British Airways Teams Up with Hoppers as London to Colombo Flights Begin on 23 October

British Airways launches menu collaboration with Hoppers restaurants to celebrate new route to Colombo, Sri Lanka, introducing an exclusive dining experience for business class passengers. Beginning 23 October 2026, the airline will operate three weekly flights from London Gatwick, bringing Sri Lankan cuisine and seasonal travel opportunities together.

British Airways is bringing a distinctive Sri Lankan dining experience to international aviation through a new partnership with London restaurant group Hoppers, coinciding with the introduction of seasonal flights between London Gatwick and Colombo on 23 October 2026.

The collaboration introduces specially developed dishes inspired by Sri Lanka’s culinary traditions for Club World business class passengers travelling from London Gatwick to Colombo. The limited-time menu will be available until 30 December 2026, making it part of the airline’s winter travel offering.

Announced by British Airways on 14 October, the initiative connects the airline’s international route expansion with destination-focused hospitality. It also introduces passengers to Sri Lankan food culture before they arrive on the Indian Ocean island.

British Airways Expands Sri Lanka Connectivity with New Colombo Flights

British Airways will begin operating three weekly flights between London Gatwick Airport and Bandaranaike International Airport, which serves Colombo, on 23 October.

The seasonal service forms part of the airline’s wider winter 2026 network expansion, strengthening connections between the United Kingdom and destinations across Asia and the Indian Ocean.

Colombo is one of Sri Lanka’s principal gateways for international visitors. The city provides access to the country’s coastal resorts, cultural landmarks, wildlife destinations and inland tourism regions.

For British holidaymakers, the new Gatwick service introduces another direct travel option during the European winter, when tropical destinations traditionally attract demand from travellers seeking warmer weather.

The airline will offer three passenger cabins: World Traveller, World Traveller Plus and Club World.

British Airways’ latest announcement advertises return fares starting from £524, including taxes and carrier fees. Actual ticket prices remain subject to travel dates, availability and booking conditions.

The service is scheduled to operate throughout the winter season rather than as a year-round connection.

Hoppers Partnership Introduces Sri Lankan Cuisine at 35,000 Feet

The central feature of the collaboration is a specially curated Club World menu developed by British Airways Executive Chef Mark Brega and the culinary team at Hoppers.

The menu draws inspiration from traditional Sri Lankan ingredients, cooking techniques and familiar dishes, while adapting their presentation to the requirements of long-haul airline catering.

For starters, passengers can enjoy yoghurt vadai, a lentil fritter accompanied by yoghurt, tamarind sauce, coriander chutney and crispy toppings.

The preparation takes inspiration from street food traditions associated with Galle Face Green, a popular waterfront destination in Colombo.

For the main course, travellers can choose between two dishes representing different elements of regional cooking.

Kalupol-spiced chicken is served with lemon rice and beetroot curry. The preparation uses Sri Lankan flavours associated with coconut-based spice blends.

Alternatively, passengers can select Pollichathu cod, marinated in a tomato and chilli mixture, wrapped in banana leaf and served with coconut rice and pineapple curry.

Dessert completes the meal with watalappam bread pudding, accompanied by spiced crumble and malt cream.

The dish offers a contemporary interpretation of Sri Lanka’s traditional watalappam dessert, combining familiar local flavours with a British-style bread pudding.

The carefully selected dishes place destination cuisine at the centre of the inflight experience rather than treating food simply as an onboard service.

London Gatwick Lounge Adds a Sri Lankan-Inspired Cocktail

The partnership extends beyond the aircraft cabin to the British Airways Club Lounge at London Gatwick.

Eligible lounge customers will have access to a specially developed cocktail called the Ceylon Pearl.

The drink combines Tanqueray Rangpur gin, lychee and pink citrus tonic, providing a Sri Lankan-inspired refreshment before departure.

By extending the collaboration to airport hospitality, British Airways is creating a connected experience that begins before boarding.

The airline’s approach also reflects a broader opportunity within premium aviation: using food, drinks and local partnerships to establish a stronger relationship between passengers and their destination.

However, the Hoppers inflight menu is specifically limited to Club World passengers travelling from Gatwick to Colombo. It has not been announced as a network-wide catering change.

Hoppers Brings a Decade of Sri Lankan Restaurant Experience

Founded by Karan Gokani, Hoppers opened its first London restaurant in Soho in 2015.

The restaurant group became known for introducing diners to dishes inspired by Sri Lankan home cooking, South Indian food traditions, roadside stalls and traditional eateries.

Its original Soho restaurant received Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition within its first year, establishing the brand’s reputation among London’s diverse dining establishments.

Hoppers subsequently expanded to Marylebone, King’s Cross and Shoreditch, building a presence across the capital.

Its partnership with British Airways brings that restaurant experience into an international travel setting.

For Hoppers, the collaboration represents an opportunity to introduce its interpretation of Sri Lankan cooking to passengers travelling directly to the country that helped inspire the restaurant brand.

British Airways Executive Chef Mark Brega described the partnership as a way to celebrate Sri Lanka’s culinary heritage and introduce travellers to the destination’s hospitality.

Hoppers founder Karan Gokani also welcomed the opportunity, describing the journey from London restaurants to flights bound for Colombo as a significant moment for the business.

New Flight Timings Connect London Gatwick and Colombo

According to the latest British Airways announcement, the planned service will operate three times weekly.

The service provides a direct link between London Gatwick and Colombo, supporting holiday travel, visits to friends and relatives, and other journeys between the two markets.

The overnight outbound schedule also allows travellers to arrive in Sri Lanka the following morning.

Travellers should check their flight date and final itinerary directly with British Airways, particularly as published schedules may change.

Sri Lanka Tourism Gains Another Direct Link with the United Kingdom

The launch creates additional opportunities for Sri Lanka’s tourism industry to reach British travellers during the winter holiday season.

Sri Lanka offers a diverse travel experience combining beaches, wildlife reserves, heritage sites, historic cities and scenic railway journeys.

Travellers arriving in Colombo can explore the capital before continuing to cultural destinations such as Kandy, historic Galle or the central highlands.

The island’s tourism appeal also extends to national parks, plantation landscapes, coastal activities and regional food traditions.

The availability of a direct seasonal service may make the destination more convenient for travellers who prefer fewer flight connections.

However, the commercial impact will depend on factors including passenger demand, airline capacity, travel costs and the performance of Sri Lanka’s wider tourism sector.

The Hoppers partnership provides an additional promotional opportunity by connecting the airline’s new route with one of the destination’s most recognisable cultural attractions: its cuisine.

Culinary Tourism Becomes Part of Airline Route Marketing

Food is increasingly used by travel businesses to communicate the character of a destination and distinguish premium experiences.

The British Airways and Hoppers partnership illustrates how airline catering can support destination storytelling while strengthening collaboration with specialist hospitality brands.

Rather than introducing an entirely new dining concept unrelated to the route, the airline has selected a restaurant group whose cuisine closely reflects the destination being served.

This creates a clear connection between the onboard experience and the places travellers may visit after arrival.

For passengers unfamiliar with Sri Lankan cuisine, the menu introduces dishes that may encourage further exploration of local restaurants and food culture.

For returning visitors, familiar ingredients and traditional preparations may provide a meaningful reminder of the destination.

The partnership also demonstrates how seasonal airline launches can generate interest beyond conventional announcements concerning fares, flight schedules and aircraft capacity.

By combining connectivity with cuisine, British Airways is positioning its new Colombo route as both a transport service and a destination-led travel experience.