(Credit: britishairways)  British Airways flew 37 players from  British & Irish Lions departing Edinburgh to Johannesburg Jan. 27, 2021.

DIPLOMATIC TIMES STAFF REPORT

British Airways welcomed the 37-strong British & Irish Lions squad on board a special charter flight Sunday, as they travelled from Edinburgh to Johannesburg for the start of their eagerly-awaited South African Tour. Following their clash against Japan for The Vodafone Lions 1888 Cup at BT Murrayfield Stadium Saturday  they were greeted with warm words of encouragement by the crew of flight BA9111, including their pilot Captain Richard Allen-Williams, British Airways’ Chief Pilot, Training.  The trip comes despite South Africa remaining on the UK Government’s red list.

2021 British & Irish Lions Tour To South Africa British & Irish Lions with British Airways, Edinburgh, Scotland 27/6/2021.  British Airways Captain Richard Allen-Williams with Lions Captain Conor Murray, Louis Rees-Zammit and Mascot BIL.  (CREDIT:  ©INPHO/Billy Stickland)

The eight-game tour of South Africa will see the best players from the UK & Ireland pitted against the World Champions, the Springboks, during three Tests. The Lions and Springboks squads will both be carried across the country during the Tour by British Airways’ franchise partner, Comair.

Sean Doyle, British Airways’ Chairman and CEO, said:

“We are honoured to be flying The British & Irish Lions to South Africa ahead of their Tour. After a difficult year, we look forward to uniting the nation through sport and cheering them on. From everyone at British Airways, we wish them the best of luck and hope to carry them home as champions.”

Ben Calveley, Managing Director for The British & Irish Lions, said:

“We are delighted to be flying with British Airways for the 2021 Castle Lager Lions Series. We know the squad and management will receive a warm welcome from British Airways staff and enjoy a safe, comfortable journey to South Africa, landing in Johannesburg ready to take on the world champions.”

-Lions Tour 2021: Match Highlights

2021 British & Irish Lions Tour To South Africa British & Irish Lions with British Airways, Edinburgh, Scotland 27/6/2021. (Credit: British Airways)

2021 British & Irish Lions Tour To South Africa British & Irish Lions with British Airways, Edinburgh, Scotland 27/6/2021.  (British Airways)

• The British & Irish Lions have toured South Africa on 13 previous occasions, with the first Tour taking place in 1891. In that time, the Lions have won four Test series, lost eight with one drawn. Their overall record against the Springboks is played 46, won 17, lost 23 and drawn six. The 2021 Castle Lager Lions Series schedule includes:
• Saturday 3 July:  Emirates Lions v The British & Irish Lions (Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg) KO 18h00 (SAT) / 17h00 (BST)
• Wednesday 7 July: Cell C Sharks v The British & Irish Lions (Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg) KO 20h00 (SAT) / 19h00 (BST)
• Saturday 10 July: Vodacom Bulls v The British & Irish Lions (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria) KO 18h00 (SAT) / 17h00 (BST)
• Wednesday 14 July: South Africa ‘A’ v The British & Irish Lions (Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town) KO 20h00 (SAT) / 19h00 (BST)
• Saturday 17 July: DHL Stormers v The British & Irish Lions (Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town) KO 18h00 (SAT) / 17h00 (BST)
• Saturday 24 July: Springboks v The British & Irish Lions (1st Test, Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town) KO 18h00 (SAT) / 17h00 (BST)
• Saturday 31 July: Springboks v The British & Irish Lions (2nd Test, FNB Stadium, Johannesburg) KO 18h00 (SAT) / 17h00 (BST)
• Saturday 7 Aug: Springboks v The British & Irish Lions (3rd Test, FNB Stadium, Johannesburg) KO 18h00 (SAT) / 17h00 (BST)

• The flight route between Edinburgh and Johannesburg is approximately 5,950 miles