A leading airline created a special occasion for a young north-east woman by rolling out the red-carpet treatment.

British Airways surprised 26-year-old Hannah Smith on an unforgettable holiday to Las Vegas.

The Aberdeen woman had booked a holiday to the party town to celebrate being cancer-free, after falling ill with a rare malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour two years ago.

The illness, which saw Miss Smith undergo painful treatment for a year, left her with difficulties walking.

But she and her pals were astonished when they arrived at Heathrow’s Terminal 5 to find they had been upgraded, with all the perks that come with it, including free champagne, flat bed suites and access to plush lounges.

After the flight, the group were whisked off to Las Vegas’ most iconic resort – Caesars Palace – where they were upgraded from their standard rooms at the Nobu Hotel’s Hakone Suite.

Miss Smith said: “Being ill makes you realise that life is for living - and Las Vegas is certainly a place to feel alive!

“Our trip turned from a holiday in to a something out of a Hollywood film, with limos, helicopters, a glamorous hotel suite, even a private breakfast for us with a local celebrity chef overlooking the Grand Canyon.

“It was more than I could ever have dreamed of, I’ll never forget it.” Adam Daniels, British Airways’ chief commercial officer, said: “One of the nicest things about flying customers all over the world is having the opportunity to make their trip special.

“Hannah and the friends who supported her deserved a really memorable trip, and with our good friends in Las Vegas, we were able to create something really magical.