British Airways Introduces Indian Cultural Essence to Celebrate 100-Year Legacy with the UK

Thursday, October 17, 2024

As British Airways commemorates a century of bridging India and the UK, the airline is honoring this milestone by infusing Indian cultural elements into its passenger experience. Through the end of November, passengers can immerse themselves in the essence of India as the airline blends its signature British hospitality with a range of Indian-inspired offerings. This includes a selection of carefully curated menus featuring warm, traditional Indian delicacies, and an extensive array of Indian cinema available for in-flight enjoyment.

Experience the Taste of India Aboard British AirwaysPassengers can explore the rich flavors of India with a unique centennial menu crafted by the airline’s culinary team. This menu is designed to cater to diverse tastes and includes a variety of traditional Indian recipes prepared with genuine spices and ingredients. Highlights from the menu served across various cabin classes include:

• Phaldari kofta with five-spice vegetables, pomegranate seeds, and a creamy korma sauce
• Grilled spiced lamb rack accompanied by okra do pyaza, Rogan josh sauce, and a crisp papadum
• Railway lamb curry paired with five-spiced vegetables and aromatic basmati rice
• Zafrani chicken served with coconut rice, saag makai, and xacuti sauce
• An innovative Young Jackfruit biryani
• Bhapa Doi enhanced with mangoes, papaya, and passion fruit for dessert

Soothing Spiced ChaiIn addition to the culinary delights, British Airways introduces a special chai blend in collaboration with its tea partner, Twinings. This tea features a mix of cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger, mirroring the traditional flavors of India’s beloved masala chai. Each sip delivers warmth and a comforting spice blend, perfect for relaxing during the flight.

Celebratory Toast with Exclusive BeverageThe celebration extends to the beverage selection, with British Airways offering an exclusive single malt whiskey from Rajasthan, Godawan, available in the Club World (business class) cabin. This selection allows passengers to celebrate the airline’s long-standing excellence and service with a distinguished toast.

Expanding Indian Cinema on BoardTo enhance the inflight entertainment experience, British Airways now offers an enriched library of over 100 Indian films. This collection spans beloved classics such as “The Burning Train” and “Dil Chahta Hai,” along with newer releases like “Kantara” and “Jawan,” ensuring a wide range of options for movie enthusiasts.

Calum Laming, British Airways’ Chief Customer Officer says, “We’re proud to have a long history of connecting India and the UK. Our predecessor, Imperial Airlines, first flew to New Delhi in 1924 and since then, we’ve grown our operations from London to five major Indian cities. This centenary is a massive milestone for us and one that deserves a big celebration, so we’re thrilled to bring the vibrancy of these destinations to the skies. We very much look forward to welcoming customers on board to join in with the festivities and help us celebrate a century of flying the UK flag to one of our most important markets.”

Editorial Note:

British Airways currently offers 56 weekly flights connecting India to London Heathrow, distributed as follows:

• Mumbai: Three flights per day
• Delhi: Two flights per day
• Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad: One flight per day each

Starting April 20, 2025, British Airways will introduce an additional daily flight on the Delhi to London Heathrow route, bringing the total to three daily flights. This expansion will elevate the total number of weekly flights from India to London to 63, across five major cities.