Tom Kerridge Upgrades Culinary Options on British Airways’ Short Haul Flights

British Michelin-starred chef, Tom Kerridge has designed a number of gourmet food items - which include signature pies and sandwiches - to pre-purchase for British Airways’ Euro Traveller (short haul economy) customers.

The decision to upgrade the culinary options on its short haul flights coincides with completion of WiFi across BA’s short haul Airbus fleet, and the ability to pre-order duty free items directly to customers’ seats through its inflight retail site.

The airline will continue to offer complimentary refreshments in Euro Traveller on all fights comprising a bottle of water and a snack, such as a breakfast bar or crisps. Those wishing to purchase more substantial food options, designed by Tom Kerridge, as well as other food and drink items can do so through the airline’s the new online Speedbird Café hosted on British Airways’ inflight retail site highlifeshop.com.

Speedbird Café will launch as a pre-order proposition, which will allow customers to customise their journey by purchasing food, drink and inflight retail items up to 12 hours before departure.

The dishes designed by Tom Kerridge have been created with a special focus on British provenance. They include: Warm Steak & Ale Pie, Ham Hock & Smoked Cheddar Sandwich, Spiced Cauliflower Tortilla Wrap (Vegan), Chicken, Bacon and Celery Brioche, and Brie Ploughman’s Sandwich (Vegetarian).

Tom Kerridge, Michelin starred chef, said: “I am truly happy to be working with British Airways again, and to have the opportunity to champion the best of British to so many people. A sandwich, made with care and great flavours, can be a perfect meal and I hope the passengers enjoy my short haul menu.”

The airline will also be introducing another BrewDog IPA, exclusively available for British Airways’ customers. The Scottish craft brewery has developed another blend for the airline called JetSteam, following on from the limited edition Speedbird 100.

“Over the last few months we know that our customers have valued the complimentary refreshments offered, so they’re here to stay. But in addition, we also wanted to offer more choice and the ability to buy something more substantial. After a successful partnership with M&S, we have teamed up with another British favourite, chef Tom Kerridge,” said Carolina Martinoli, British Airways’ Director of Brand and Customer Experience. “We know how popular the menus that Tom designed for our centenary were with our customers, so we are delighted to be working with him again and can’t wait for our customers to experience his fantastic new food at 35,000ft.”

Elsewhere, the airline will also be moving to the next phase of its on-board catering experience in Club Europe and on all long haul flights from 20 January 2021, following the temporary introduction of minimum-contact meal boxes to keep customers safe during the COVID19 pandemic. The airline’s culinary teams have been working with world class caterers, Do&Co, to develop new menus in its Club Europe and all other long haul cabins, as well as adapting the meal service to reintroduce china and glassware.

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