With the Lunar New Year coming around next week, British Airways is preparing something special for its customers, with both onboard catering, and surprises on the ground.
During the festival, all customers flying between London and Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Singapore can enjoy traditional festive dishes that signify luck and prosperity.
The menu will fly on flights between Singapore, Hong Kong and London from 10th – 13th February 2024. Flights between Beijing and London on the 13th and 18th of February; and Shanghai and London between the 13th and 16th of February 2024.
Customers in First can enjoy a black pepper spiced fillet of beef with Chinese seven spiced broccolini,
Those travelling in Club World (business class) can order spicy Kung Pao prawn, a dish previously served in the Chinese Imperial Palace.
Both First and Club World customers can enjoy a white chocolate tangerine mousse, a fruit that symbolises gold in Chinese culture.
Customers flying in World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and World Traveller (economy) can enjoy the traditional Huaiyang dish, Lion’s Head meatballs, which are made of steamed pork in oyster sauce. The dish is named for its round shape resembling the head of a lion and signifies unity amongst the family.
Good fortune for those flying to London…..
For London-bound travellers, the airlines’ customer service teams and the Fortune God will spread holiday cheer by surprising customers with upgrades to Club World (business class) and lounge access. The team will select a handful of customers who were born in the Year of Dragon for this, for selected customers departing on flights from Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore.
On the ground at Heathrow
During the week of the festival, customers travelling through London Heathrow Terminal 5 will be gifted red envelopes with chocolate coins, with lion dancers performing on the concourse.
In Quotes
Calum Laming, British Airways’ Chief Customer Officer said:
“Many of our customers will be celebrating the Lunar New Year this month and reuniting with family and friends, so we wanted to make their journey extra special this festive season. For those celebrating we’d like to wish them a very Happy Year of the Dragon from everyone at British Airways.”
Welcome tastes and welcome passenger experience upgrades
Travelling during the Lunar New Year is no small task, requiring planning and patience when going through the various transport systems to get home to families.
Having some passenger experience uplifts that cater to the market will be something welcoming to passengers in any class – with familiar food is always a good decision.
Adding the mixture of luck and passenger experience upgrades on the ground at bases away from the UK will no doubt bring a bit of fun to proceedings, as well as Dragon Dances with Chocolate Money coins.
A shame they didn’t put random vouchers to claim some Avios in these pockets too. Sadly, I don’t think even the God of Fortune can sway IAG accountants…
All Images, British Airways.
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