This new year, we’re celebrating new wines to enjoy on board, a charity partnership helping to feed those in need, and not one, not two, but three Italian additions to the route network. Best of all, our sale is still on...

New wines on board
Since 6 January, those flying in First have been able to try one of Château d’Esclans’ greatest wines from the comfort of their seat. The much-loved Provence winery behind popular favourite Whispering Angel is the architect of the ‘Rosé Renaissance’, and its namesake wine Château d’Esclans is the first of the winery's estate wines, with all grapes grown at the Château itself. Aged in oak barrels and made with a technique similar to that of a Burgundy, this rich, complex wine has notes of vanilla and baking spices and pairs brilliantly with food.

Fans of fizz, meanwhile, should keep their eyes peeled for two new Champagnes joining the menu in First during January, February and March. The two wines from sister Champagne houses are Rare Millésime 2015 and Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires 2014 – a ‘blanc de blancs’ Champagne made only from Chardonnay grapes. Prefer rosé bubbles? Easy – just opt for a glass of the gorgeously pale and delicate Piper-Heidsieck Rosé.

La Dolce Vita: three new Italian routes taking off 

Your summer break is sorted, as we add three stunning Italian destinations to our network from May 2025.

From 22 May, take off to the mountainous Campania region on Italy’s Amalfi Coast via new destination, Salerno, from London Gatwick. Hidden away from more touristic hotspots, Salerno sits between stunning mountains and a lovely coastline, taking in elevated castles, ancient ruins and a favourite local promenade spot, Lungomare Trieste. With its airport only recently opened to commercial flights, it’s still relatively undiscovered compared to its higher profile Amalfi neighbours. 

For something beachier, why not try new London Heathrow route, Rimini, starting 15 May? With more than 15km of white sands stretched along its seafront, there is an abundance of space to enjoy the sparkling blue waters of the Adriatic Sea. After a day on the beach, hit the town and soak up the nightlife culture with plenty of fun-filled bars and clubs dotted along the coastline. 

Finally, enjoy the island retreat you have always dreamed of as you land in Olbia in Sardinia, the second-largest island in the Mediterranean. Olbia, which sits on Sardinia’s sunny northeastern coast, is all about boutiques, wine bars, local culture and café-packed piazzas, making it an easy-living getaway. We’ll be flying there from London City airport from 25 May.

What’s on in the lounge: Burns Night 

Taking place on Saturday 25 January, Burns Night marks the 266th anniversary of the birth of celebrated Scottish poet Robert Burns. To celebrate the lauded literary event, for one day only, a host of fabulous Scottish producers will be bringing their tasty Celtic treats to our lounges at T5. First up, Edinburgh-based, family-run Shortbread House, with an inimitable shortbread biscuit recipe that’s been passed down through the generations and is still handmade by a small, dedicated team of bakers using only the finest ingredients. 

Joining Shortbread House’s Original Shortbread in the T5 lounges will be pine-scented soy candles from Scottish-based Gold Moss, hand-poured in the Highlands and designed to connect you with the great outdoors, as well as signature ‘LOVE SCOTLAND’ tote bags from Glasgow-born designer Gillian Kyle.

Finally, exclusively for Concorde lounge guests, are award-winning Velvet Truffles handcrafted by Master Chocolatier Iain Burnett, otherwise known as Highland Chocolatier. And with Highland Chocolatier scooping top prize at the International Chocolate Awards, you’ll even get to taste the world’s certified best dark truffle chocolate. Lucky you. 

Transforming surplus

We’ve partnered with Surplus to Supper, a British charity that’s helping to bridge the gap between food waste and food poverty. The organisation, based out of its Surplus Hub in Sunbury-on-Thames, collects surplus food – that would otherwise end up in landfill – from businesses and redistributes it to food banks. Its kitchen also creates nutritious meals for those who need them most in the local community.

More than £40,000 has already been raised for Surplus to Supper, a BA Better World Community Fund partner, thanks to the generosity of our customers and colleagues. As well as donations, we’re helping to redistribute end-of-range products and non-perishable items on a weekly basis. Surplus to Supper is now expanding, starting with a new hub opening in Kingston soon. Its mission? To have a hub in every London borough.

The Original Sale is on
But not for long. With just a few left days left to bag a deal, it’s time to head to our January Sale to explore the last of our discounted flight and holiday packages in sought-after destinations around the world.

These include knockout trips to the USA, Europe, the Caribbean and other bucket-list hotspots: India, South Africa, the Indian Ocean and the UAE. 

Have an opinion on The Club that you’d like to share? Let us know

This article has been tagged BA, Travel Tips