British Airways has launched a new service for premium customers, designed to eliminate missed connections at Heathrow.

The new Premium Transfer Drive service offers eligible customers a car transfer from their domestic flight to an onward BA short or long-haul service, where there is a risk of them otherwise missing the connection.

The service is available to the following customers when connecting from a UK domestic service:

  • Passengers connecting onto a short-haul flight in Club Europe
  • Passengers connecting onto a long-haul flight in either Club World or First
  • Silver or Gold Executive Club members

BA says that its team at Heathrow “will track these customers, and where there’s a risk they will miss their connection, will provide an ‘airside’ car transfer between one flight and the next”.

A message will also be sent to the inbound aircraft, so that cabin crew can inform the customer that a car will be waiting, “thereby alleviating any stress or worry”.

Commenting on the new service Carolina Martinoli, British Airways’ new director of brand and customer experience, said:

“Missing a connection is one of the most stressful situations a customer can experience, so helping them through that journey and keeping them informed is critical.

“The new premium transfer service will enable us to identify customers who are at risk of missing their onward flight, and proactively arrange to collect them by car, whisking them directly to their next flight.

“We’re already receiving great customer feedback from customers who have benefitted from the new service and as wifi is introduced on our aircraft, we’ll also be able to use that to communicate directly with customers about their onward flight.”

BA is currently in the process of investing £400 million in its Club World service, with a new restaurant-style dining service launching on its Heathrow-New York service tomorrow, and new White Company bedding and amenity kits being introduced this autumn.

ba.com