British Airways has unveiled a new recruitment centre based at Waterside, the airline’s head office near Heathrow.

The new centre, which replaces the previous off site location some five miles away from head office, will offer candidates the chance to see inside the airline’s global headquarters ahead of their interview.

Following their arrival and greeting by uniform staff, candidates will be able to ‘relax’ in a dedicated lounge area. From the lounge area candidates are then led down corridors decorated with large aviation themed photographic prints adding to the heritage “To Fly. To Serve” motifs and modern materials that create a hushed, stylish and professional environment akin to one of the airlines’ airport lounges.

There are 28 interview rooms, a range of assessment and test rooms, and presentations suites. Each is named after an aircraft from the airline’s past, with an accompanying silhouette drawing.

The recruitment centre can accommodate as many as 500 interviews a week during peak recruiting periods and during quieter times the facilities are also available for use by other parts of the business.

The modern centre also represents a substantial cost saving for the airline in comparison to the previous off site recruitment facility, known as ‘The Rivers’.

Philip Osmond, British Airways director of business services, said: “This state of the art facility can now welcome candidates into the heart of our business and will leave them with a long lasting impression and a true understanding of our motto To Fly. To Serve.”