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Manchester indie behind Channel 5 documentary on British Airways

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Manchester indie Title Role Productions is behind a new two-part documentary on British Airways that launches on Channel 5 tonight.

British Airways: 100 Years in the Sky marks almost a centenary since August 1919 when a single-engined De Havilland DH4A aircraft, owned by the Air Transport and Travel Company, lifted off from Hounslow Heath near London and made the first international scheduled flight.

Mixing interviews and archive, the series charts the development of the early years of the company before it developed into a government-owned company, navigated the turbulent skies of World War Two and evolved into the British Airways that we know today.

Episode 1, which airs tonight at 9pm, opens with a look at the first companies and passengers that braved open cockpits, wicker chairs and no onboard toilets.

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British Airways: 100 Years in the Sky will cover the history of the iconic airline


It then charts the rapid pace of technological change, visiting the world’s first passenger terminal at Croydon Airport, before covering the advent of the jet age and concluding with one of the darkest chapters in civil aviation as the glamorous world of flight is shattered by international terrorism. Episode 2 will be shown next Tuesday, May 8th.

Nick Broughall, series producer at Title Role, said: “British Airways were fantastic to work with. They provided access to their incredible archive and the footage that we’ve included really makes the programmes feel special.

“People were really happy to be involved in the programmes which I think is testament to how they feel about such an iconic British brand.”

Executive producer Helen Tonge added: “This was a great documentary series to produce. Not only were we delighted to secure the commission, it was a real honour to be able to tell the story of such a prestigious and well-loved company.”

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