British Airways pulls out all the stops during the festive season, turning its lounges into a celebration of Christmas cheer. For many of us, this effort is one of the reasons we love flying with them at this time of year. But if you’re not a fan of Christmas, it might feel like stepping into Santa’s grotto – and maybe it’s better to steer clear! We visited to see it for ourselves.
At Heathrow and Gatwick, British Airways lounges at Christmas are dressed to impress. Sparkling Christmas trees, garlands, spiced scents and seasonal music create an undeniably festive vibe.
The winter picnic menu offers classic seasonal treats, including mince pies and brie and cranberry sandwiches, alongside a specially crafted holiday cocktail. For those needing a last-minute gift, pop-up stalls featuring British favourites like Harry Specters chocolates and Biscuiteers biscuits are a thoughtful touch.
For those who adore the festive season, the extra indulgences make the experience even better. In the Concorde Room, whisky lovers can enjoy tastings of Talisker’s exclusive 45-year-old Scotch whisky, while the First lounge offers gift-wrapping services using bespoke seasonal paper. Families are also taken care of, with festive treats and a chance for kids to send letters to Santa via a dedicated postbox.
The celebrations don’t stop at the lounge. Onboard, British Airways continues the holiday spirit with festive meals like turkey dinners with all the trimmings or vegetarian alternatives, accompanied by mulled wine or Twinings Christmas tea. Even short-haul flights join in, offering Tom Kerridge’s turkey feast sandwich from the High Life Café menu.
But if Christmas isn’t your thing, all this effort might feel a bit overwhelming. The lounges are unapologetically festive, and the onboard meals and decorations make it clear that British Airways is leaning into the holiday season in a big way.
For Christmas lovers, British Airways at this time of year is pure joy – a chance to start your journey on a high note before you’ve even taken off. For the grinches among us? Maybe plan your travels with a less festive carrier, or delay for a month. One thing’s certain: British Airways knows how to make dark Decembers feel magical. This isn’t the only thing BA has staged for Christmas – read about their billboard message campaign they ran last year.
How about you? Do you love it, or would rather leave it?
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