British Airways is marking the Year of the Dragon, which begins on 10th February with the lunar new year, with a few special touches. During the Chinese zodiac festival, all customers flying between London and Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Singapore can enjoy traditional festive inflight dining with dishes that signify luck and prosperity.
The festive menu will be available on flights between Singapore, Hong Kong and London from 10th to 13th February; flights between Beijing and London from 13th to 18th February; and between Shanghai and London during 13th and 16th February 2024.
Customers in First class can choose black pepper spiced fillet of beef with Chinese seven-spiced broccolini, while those travelling in Club World (business class) can order spicy Kung Pao prawn, a dish previously served in the Chinese Imperial Palace. Customers in First and Club World will also be offered a white chocolate tangerine mousse, tangerine being a fruit that symbolises gold in Chinese culture.
Customers flying in World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and World Traveller (economy) can enjoy Lion’s Head meatballs, a traditional Huaiyang dish made of steamed pork in oyster sauce. The dish is named for its round shape, which is said to resemble the head of a lion and signifies unity amongst the family in Chinese culture.
During the week of the festival, customers travelling through London Heathrow Terminal 5 will encounter lion dancers performing on the concourse, and will be gifted with red envelopes containing chocolate coins. As a further perk the airlines’ customer service teams will be surprising a few London-bound customers who were born in the Year of Dragon, with upgrades to Club World and lounge access.