British Airways economy class food now comes from Michelin-starred Tom Kerridge

At best they can come from distraction from a long flight of flight – and at worst they can be a lumpy lump of stomach.

So food lovers will be thrilled to find out that British Airways has teamed up with celebrity chef Tom Kerridge to add a little zest to the food of the aviation economy, which will be available on a ‘buy’ basis. before you fly ‘from the new’ Speedbird Café ‘service.

The gourmet menu includes posh Warm Steak & Ale Pie; Ham Hock Sandwich & Smoked Cheddar; Bagioette Brioche Chicken, Bacon & Celery; Soft Brie & Apple Chutney Plowman sandwich, and vegetarian Spiced Cauliflower & Chickpea Tortilla Cover, all cost between £ 4.10 and £ 4.50.

Other items on the Speedbird Café menu include BrewDog Jet Stream (£ 4.50), Pannier Champagne (£ 17 for 375ml), Bloody Mary (£ 6.50), Sparkling Spring Water Dash (£ 2), Tapas Box by Jose Pizarro (£ 5.95), Cambrook Nuts (£ 1.50) and ‘luxury’ Savoursmiths belts (£ 1.35).

‘We want to make sure passengers get exactly what they want – so from now on if you order it, you get it,’ said a BA spokesman.

Orders must be placed up to 12 hours before departure on the High Life Store website, with Duty Free also available through this portal. There can be no change of mind once you are on the air – extra miniatures of gin or lager cans cannot be bought.

It is then a matter of waiting for a member of the team to appear at your chair with anything you have ordered.

Kerridge, 47, who owns the Hand & Flowers pub in Marlow, the first pub in the UK to receive two Michelin stars, is particularly pleased with his pies.

‘Britain is known all over the world for the quality of its meat so these pies will look like ambassadors for British food, with proper glass pastry and oozing with flavor,’ he said. ‘And there’s a lot of crust and punch in the sandwiches. They will also be substantial. ‘

Is Kerridge worried that the BA partnership will tarnish its reputation, that it will be associated with cattle class sarnies rather than Michelin – starred delicacies?

Kerridge said during a food preview on food: ‘At The Hand & Flowers, yes, we have two Michelin stars, but we have fish and chips, and steak and chips, on the menu and we do Sunday lunch with roast beef and Yorkshire desserts. . So we were never all about those delicious flavors and gourmand style food. We serve real ale and beer, as if you had flown.

‘We also have a butcher shop, we make pies at football pitches. But we always make sure they are the best. I’m not worried at all. I am very proud and I hope people think the best sandwich in the country is on a British Airway flight. ‘

BA has also confirmed that it is scrapping its policy of charging passengers for water and snacks such as crisps or corn bars, something introduced by former BA chief Alex Cruz in 2017 and was met with a number of complaints.

‘We have listened to our passengers and noticed how the pandemic has been grateful to receive some complimentary products so these will continue,’ the spokesperson said.

The Buy Before You Fly campaign will start later this month, even if no one is flying anywhere. But this bedtime should be a direct benefit in case a passenger plane is not going to order several of the Kerridge pies – and that unfortunate person sitting in the back row has to ‘miss out again.