Apart from flying us all safely around the world, if there’s one other thing British Airways does really well, it’s great adverts.

And the London-based national carrier has launched a heart-warming new brand campaign featuring some of Britain’s biggest stars.

‘Made by Britain’, the campaign was created by agency Ogilvy and will get its first airing tonight (Friday) simultaneously on ITV1 and Channel 4 at 9.30pm.

The campaign includes a raft of A-list stars of the screen including Gary Oldman, Olivia Colman and Riz Ahmed, and also sporting stars Anthony Joshua, Ellie Simmonds, Nicola Adams, Chris Robshaw, Harriet Millar-Mills and Anthony Watson.

If that wasn’t enough musical icons Paloma Faith and The Kingdom Choir (with a cameo from David Bowie), alongside contemporary artist Grayson Perry, anthropologist Jane Goodall, chef and TV presenter Matilda Ramsay and Helen Sharman, the first Briton in space.

Love letter to Brits

BA’s new ad celebrates our rich diversity. There’s even a cute little animated teddy bear.

All the famous faces were brought together as leaders in their respective fields and who are playing an integral role in shaping the modern Britain of both today and the future.

The campaign features customers, cabin crew, pilots and engineers from across the airline as they carry out the final touches for an incredible British Airways flight – BA100.

The ad aims to provide a snapshot of modern-day Britain, the iconic British superstars take their seats alongside people from all walks of life.

As they make their journey on board, they each recount the values that they feel make Britain such a special place.

Paloma Faith admires the Brits’ sense of style, while Olivia Colman and Anthony Joshua comment on the nation’s ability to pick themselves up when things get tough.

Uniquely British

Every pioneering individual shares their message of thanks in their own uniquely British way.

Signing off with the message, ‘We love you Britain. You make us who we are’ and the brand message: ‘British Airways. Made By Britain’, the ad sets out to deliver the message that it’s the airline’s customers, both past and present, who have made it what it is today.

“Celebrating our centenary is a real milestone in aviation and British industrial history”, said Carolina Martinoli, British Airways’ Director of Brand and Customer Experience.

“This campaign is about thanking the amazing people who fly with us, work with us and partner with us.

As it’s our 100th birthday, we plan to make this year very special for all of them – past and present – which is underpinned by our ongoing £6.5bn investment programme to deliver new aircraft, cabins, service and destinations.

“Our airline has been forged over 100 years. As we are inherently made by Britain it’s fitting that our campaign captures and celebrates everything great about our home nation.”

Actor Gary Oldman, said: “I’m honoured to be part of the BA100 and to help British Airways celebrate their 100th birthday.

It’s an incredible milestone for the Nation’s flag carrier.

Olivia Colman, commented: “I fly with British Airways a lot, but this is the first time I’ve been on board with so many incredible British people and I got to drink tea all day!”

Anthony Joshua, said: “It’s an honour to be asked to help British Airways celebrate such a huge anniversary. I feel privileged to have been involved in the BA 100 alongside people like Olivia Colman and Gary Oldman.”

Beyond the brand marketing campaign, the airline will be hosting a range of activities and events to mark its Centenary year, including reflecting on it its history by painting aircraft with much loved designs from history, with the first, the BOAC livery to be painted on a current Boeing 747, which will re-join the fleet in mid-February.