Limited-Time Sri Lankan Food Comes to Business Class on New Colombo Route

British Airways is partnering with London restaurant group Hoppers to introduce Sri Lankan-inspired dishes on its new flights between London Gatwick and Colombo, which launch on October 23, 2026.

The limited-time menu will be served in the airline’s Club World business-class cabin through December 30, marking the start of the carrier’s winter-season service to Sri Lanka.

Photo: British Airways

The menu draws on Hoppers’ best-known dishes and Sri Lankan culinary traditions. Passengers can begin with yoghurt vadai, a lentil fritter served with yoghurt, tamarind sauce, coriander chutney and chickpea crisps.

Photo: British Airways

For the main course, travellers can choose between Kalupol-spiced chicken with lemon rice and beetroot curry, or Pollichathu cod marinated in tomato and chilli paste, wrapped in banana leaf and served with coconut rice and pineapple curry. Dessert is watalappam bread pudding, a Sri Lankan-inspired take on a classic British dessert, served with spiced crumble and malt cream.

Photo: British Airways

A cocktail created for the partnership, called the Ceylon Pearl, will also be available in British Airways’ Club Lounge at London Gatwick. The drink combines Tanqueray Rangpur gin, lychee and pink citrus tonic.

Mark Brega, British Airways’ executive chef, said the collaboration was designed to introduce passengers to Sri Lanka’s culinary heritage before they arrive. Hoppers founder Karan Gokani described serving the restaurant’s food on flights to Colombo as a full-circle moment, bringing flavours the restaurant has introduced to London diners back to Sri Lanka.

Hoppers opened its first restaurant in Soho in 2015 and has since expanded to Marylebone, King’s Cross and Shoreditch. The restaurant focuses on the food of Sri Lanka and South India and received a Michelin Bib Gourmand within its first year.

British Airways will operate the Gatwick-Colombo route three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The service is scheduled to run for the winter season, with return fares starting at £524, including taxes and carrier fees.

Passengers can choose from three cabins: World Traveller economy, World Traveller Plus premium economy and Club World business class. The Hoppers menu will be available only to Club World passengers on the Colombo route during the stated promotional period.