British Airways i360, the world’s tallest moving observation tower, opened on the Brighton seafront on August 4.

Groups of up to 200 visitors are now able to soar to a height of 138m in a futuristic, fully enclosed, hand-crafted glass viewing pod to admire breath-taking 360-degree views across England’s south coast.

While onboard the pod, visitors are able to enjoy a drink at the Nyetimber Sky Bar as they admire the panoramic views unfolding before them.

Twelve years in the making, British Airways i360 is the brainchild of architect-entrepreneurs David Marks and Julia Barfield of Marks Barfield Architects, best known as the practice that conceived and designed the world-famous London Eye.

With echoes of the opening of Brighton’s majestic West Pier 150 years ago, world-class engineering has led to the creation of British Airways i360, which has an elegant, modern design that looks to the future while respecting the heritage of the site.

Architect and British Airways i360 chairman David Marks said: “Built at the landward end of Brighton’s historic West Pier, British Airways i360 is a modern day ‘vertical pier’ that gives a new perspective on the city.”

British Airways i360 director, Julia Barfield, added: “British Airways i360 is a fantastic example of European co-operation.

“The team includes many key individuals and firms we worked with on the London Eye and it has been our privilege over the past twelve years to see the commitment, determination and enterprise with which they have turned the designs and plans into reality.”