What’s new from British Airways
As High Life rings in the New Year, we’re celebrating new wines to enjoy on board, a charity partnership helping to feed those in need and not one, not two, but three Italian additions to the route network. Here’s the latest from British Airways this month
01/01/2025
La dolce vita: three new Italian routes taking off
Your summer break is sorted, as British Airways adds three stunning Italian destinations to its network from May 2025. Take off to the mountainous Campania region on Italy’s Amalfi Coast via new destination, Salerno. Hidden away from more touristic hotspots, Salerno sits between stunning mountains and a lovely coastline, taking in elevated castles, ancient ruins and a favourite local promenade spot, Lungomare Trieste. With its airport only recently opened to commercial flights, it’s still relatively undiscovered compared to its higher profile Amalfi neighbours.
For something beachier, why not try new route Rimini? With more than 15km of white sands stretched along its seafront, there is an abundance of space to enjoy the sparkling blue waters of the Adriatic Sea. After a day on the beach, hit the town and soak up the nightlife culture with plenty of fun-filled bars and clubs dotted along the coastline.
Finally, enjoy the island retreat you have always dreamed of as you land in Olbia in Sardinia, the second-largest island in the Mediterranean. Olbia, which sits on Sardinia’s sunny northeastern coast, is all about boutiques, wine bars, local culture and café-packed piazzas, making it an easy-living getaway.
New wines on board
From 6 January, those flying in First will be able to try one of Château d’Esclans’ greatest wines from the comfort of their seat. The much-loved Provence winery behind popular favourite Whispering Angel is the architect of the ‘Rosé Renaissance’, and its namesake wine Château d’Esclans is the first of the winery's estate wines, with all grapes grown at the Château itself. Aged in oak barrels and made with a technique similar to that of a Burgundy, this rich, complex wine has notes of vanilla and baking spices and pairs brilliantly with food.
Fans of fizz, meanwhile, should keep their eyes peeled for two new Champagnes joining the menu in First during January, February and March. The two wines from sister Champagne houses are Rare Millésime 2015 and Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires 2014 – a ‘blanc de blancs’ Champagne made only from Chardonnay grapes. Prefer rosé bubbles? Opt for a glass of the gorgeously pale and delicate Piper-Heidsieck Rosé.
Transforming surplus
British Airways has partnered with Surplus to Supper, a British charity that’s helping to bridge the gap between food waste and food poverty. The organisation, based out of its Surplus Hub in Sunbury-on-Thames, collects surplus food – that would otherwise end up in landfill – from businesses and redistributes it to food banks. Its kitchen also creates nutritious meals for those who need them most in the local community.
More than £40,000 has already been raised for Surplus to Supper, a BA Better World Community Fund partner, thanks to the generosity of BA customers and colleagues. As well as donations, British Airways redistributes end-of-range products and non-perishable items on a weekly basis. Surplus to Supper is now expanding, starting with a new hub opening in Kingston soon. Its mission is to have a hub in every London borough.
