British Airways is the official airline of the British & Irish Lions Tour. The partnership will see the airline fly the squad and coaching staff to South Africa and provide domestic flights within the country through its branded franchise carrier, Comair.

British Airways has a strong rugby tradition. It backed the 2005 Lions tour of New Zealand and England's 2003 successful World Cup campaign among many other sporting occasions. The Lions Tour of 2009 will bring the British & Irish Lions team and thousands of English, Irish, Welsh and Scottish fans to South Africa. For these fans and the thousands of others flying to the republic, Comair will operate flights to the seven matches and three tests around the country.

Luisa Fernandez, British Airways Global Sponsorship Manager said: “The Lions Tour is a great sporting event followed on an international level by rugby fans over the world. We are proud to be the official airline to help the team arrive as well prepared as possible,”

As of May British Airways increased flights to South Africa to accommodate demand.