British Airways Elevates Holiday Spirits with Festive Offerings
As the holiday season approaches, British Airways is gearing up to spread festive joy among its passengers with several seasonal enhancements. The airline has announced a comprehensive array of festive initiatives, both at its terminals and on board, to ensure passengers experience the joy of the season from the ground up. These festive offerings will be available from the start of the holiday season until December 27, 2024.
Starting at London’s major hubs, London-Heathrow (LHR) and London-Gatwick (LGW), passengers will encounter holiday cheer as soon as they enter the British Airways lounges. The lounges will feature decorative festive elements and passengers will have the opportunity to purchase unique gifts from pop-up stalls showcasing renowned British brands. These include handmade chocolates and artisanal baked goods, perfect for last-minute gift-giving.
For those visiting the prestigious Heathrow Concorde Room from December 23 to 25, 2024, a rare treat awaits. A limited tasting of Talisker’s 45-year-old Scotch whisky will be offered, providing a luxurious toast to the season. Additionally, a special winter picnic menu will be available across all Heathrow lounges, featuring festive favorites like mince pies, brie and cranberry sandwiches, and a custom Christmas cocktail.
Enhanced In-flight Festive Experience
In the air, the festive atmosphere continues. Passengers will be greeted by specially designed headrest covers and can enjoy a dedicated Christmas inflight entertainment channel, featuring holiday-themed movies, music, and shows. The culinary offerings include a traditional British roast turkey dinner with all the trimmings, and a vegetarian alternative, ensuring all passengers can indulge in a festive meal. This option is available on long-haul flights across selected routes, aiming to serve over 250,000 holiday meals during the season.
Festive-themed drinks such as the BrewDog Hoppy Christmas IPA and a winter warmer cocktail made with Johnnie Walker whiskies will be available. First and business-class passengers on long-haul flights will also enjoy a bespoke chocolate éclair and traditional fruitcake to complement their dining experience.
First class passengers will receive an exclusive Alice Temperley amenity kit throughout December. Additionally, as a special holiday gesture, passengers traveling from December 23 to 25 will receive a collectible Christmas bauble, this year featuring a hand-painted design that honors the 100th anniversary of British Airways’ flights connecting the UK to India.
Engaging the Younger Audience
Young travelers are not forgotten, with festive chocolate treats and ‘Peggy and Leon’ activity sheets available to keep them entertained. A special feature in the Heathrow Terminal 5 lounges is Santa’s letterbox, where children can post their letters to Santa, adding an element of magical anticipation to their journey.
Calum Laming, Chief Customer Officer at British Airways, emphasized the airline’s commitment to delivering a memorable holiday experience. “Christmas is a special time, and we are dedicated to making it uniquely delightful for our passengers. Our teams are excited to deliver these festive touches and ensure a joyful journey,” he stated.
Short-haul Flights: Festive Delights on Board
Passengers on short-haul flights will also enjoy festive treats. The menu includes items like the ultimate turkey feast sandwich, designed by acclaimed British chef Tom Kerridge, and a pigs in blankets roll. These are part of a larger selection of festive items available through the buy-onboard catering service.
In the Club Europe cabins, passengers can enjoy a special holiday menu on selected routes from December 24 to 27, 2024. This initiative ensures that the festive spirit is a part of every British Airways flight, regardless of the duration or destination.