Award-winning film star Michelle Yeoh was on hand to watch world-famous shoe designer Jimmy Choo fit a pair of dazzling crystal high heels on British model Georgia May Jagger to help kick off the celebrations in Kuala Lumpur to mark the start of British Airways’ newest long-haul route.

The first of the new direct daily flights arrived in Kuala Lumpur today (May 28) to put one of Asia’s most dynamic cities firmly on the British Airways route map.

With scores of film credits behind her, including Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Malaysian-born Michelle Yeoh was famously described by 007 star Pierce Brosnan as ‘a female James Bond’ after she co-starred with him in Tomorrow Never Dies. She was also named by People magazine as one of the ’50 Most Beautiful People in The World’.

London-based Malaysian shoe and fashion designer Jimmy Choo is world-renowned for his high-end stylish women’s shoes, and shot to fame when his iconic designs featured in the world-wide TV hit, Sex and the City.

Stephen Humphreys, British Airways’ head of UKI sales and marketing, said: “Kuala Lumpur is the star of one of Asia’s power-house economies with a strong focus on tourism and international trade, so it’s very exciting to be able to offer our customers daily flights.

“We are seeing very strong demand for the route from business and leisure customers alike, eager to explore the huge commercial opportunities Malaysia offers, as well as offering stunning places to visit and explore for holiday-makers.

“With its thriving economy and strong connections to the UK, this new route underlines our confidence in the region and opens up scores of connecting routes to destinations throughout Malaysia and beyond.”

Customers on the new daily service from Terminal 5 will fly in comfort and style on a British Airways four-cabin Boeing 777-200ER, featuring 12 seats in First, 48 in Club World, 32 in World Traveller Plus and a further 127 in World Traveller.

The BA033 will depart T5 daily at 8.15pm, arriving into Kuala Lumpur 12 hours 50 minutes later 4.05pm (local). Whereas the returning BA034 will leave Kuala Lumpur at 11.05pm (local) and arrive back into Heathrow’s T5 at 5.25am the next morning.

Return fares start from £589 for World traveller, £1,063 for World Traveller Plus, £2,517 for Club World and £3,917 for First. All prices include taxes and charges.