British Airways has set a new Guinness World Records title with comedians Dara O Briain, Jack Whitehall and Jon Richardson, for hosting the ‘highest stand-up comedy gig in the world’.

The smile high gig, which took place on Saturday, March 12, raised almost £100,000 for Red Nose Day, as part of the airline’s partnership with Comic Relief.

The comedians performed for 45 minutes at 35,000ft, to a crowd of 180 guests and prize winners, to set the new world record. The comedy gig was hosted on flight BA9230c, on a dedicated British Airways A321 aircraft from London Terminal 5, flying over the UK for two and a half hours.

Keeping the crowd in high spirits, Jack Whitehall joked: “I was looking forward to today – after all it’s the only gig where people can’t walk out. If you want to heckle you’ll have to press the call button.”

Dara O Briain, who was last to perform, said: “I told the Captain I’d bang twice on the locker like this when I was on – so he can take the aircraft to 37,000ft and beat Jack and Jon’s record!”

Since the partnership launched in June 2010, the airline has raised in excess of £700,000* so far for ‘Flying Start’ – the airline’s charity partnership with Comic Relief, which aims to transform the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged children in the UK and around the world.

British Airways Captain Brian Connolly, said: “It was an honour to Captain this very special flight today. I’m proud to be able to say that I’m a Guinness World Records holder, and of course – member of the Smile High Club!”

Footage from the event will be made available shortly at: www.youtube.com/britishairways

For further information, please visit: www.facebook.com/britishairways

Red Nose Day takes place this Friday (March 18), when the great British public will once again be asked to Do Something Funny for Money. 

ENDS

*figure accurate as of March 10, 2011

Notes to Editors

- British Airways would like to thank everyone who supported this flight, including BA customers, the comedians – Dara, Jack and Jon, the Guinness World Records and Q8 for donating the fuel

-The event was adjudicated by Guinness World Records editor-in-chief Craig Glenday

-Fundraising was achieved through a text competition to win a place on board

-As of March 10, 2011 the airline had raised £95,800 from the ‘highest stand up gig’ event. The final sum will be confirmed on Red Nose Day (March 18, 2011) and is expected to reach £100,000

-An independent adjudicator (SMP) selected competition winners. For a list of full terms and conditions, please visit www.facebook.com/britishairways

-The airline offset a carbon emissions fee for every guest on board the flight

-In order to set a new Guinness World Records title, the comedians had to be a professional standard and perform a stand-up routine lasting at least two minutes. The aircraft also had to remain at 35,000ft for the duration of the performances.

-Look out for special red nose aircraft currently in service to mark Red Nose Day!

-British Airways is the only year-round partner for Comic Relief.

-Comic Relief is a registered charity 326568 (England/Wales); SC039730 (Scotland).

-British Airways has a long-standing corporate responsibility programme, which has supported responsible air travel since 1984. ‘One Destination’ is our vision to ensure we lead the industry in how we fly, what we fly and what we buy, across the environment, community, marketplace and workplace.

-To join in the fun go to www.rednoseday.com and find out how you can get involved.·         By raising cash this Red Nose Day, you’re helping to change lives forever.  That’s because Comic Relief spends all the money raised by the public to give extremely vulnerable and disadvantaged people in the UK and Africa a helping hand to turn their lives around.

-Comic Relief was launched on Christmas Day in 1985, live on BBC One.  At that time, a devastating famine was crippling Ethiopia and something had to be done.  That something was Comic Relief.  The idea was simple – Comic Relief would make the public laugh while they raised money to help people in desperate need.  Before too long, Red Nose Day was created and the first ever event in 1988 raised a staggering £15m.  To date, twelve Red Nose Days have raised more than £500m.  That money has helped, and is helping, to support people and communities in dire need both in the UK and Africa.