya – and now Google Street View takes internet users inside a swanky British Airways business-class-only jet. 

British Airways teamed up with London City Airport, home to BA001 to New York, this week, to create the first airport airside tour on the desktop mapping website.

Customers can see inside one of only two specially-configured Club World London City 32-seater business jets, for which a ticket would cost around £2,700 return, and take a 360-degree tour of the aircraft and its private lounge – from the comfort of their laptop, tablet or smartphone.

Scroll down for video 

Business-class: Customers can see inside a specially-configured Club World London City 32-seater jets

Customers on the business-only flight – which carries Concorde’s old flight numbers – can enjoy a ‘private jet’ experience

This panoramic view shows how internet users can spin right round inside the cabin

The service marks the first time British Airways has opened its aircraft doors to allow any special photography by Google Maps for Street View.

The new map also means customers travelling through London City Airport can use the service to navigate their way around the only airport actually in London - allowing them to explore and ‘visit’ check-in, duty-free and check-out before their flight.

An information overlay has also been added to the tour to enable users to find out more about parts of the airport such as details of concessions, locating points of interest and directions on how to get from A to B.

The photography took place earlier this year, when panoramic photographer Hugh Flouch, from Red Wheelbarrow Photography, spent three days using a specially rigged DSLR camera for to capture every passenger area ‘on film’ - including the airport’s entrance, check-in area, cafes, relaxing restaurants and seating areas for customers.

Private lounge: A 360-degree tour of the British Airways private lounge is available online

British Airways teamed up with London City Airport to create the first airport airside tour on the website

The thousands of high-resolution digital images were then carefully ‘mapped’ together to create a seamless virtual experience.

Customers on the business-only flight – which carries Concorde’s old flight numbers – can enjoy a ‘private jet’ experience, with three cabin crew to serve a specially prepared in-flight menu, fine wines and snacks as they wing their way in privacy across the Atlantic.

In-flight entertainment is shown on specially configured iPads and OnAir connectivity allows passengers to stay in touch with friends, family, or the office, online.

Until the end of September, British Airways has also been offering every customer flying from London City to New York a full-sized bottle of unisex Penhaligon’s fragrance and has been serving cocktails inspired by some of the ingredients that go into every bottle of the fragrance.

Stephen Humphreys, British Airways’ head of global sales, said: 'From the comfort of their own home, customers can now take their own private virtual tour of one of our specially configured Airbus A318s and peek inside British Airways’ private lounge, so they can see for themselves just how exclusive the Club World London City service is.

'Linking two of the world’s biggest financial centres, this bespoke business class service has become a firm favourite for business and leisure travellers, looking to work and relax as they fly across the Atlantic in style straight to New York’s JFK.'

British Airways has never before opened its aircraft doors to allow any photography by Google for Street View

In-flight entertainment is shown on specially configured iPads and OnAir internet is available

Customers on the flight can enjoy a ‘private jet’ experience with cabin crew serving a prepared in-flight menu

Alison Fitzgerald, CIO of London City Airport said: 'London City Airport is leading the way in using new technology to enhance the customer experience. 

'That experience starts at home when you book or check-in, and the Street View trusted tour is an exciting addition. 

'It will help passengers to plan their journey and for those who have never visited London City Airport, they can see what they have been missing out on.'

Thousands of high-resolution digital images were carefully ‘mapped’ together to create virtual experience

Earlier this year Google Street View launched its underwater images - where holidaymakers can dive into Florida Keys from home as reefs and wrecks were mapped for the first time.

Researchers created a Google ‘street view’ of the world’s coral reefs and other underwater scenes with 360-degree photos that reveal the marvels of marine life in stunning detail.

The captivating panoramas show the wonders of the ocean like they have never been seen before. 

Kenya’s Samburu National Park was also launched on Google Maps earlier this month.

Internet users can now take a virtual tour of the safari, who worked together with Google Maps and charity, Save the Elephants, to set up the footage to promote wildlife conservation.

Comments (74)

Share what you think

• Newest
• Oldest
• Best rated
• Worst rated

 View all

The comments below have not been moderated.

 View all

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now