In celebration of British originality, British Airways has annouced their new partnership with award-winning family-owned British tea provider, Birchall. Among the anticipated line-up is Earl Grey, Peppermint, Camomile and Great Rift English Breakfast, the UK’s most-awarded tea for taste.
British Airways and Birchall
Birchall Tea will be served by British Airways from May 1, across global lounges and all long-haul cabins. It is expected that Birchall Tea will be available on short-haul flights from June for Club Europe (short-haul business passengers) and from July for Euro Traveller (economy passengers).
Calum Laming, Chief Customer Officer at British Airways said:
“Last year, we served more than 37 million cups of tea in the air, and more than two million cups in our lounges globally, so we knew that selecting our newest tea partner was a decision we had to get right.
“We’re proud to be continually leading the way in championing British originality, and it was important to us that our tea not only ticks the taste box, but also showcases the quality and talent we have on our doorstep here in the UK.”
Daniel Graham, Managing Director of Birchall Tea also commented:
“We are immensely proud to be supplying tea for British Airways, which is the epitome of British quality and service; which is something incredibly important to us as well. We hope British Airways’ customers enjoy this elevated tea experience in the air and on the ground for years to come.”
Other British Airways Developments
British Airways launched its seven-billion-pound transformation plan last year which aims to invest in every part of the business. This includes customer experience, IT operations and modernisation, pride among colleagues, sustainability and on-time performance.
The airline’s commitment to this scheme is evident through their process of selecting Birchall Tea – taking into account the brand’s British roots, record of sustainability with the use of plant-based fibres and solar power, and blind taste testing. This ensures a high quality product is provided to customers without causing additional negative impact to the environment, with British Airways serving almost forty-million cups of tea on board every year.
The partnership with Birchall Tea has come following British Airways’ announcement that they will be the first airline to add prestige cuvée English sparkling wines to their award-winning wine list. In order to do so, British Airways has been working in collaboration with pioneering English sparkling wine houses such as Nyetimber, Gusbourne, and Sugrue South Downs to offer a range across its First and Club and World cabins.
About Birchall Tea
Founded in 1872 by Captain Birchall George Graham, Birchall Tea has developed a reputation for quality craftsmanship, exceptional taste and commitment to sustainability. The independent British tea company is family-run and is currently led by Daniel Graham, five generations later.
Birchall’s dedication to the environment is evident through their innovative fully solar-powered tea factory which generates twice the energy it consumes. This factory is the UK’s first and only of its kind.
Birchall Tea is the UK’s most awarded tea brand for taste, with their Great Rift English Breakfast tea having won the prestigious Great Taste Awards for fourteen consecutive years. Birchall is also one of the largest exporters of black tea from East Africa.
What are your thoughts on this partnership? Will you be trying out Birchall Tea? Let us know.
