Big summer sales, even more new routes and mechanised martinis: we bring you our hottest updates this month

The End of Summer Sale is now on

Facing an avalanche of post-holiday emails? Leaving the house with your umbrella up? Sounds like you deserve another break. Luckily, our super End of Summer Sale is here to save the day. Take advantage of discounts on flights to some much-loved USA destinations, including California, New York, Chicago (above) and Boston, as well as selected premium cabin routes. Sale applies to World Traveller, World Traveller Plus and Club World. Ends 3 October 2023.

It’s wheels up on Mr Lyan’s Martini Mixer Trolley

King of London’s cocktail scene, Mr Lyan – real name Ryan Chetiyawardana (above) – is bringing his talent for tipples to the Concorde Room at Heathrow T5. When you’re visiting the lounge, you can now sit back and relax with Mr Lyan’s specially curated martini, as made by the all-new Martini Mixer and Trolley. The device, crafted by luxury aviation-themed watchmaker Bremont and bespoke design and engineering consultancy CALLUM, has built-in scales to ensure exact quantities are poured, and a Turbine Mixer engineered to whip up the most balanced martini possible. The cocktail uses Aviation Gin – from actor and British Airways brand partner, Ryan Reynolds – and is exclusive to the Concorde Room. To see the Martini Mixer Trolley for yourself, head to the Concorde Room, order the new drink and watch as lounge staff set the trolley into motion. Talk about raising the bar… If you’d like to recreate the lounge experience at home, you can purchase your very own Martini Mixer here.

Seats to spare on our Avios-only flights

We told you about our Avios-only flights in our last issue, so here’s a reminder that seats are still available for this year and next – meaning you can be whisked away on the back of your well-deserved Avios alone. The destinations still up for grabs during peak seasons include Switzerland ski-spot, Geneva – which has seats in February 2024 for those wanting a twinkling city break with added slopes. Or, if you can wait until March, why not opt for something a little warmer, such as a romantic sojourn in foodie Barcelona, or a seaside escape to Nice’s picture-perfect promenades? Both flights will land you with a memorable spring break and have seats for the taking.

Best ever pilot scheme?

Becoming a pilot is an expensive aspiration, with initial training often in the tens of thousands alone. To change the game, we’ve launched the British Airways Speedbird Pilot Academy – a new cadet scheme looking to make the airline pilot career a realistic option for all aspiring fliers, no matter their economic or social background. Through the academy, we will fund up to 60 places per year and present job offers to those who pass at the end, helping to secure future flying talent for years to come. To learn more, click here

A short-haul hamper

From the end of October, you’ll be able to fly from Heathrow on a host of exciting new short-haul routes. Take off to Riga, the largest city in Latvia; fly to buzzing Belgrade in Serbia; or peruse the historic German city of Cologne (above). And there’s more – Milan Linate will rejoin London City’s network with weekly flights. The cherry on the top? We have extended our winter flights to San Sebastian, Ljubljana and Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen. You’re spoilt for choice.

Even more entertainment (and snacks)

Did you hear the news? In-flight entertainment has doubled on flights – that’s more than 70 complete boxsets and 20 film franchises available, as well as new titles including Love Again and The Covenant. To learn more about our in-flight entertainment, hear from the man behind the magic. Back here on the ground, we have also enhanced our menus, with a new selection of hot breakfasts, afternoon teas and picnic treats available across our Galleries Lounges at London Heathrow and Gatwick.

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This article has been tagged BA, Travel Tips