Visit the free ‘BA2119 – Flight of the Future’ exhibition at Saatchi Gallery

As part of its 100th birthday celebrations, British Airways is running a special event in August at the Saatchi Gallery in London.

To quote:

What will aviation look like in 20 years, 40 years, 60 years and beyond?

Through in-depth research, and in partnership with the Royal College of Art and world-leading virtual realists, British Airways presents BA 2119: Flight of the Future. An exhibition at Saatchi Gallery which seeks to push the boundaries of imagination and explore how future generations will circumnavigate the globe in a world of advanced jet propulsion, hyper personalisation, automation, AI, modular transport, sustainability, health and entertainment. We hope you enjoy it. 

The exhibition itself is free.  However, for £20, you can take part in a virtual reality experience:

Immerse yourself in the evolution of flight through a first-of-its-kind interactive, multisensory virtual reality experience that traces humankind’s relationship with flight.

Built by multiple award-winning VR creators and an Oscar-winning practical effects team, Fly turns you into a time-travelling pilot, from the earliest imaginings of Leonard da Vinci and his ornithopter, to the Wright Brothers’ first successful attempt at Kitty Beach, to British Airways’ predecessor, Air Transport and Travel’s inaugural flight to Paris. Travel on Concorde before jumping to today’s A350 and onwards to a possible vision of the future of aviation.

The VR experience lasts for 8 minutes and must be prebooked here.  When you look at the small print it begins to sound more interesting:

“Ticket holders will be participating in a multi-sensory, interactive virtual reality experience, that you will experience on top of a motion platform.”

“FLY is a fully immersive experience, including visuals, sound, heat, scent and wind.”

“FLY is a single experience so only one person can book into any given 15 minute interval on the main motion platform.”

…. although in truth it isn’t fully clear how it works.

Rhys and I will be at a preview of the exhibition before it opens to the public on 1st August, so hopefully we can take a look and report back.

Visiting information

The Saatchi Gallery is on Kings Road, a short walk from Sloane Square tube station.  The exhibition runs from 1st to 26th August.

You can learn more about the exhibition and VR experience on the Saatchi Gallery website here.

£20 tickets for the VR experience can be booked via ba.com here.

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How to earn Avios from UK credit cards (April 2025)

As a reminder, there are various ways of earning Avios points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses!

In February 2022, Barclaycard launched two exciting new Barclaycard Avios Mastercard cards with a bonus of up to 25,000 Avios. You can apply here.

You qualify for the bonus on these cards even if you have a British Airways American Express card:

Barclaycard Avios Plus Mastercard

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Barclaycard Avios Mastercard

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There are two official British Airways American Express cards with attractive sign-up bonuses:

British Airways American Express Premium Plus

30,000 Avios and the famous annual 2-4-1 voucher Read our full review

British Airways American Express

5,000 Avios for signing up and an Economy 2-4-1 voucher for spending £15,000 Read our full review

You can also get generous sign-up bonuses by applying for American Express cards which earn Membership Rewards points. These points convert at 1:1 into Avios.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

Your best beginner’s card – 30,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review

The Platinum Card from American Express

80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

Run your own business?

We recommend Capital on Tap for limited companies. You earn 1 Avios per £1 which is impressive for a Visa card, and the standard card is FREE. Capital on Tap cards also have no FX fees.

Capital on Tap Visa

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Capital on Tap Pro Visa

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There is also a British Airways American Express card for small businesses:

British Airways American Express Accelerating Business

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There are also generous bonuses on the two American Express Business cards, with the points converting at 1:1 into Avios. These cards are open to sole traders as well as limited companies.

American Express Business Platinum

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American Express Business Gold

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Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which earn Avios. This includes both personal and small business cards.