16 Dec BA Goes All Out to Spread Christmas Joy

Image by Wael from Pixabay

British Airways is going all out to spread Christmas joy and yuletide surprises with its British Original Christmas in 2024, including a bespoke seasonal menu on board, celebrations across London Heathrow and Gatwick, and special gifts for customers in all cabins this December. 

Festive touches on the ground 

Customers traveling through the airline’s Heathrow and Gatwick lounges can pick up special gifts at pop-up festive stalls featuring original British brands, such as individually wrapped chocolates by Harry Specters and The Cocobean Company in its Club (business class) lounges, and hand-piped baked goods by Biscuiteers in the Concorde Room. Those visiting the Concorde Room between 23 and 25 December can also enjoy a special premium tipple by sampling Talisker’s exclusive limited-edition 45-year-old Scotch whisky. 

A bespoke winter picnic menu will also be available in all British Airways Heathrow lounges, including mince pies, brie and cranberry sandwiches, and a specially crafted Christmas cocktail for those looking to enjoy some festive fare. In the airline’s First lounge, Santa’s helpers will be on hand to offer to wrap last-minute gifts for customers, with specially designed snowflake wrapping paper incorporating the airline’s iconic speedmarque. 

Christmas magic is in the air

Customers can expect the magic to continue with further festive touches on board from specially designed headrest covers, to a dedicated Christmas inflight entertainment channel. The airline’s culinary team have also created a traditional British turkey dinner featuring all the trimmings, alongside a vegetarian option, available to enjoy on long-haul flights on selected routes. Over 250,000 turkey dinners are expected to fly across the world on board British Airways’ aircraft this Christmas, including over 700,000 Brussels sprouts and 40,000 pigs in blankets*.

Festive drinks are covered too, whether it’s a warm cup of Twinings Christmas tea or a glass of BrewDog Hoppy Christmas IPA. First and Club World (long-haul business class) customers can tuck into a special afternoon tea on board, complete with a luxurious chocolate éclair and traditional fruitcake, and can sip a special winter warmer cocktail, featuring Johnnie Walker Blue in First and Johnnie Walker Black in Club World. 

In First, customers can expect a limited-edition Alice Temperley amenity kit throughout December, with an intricate design inspired by flights through starry skies at 35,000ft. Continuing the tradition started last year, those travelling from 23 to 25 December can add another collectible Christmas bauble to their tree. This year’s edition features a beautiful, hand-painted design incorporating Indian and British landmarks to mark 100 years of British Airways connecting the UK to India. 

Club World customers will be offered a bespoke box of British Cartwright & Butler fudge. Customers hoping to get into the holiday spirit in World Traveller (economy) will receive a complimentary Christmas hat with their meal between 15 and 27 December. 

The airline’s youngest travelers can enjoy festive chocolate treats, Peggy and Leon activity sheets and can send special mail directly to the North Pole by posting it through Santa’s letterbox in its Heathrow Terminal 5 lounges. 

Calum Laming, Chief Customer Officer at British Airways, said: “Christmas is such a special time, and this year is no different. We want to make it truly special, so we have pulled out all the stops to spread some cheer and create a truly British Original Christmas. 

“To our customers, wherever you are traveling and however you may celebrate, we hope that you enjoy our extra touches throughout your journey this festive season delivered by our incredible colleagues. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas!” 

Christmas has also landed on the airline’s short-haul flights, where customers can choose from a selection of festive delights through its High Life Café. This includes Tom Kerridge’s ultimate turkey feast sandwich, The Jolly Hog ‘pigs in blankets’ roll, sweet treats from Pullins Bakery, as well as a variety of drinks including Brewdog’s Elf lager and Bottlegreen Edwards’ Vodka Raspberry Spritz. In Club Europe (short-haul business class), customers can enjoy the airline’s festive menu on selected routes from 4 to 27 December.

Spreading the cheer elsewhere 

British Airways is proud to sponsor the Royal Albert Hall this December, as part of its ‘Christmas at the Hall’ carol concerts. All donations raised at the concerts will be split between Alzheimer’s Society and the Royal Albert Hall’s engagement program, which promotes well-being through creativity. The airline also welcomed the Alzheimer’s Society choir to its Christmas lights-on event, to spread Christmas cheer for customers and colleagues at Heathrow Terminal 5.  

To date, the airline has raised more than £270,000 for Alzheimer’s Society, and customers can learn more about the airline’s partnership by visiting the BA Better World Community Fund website.