With Diwali and Thanksgiving on the horizon, British Airways is tailoring its onboard meal services to celebrate the occasions.
To celebrate the festival of lights on the 12th of November, the airline is introducing festive desserts for customers across all cabins on outbound and inbound long-haul flights to India.
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The airline’s customers travelling in Club World (business class) from London Heathrow to India (including Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Delhi) will be able to enjoy Rasmalai, a popular sweet delicacy, originating from eastern India.
Those travelling in World Traveller Plus (premium economy) can tuck into Kesar Peda, a traditional North Indian sweet made from khoya, sugar, saffron and cardamom. For everyone in World Traveller (economy) cabin to India will be served a popular Indian dessert, Motichoor Laddoo, which is traditionally served on special occasions.
On return flights from India, travellers will also be able to enjoy a range of Diwali-themed desserts across various routes including Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi and Hyderabad. Kaju Pista or Gulab Jamun, a fusion-filled dessert accompanied with Rabdi, will be served in Club World. Customers travelling in World Traveller Plus will have the option of Khoye Ka Laddoo or Doodhi Halwa, garnished with traditional dried fruits.
A big Thanksgiving feast
On 23rd November, British Airways will be celebrating Thanksgiving on all long-haul flights to and from the US.
Customers across all cabins will have the choice of a festive main course and dessert. Customers travelling in First and Club World will be able to enjoy a traditional turkey roast with all the trimmings, followed by either a classic pumpkin pie featuring nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger spices, a pumpkin and walnut cake, or a pumpkin-flavoured cheesecake.
BA First Thanksgiving meal
Club World Thanksgiving meal
Pumpkin Pie in First
Pumpkin flavoured cheesecake
Customers in World Traveller Plus and World Traveller will also be able to delve into a traditional turkey roast followed by the option of a pumpkin pie, gingerbread mousse or a spiced pumpkin and white chocolate mousse, offering the perfect balance of sweetness and spices.
The airline has also introduced new World Traveller main courses and is refreshing its second service later this month, including new hot light bite breakfast options on all shorter inbound flights from the US to London Heathrow and London Gatwick.
The festive dishes will vary by route and will be offered to customers alongside the standard main course/dessert, depending on the cabin.
In the lounges
The airline will also add special treats across all its lounges at London Heathrow to celebrate Diwali and Thanksgiving. This includes traditional decorations with garlands and tealights, as well as specially designed main courses and snacks for customers to enjoy from November 12-15, ranging from rogan josh, chicken balti and samosas.
For Thanksgiving, customers will be able to enjoy a variety of dishes, including pumpkin and butternut squash soup and pecan pie in its Concorde Room, and turkey and smoked ham pie in its First and Club lounges, all available on November 23.
In Quotes
British Airways’ Chief Customer Officer, Calum Laming, said:
“We know that many of our customers will be celebrating Diwali and Thanksgiving this month, so we wanted to go that extra mile to spread some joy over the festive season, both on the ground and at 35,000ft. For those celebrating, we’d like to wish them a very Happy Diwali and Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at British Airways.”
Familiarity – even at 35,000ft
I covered this in the Emirates Diwali launch – and what I wrote applies here. Travel during holidays can be less than ideal, with airports full, people rushing from A to B and the general stress of travel.
Having familiar things – and familiar tastes is important, as it can act as an anchor point and a comforting experience.
And whilst people might remember the seat – food is an important part of the travel experience we all remember. And I’ll be diving into this much more over the next few weeks on this blog.
All images, British Airways.
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