British Airways changes its champagne offer and launches a New Year's menu based on the lunar calendar

British Airways has announced changes to its onboard food and beverage offerings, one marking the end of an era and the other a new beginning. While the British carrier is set to change its first-class champagne after more than a decade, it is also introducing a new menu on certain flights to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

Those who have travelled with British Airways First know that Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle champagne has been on board for quite some time. The LPGS, which retails for around £200 ($255) per bottle, has been on First since 2011. However, Laurent-Perrier has now decided to focus on non-tourist markets. This was reported by simpleflying.com.

In March 2024, BA will start serving a rotating selection, starting with Lanson Noble Brut 2005, except for the route from London Heathrow (LHR) to New York JFK. This corridor will feature Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 2015. Meanwhile, passengers who can get to the Concorde lounge will receive Pommery Cuvee Louise 2006.

Lunar New Year's menu

Speaking of food, BA has also announced that it will launch a special menu to celebrate the Lunar New Year. This will take place on February 10, and during the week of the festival, the carrier will serve traditional dishes to passengers on flights from London to Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore.

The dates vary depending on the route. Passengers travelling to Hong Kong and Singapore will receive the menu from February 10 to 13, followed by Shanghai (13-16) and Beijing (13-18). As an added treat, passengers travelling to London during the festival have a chance to be upgraded to Club World if they were born in the Year of the Dragon (every 12 years since 1928).

The dishes served by British Airways as part of this initiative are said to symbolize good luck and prosperity. Passengers in the luxurious long-haul first class cabin of one of the airline's founders at Heathrow will be served "black pepper flavoured beef fillet with seven-spice Chinese broccoli".

Other classes of travel

The lunar New Year's menu is not just for first class passengers. Those travelling in Club World (business class) can choose a spicy Kung Pao shrimp dish and white chocolate tangerine mousse, which is also served on First. Meanwhile, in World Traveller Plus and World Traveller, guests will receive Lion's Head meatballs (steamed pork in oyster sauce).