British Airways has introduced a Sri Lankan-inspired business class menu to mark the launch of its new Gatwick-Colombo service.

British Airways has partnered with London-based restaurant group Hoppers to introduce a limited-edition in-flight menu on its new route between London Gatwick and Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The collaboration, which launched on October 23, brings dishes inspired by Sri Lankan cuisine to passengers travelling in Club World (business class). The special menu will be available until December 30, 2026.

Created in collaboration with Hoppers founder Karan Gokani and British Airways executive chef Mark Brega, the menu draws on the restaurant group's interpretation of traditional Sri Lankan and South Indian cooking.

Passengers can begin their meal with yoghurt vadai, a lentil fritter served with yoghurt, tamarind sauce, coriander chutney and channa crisps. The dish is inspired by street food sold along Galle Face Green, a popular seafront promenade in Colombo.

For the main course, travellers can choose between Kalupol-spiced chicken served 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 spicy pineapple curry.

Dessert is a Watalappam bread pudding, a variation on the traditional Sri Lankan coconut custard dessert, served with spiced crumble and malt cream.

The partnership also extends to the British Airways Club Lounge at London Gatwick, where passengers can order a specially created cocktail called the Ceylon Pearl, made with Tanqueray Rangpur gin, lychee and pink citrus tonic.

Mark Brega, executive chef at British Airways, says: “It was a pleasure to work with the talented team at Hoppers to bring the vibrant flavours of Sri Lanka to our customers at 35,000 feet. Food is such an important part of experiencing a destination, and Sri Lanka has a rich culinary heritage that we wanted to celebrate. Working together, we set out to create dishes that capture the spirit of Sri Lankan hospitality to transport customers to the streets and shores of the island, before they even touchdown.”

Founded in Soho in 2015, Hoppers helped popularise Sri Lankan cuisine in London and received a Michelin Bib Gourmand within its first year. The restaurant group, which takes inspiration from Sri Lankan home cooking, roadside food stalls and traditional toddy shops, has since expanded to Marylebone, King's Cross and Shoreditch.

Karan Gokani, founder of Hoppers, says: “It’s long been a dream to serve Hoppers food in the skies, so we were thrilled when British Airways approached us about this partnership. For the past decade, we’ve brought some of our favourite memories and flavours of Sri Lanka to our restaurants in London, and taking them back to Colombo feels like a wonderful full-circle moment.

"Working with Mark and the team, we’ve created a menu that celebrates the flavours of Sri Lanka through a uniquely British lens, all with the unmistakable Hoppers touch.”

The new British Airways route operates three times a week during the winter season, with departures from London Gatwick on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Flight BA2045 departs Gatwick at 1640 and arrives in Colombo at 0835 the following morning. The return service, BA2044, departs Colombo at 1035 and arrives in London at 1700.