British Airways Introduces Festive Diwali and Thanksgiving Dishes, Other Service Enhancements

British Airways is ready to celebrate holidays around the world this season by introducing special dishes both on board its planes and in its lounges to commemorate Diwali and Thanksgiving in the coming weeks.

“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 35,000 feet. For those celebrating, we’d like to wish them a very Happy Diwali and Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at British Airways,” said Calum Laming, Chief Customer Officer at British Airways.

Let’s take a look at what BA flyers can expect on select flights later this month.

Special Meals for Diwali

Diwali, celebrated this year on November 12, is known as the “Festival of Lights” and is a very important holiday in India, the world’s most populous country.

To celebrate, British Airways will serve special desserts in all classes of service on select flights between London and India on November 12. Passengers flying from London Heathrow (LHR) to Bengaluru (BLR), Delhi (DEL), Hyderabad (HYD), and Mumbai (BOM) will get to enjoy the following treats:

• Club World (business class) passengers can try Rasmalai, a sweet treat from the east of India.
• Passengers in the World Traveller Plus (premium economy) will be served Kesar Peda, a dish from Northern India made with khoya, sugar, saffron, and cardamom.
• World Traveller (economy) passengers will have Motichoor Laddoo, a dessert that’s served on a whole range of special occasions.

Passengers flying from Chennai (MAA), Delhi, Hyderabad, and Mumbai to London on November 12 can expect the following goodies:

• Club World passengers can look forward to a choice of Kaju Pista or Gulab Jamun, “a fusion-filled dessert accompanied with Rabdi.”
• World Traveller Plus passengers can choose from Khoye Ka Laddoo or Doodhi Halwa, served with dried fruit.

Special Meals for Thanksgiving

On November 23, British Airways will celebrate Thanksgiving in the sky on all of its long-haul flights between the U.K. and the U.S.

Those flying in first class or Club World will get 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-flavored cheesecake.”

Meanwhile, those seated in World Traveller Plus and World Traveller can also savor a turkey roast along with their choice of the following desserts: pumpkin pie, gingerbread mousse, or a spiced pumpkin and white chocolate mousse.

Treats on the Ground

In addition to special meals and treats in the air, eligible passengers visiting a British Airways lounge at London Heathrow will also be able to partake in the holiday fun.

The spaces will be decorated for both Diwali and Thanksgiving, and from November 12 through 15, 2023, lounges will offer Diwali-themed treats like rogan josh, chicken balti, and samosas.

On November 23, Thanksgiving treats will be served, with the Concorde Room featuring pumpkin and butternut squash soup and pecan pie; and the First and Club lounges serving turkey and smoked ham pie.

More Service Enhancements

Aside from the holiday-themed dishes, British Airways is also rolling out new items in select cabins. Passengers in the World Traveller cabin will have new main courses to look forward to, and the second meal service is set to be revamped with new “hot light bite breakfast options” on select flights from the U.S. to both Gatwick and Heathrow airports.

Passengers flying first class will now be able to sample Johnnie Walker Blue Label XOrdinaire, a high-end blended Scotch whiskey.

Finally, all passengers can expect new additions to the airline’s range of inflight entertainment options as well as a dedicated “Christmas countdown channel” to help get into the holiday spirit.

Final Thoughts

Flying with British Airways during the holiday season is about to get a lot more festive thanks to the airline’s special treats and meals to celebrate both Diwali and Thanksgiving on select flights this month and in its lounges at its home base in London.

If you’re flying the carrier during either of these holidays, make sure you try some of the special offerings!