Our regular feature, brought to you in association with Strange Nature Gin from New Zealand, celebrates memorable scenes, moments, launches and campaigns related to the global aviation and travel retail sphere.
UK. Today’s images come courtesy of Heathrow Airport as the UK hub ‘comes together’ to mark 60 years since The Beatles’ first trip to North America.
The world-known band – whose fame lives on through its songs and surviving group members Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr – landed at Heathrow, then known as London Airport, on their return from North America on 22 February 1964. They were welcomed by 4,000 fans.
To celebrate the anniversary of their return, colleagues from the Heathrow Terminal 5 Passenger Experience Team have recreated three of The Beatles’ most famous album covers: Abbey Road, The Red Album, and Help!
Popular songs by The Beatles are also being played across Heathrow’s terminals today to commemorate band members Paul, Ringo, John Lennon and George Harrison’s return to home soil.
The Beatles departed on Pan Am flight 101 from Heathrow Airport to New York City on 7 February 1964, just one week after their hit single I Want to Hold Your Hand reached number one on the Billboard Charts. During the trip the Liverpudlian band became the most well-known group in the US and quickly achieved 17 Top 40 singles and six number one hits.
In its 78-year history, Heathrow Airport has played a key role in numerous historical moments including Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II first stepping foot on UK soil after becoming sovereign while in Kenya in February 1952. Members of the England Rugby Team were welcomed home at Heathrow following their 2003 World Cup win, and the airport witnessed The Beatles’ departure and arrival for their subsequent 1966 North America tour.
Emotional Heathrow welcomes and reunions, which are witnessed daily by Heathrow Airport employees, also featured in the opening scene of the romantic-comedy film Love Actually. ✈
