BA has a new route from London Heathrow to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, and the celebrations coincided with the city’s annual Mardi Gras.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner was specially decorated throughout for the flight which was full of journalists, contest winners, celebrities and musicians, alongside paying passengers.

As well as presenting his programme, Nigel hosted the on-board entertainment which featured live performances from jazz saxophonist Yolanda Brown and the winner’s of BA’s busking competition (Cherise Adams-Burnett, 21, from Luton, 25-year-old Jamie Brownfield, from Powys in Wales, and 21-year-old Londoner Quinn Oulton). The competition was judged by Yolanda and singer, songwriter and pianist, Jon Cleary. Nicole Scherzinger and Jodie Kidd were also on board.

Of the event, Nigel Williams said “It was a privilege to be asked to host this genuinely unique event. The combination of music, food and cocktails ignited the Mardi Gras spirit from take-off. I am proud of the innovation in our programme, once again showing that radio has an important role to play in future of digital media. We were able to use the medium’s flexibility to create a programme that not only invited our listeners to the on-board party, but also represented the very spirit of the birthplace of Jazz.”

Jazz FM’s Content Director Nick Pitts said “Jazz FM does it again, melding our passion for jazz with creating compelling and accessible programmes for our listeners not lucky enough to be going to New Orleans at the time! We continually push the boundaries as we strive to deliver stand-out content, be it from deep East Sussex at Love Supreme, our ground-breaking collaboration with the BBC to our various trips around the world including our award winning Amalfi Coast OB. This is another example of Jazz FM rising to yet another challenge.”

Emily Coen from British Airways added: “We were thrilled when Jazz FM said they were on board as they are the experts after all! The atmosphere during the VIP charter flight and when in New Orleans was incredible and Jazz FM captured it brilliantly for their listeners.”

Nigel Williams Saturday Show – direct from flight BA9125 was broadcast on Saturday 25th February between 1000-1400. This programme is available on catchup at  http://www.jazzfm.com/player/od/7417/" rel="nofollow - JazzFM.com .

from http://radiotoday.co.uk