The best of British Airways news
From making children’s dreams come true to a specially curated Indian menu, here’s the latest you need to know
01/11/2024
Biscuiteers’ festive gingerbread
Crunch time!
Biscuiteers, the biscuit company renowned for its innovative hand-iced creations, always embraces the festive season. Its Yuletide gifts span everything from classic Nutcracker and Nativity biscuit collections to family favourites, such as its DIY Hansel and Gretel gingerbread house kit – not to mention macarons, Christmas cakes and award-winning mince pies. Even better – many of the biscuits can be personalised.
What’s more, Biscuiteers is bringing its sweet treats to British Airways’ very own T5 lounges this Christmas, with one of their icers personalising Christmas biscuits in a live session next month. Now all you need is a cup of tea…
Get 20% off your Biscuiteers online shopping basket using code BAXMAS20. One use per customer, maximum basket value £300, excludes e-gift cards. Valid until 31 December 2024
Served in First: paneer and corn tikki starter. Opening image: bhapa doi steamed yoghurt pudding with fruit salad.
Happy one hundredth!
British Airways is marking 100 years of flying to India. And while the official anniversary is on 10 November, celebrations (including High Life’s own 25 wonders) will continue to take place across the entire month.
Customers can savour the rich flavours of India in the air, with bespoke centenary menus being served on board, and also on the ground, thanks to gourmet Indian snack specialist Howdah. Its authentic range – crafted with ayurvedic ingredients and inspired by the most exciting Indian street food – is spicing up the lounges as part of the centenary celebrations. Founded by Indian entrepreneur Falu Shah, Howdah gives a free school lunch to a child in need in India with every purchase.
In addition, the in-flight entertainment will be showing more than 100 Indian titles on board, from classics such as The Burning Train to the more contemporary Kantara and In the Belly of a Tiger. Keep your eyes peeled for the ‘100 years’ logo on digital screens and the on-board menus to join in the festivities.
Jacob Lofland in Landman
What to watch on board this November
Taylor Sheridan’s long-anticipated Landman finally lands on 18 November, premiering on Paramount+. The screenwriter-director-actor is a master in creating television that has us glued to our screens, and this blockbuster drama promises to do the same. It’s set in West Texas, amongst the cutthroat, profiteering world of the oil business, where “roughnecks and wildcat billionaires are fuelling a boom so big it’s reshaping our climate, our economy and our geopolitics”. The cast is stellar, with Billy Bob Thornton appearing as oil company crisis manager Tommy Norris, alongside Ali Larter, Demi Moore, Jon Hamm, Andy García and Jacob Lofland, to name a few.
Landman is coming soon to British Airways’ dedicated Paramount+ in-flight channel.
British Airways supports Alzheimer’s Society
Stay ahead of the game
British Airways’ partner, Alzheimer’s Society, continues to provide help and hope for those affected by dementia. With around one million people living with dementia in the UK, and a further 700,000 people caring for them, the impact of this condition has left many scared and uncertain about the future. It can also affect the joy of, and aspirations to, travel. That’s why this partnership with Alzheimer’s Society aims to make British Airways a more dementia inclusive airline.
To date, BA has raised more than £270,000 for Alzheimer’s Society through the BA Better World Community Fund, working towards a brighter, kinder world for people affected by dementia. Earlier this month, a collection in aid of the charity took place at the England vs New Zealand rugby game, the first of the Autumn Nations Series, where award-winning tenor Alfie Boe performed the national anthem.
If you’re a British Airways Executive Club Member, you can choose to support Alzheimer’s Society by donating your Avios through the BA Better World Community Fund. Avios donations made until 6 January 2025 will be matched by the Executive Club. Terms apply.
The delectable Whispering Angel
Whispering Angel flutters into Club World and First
British Airways’ partnership with Provençal wine producer Château d’Esclans is a match made in heaven. Its ever-popular, delicate-pink rosé is available on board for a limited time in Club World, allowing premium customers to enjoy the aromatic elegance of Whispering Angel at 35,000 feet. And its big sister, Rock Angel, which has a more complex taste profile, is now available in First. From early 2025, this will be replaced by the estate’s eponymous premium wine, Château d’Esclans.
Want your tipple here on the ground? You still can, as British Airways’ divine Whispering Angel bar remains open in its Terminal 5B lounge, with customers also enjoying The Pale by Sacha Lichine rosé in Galleries and Whispering Angel across the First and Concorde lounges in both Heathrow and Gatwick.
Shirley Ballas with the gang from Star Wars
Dreams do come true
Every year, British Airways helps make dreams come true by supporting the UK-based charity Dreamflight, which takes children with a serious illness or disability, aged between eight and 14, on the holiday of a lifetime.
This year is no different, as the airline once again donated a free, bespoke flight to Orlando, Florida for 192 young people to take to the skies on 27 October in pursuit of a truly memorable trip. The children were seen off by Star Wars favourites and Shirley Ballas from Strictly Come Dancing, while British Airways’ catering partner DO&CO provided bespoke menus for the flight, with dishes previously chosen by some of the children at a tasting session. Many of the children had never been abroad before, due to the complexities involved with their illnesses. To ensure they were well looked after, they were accompanied 24 hours a day by volunteer doctors, nurses and physiotherapists, supported by BA cabin crew and pilots.
Wear your poppy with pride
British Airways is once again supporting the Royal British Legion with its annual Poppy Appeal in the run-up to Armistice Day. Look out for airline colleagues and members of our armed forces at Heathrow, Inverness, Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh airports. They’ll aim to collect and raise as much money as possible – and provide a few surprises and entertainment along the way.
Partnering with The Earthshot Prize
In recognition of the vital role innovation plays in solving the most pressing issues facing our climate, British Airways has partnered with The Earthshot Prize as a Global Alliance Member. Founded by Prince William in 2020, The Earthshot Prize is one of the world’s most prestigious environmental awards, designed to discover, spotlight and scale the groundbreaking solutions we need to repair and regenerate the planet. By working with The Earthshot Prize, the airline will be supporting the discovery, investment and acceleration of innovative and scalable solutions for people and for the planet, ranging from alternative fuels to reducing single-use plastics.
A past Earthshot Prize finalist includes carbon recycling company LanzaTech, which works closely with British Airways’ sustainable aviation fuel partner LanzaJet to bring emerging sustainable technologies to market. BA is also working with the 2023 prizewinner, Notpla, a company specialising in biodegradable packaging. This is just the beginning as the airline explores further collaborations with future prizewinners and finalists. Earthshot Week 2024 takes place in Cape Town this November, bringing together world-leading innovators, investors and philanthropists.