British Airways offers Economy passengers a Michelin-starred menu

Celebrity chef Tom Kerridge has designed the British-inspired menu for the airline's short-haul flights

British Airways has partnered with celebrity chef Tom Kerridge to offer travellers flying Economy class a new menu designed by the Michelin-starred chef. Courtesy BA

Travellers flying short-haul Economy class with British Airways can get set to tuck into dishes designed by a Michelin-starred chef.

The UK's national airline has announced its new Speedbird Cafe menu in partnership with celebrity chef Tom Kerridge.

Featuring a range of pies and sandwiches, it will be served on all BA's Euro Traveller flights. On the menu is a host of British-inspired bites including steak pies, chicken, bacon and celery brioche and Ploughman's cheddar sandwiches suitable for vegatarians. There's also a spiced cauliflower tortilla wrap geared towards vegan travellers.

“I am truly happy to be working with British Airways again, and to have the opportunity to champion the best of British to so many people. A sandwich, made with care and great flavours, can be a perfect meal and I hope the passengers enjoy my short haul menu," said Kerridge. The chef previously worked with the airline to design its celebratory centenary menus in 2019.

Scones with clotted cream, blueberry muffins and hand-cooked potato chips are also on the menu for passengers looking for more of a snack.

In an effort to reduce waste, travellers will need to pre-order their meals before flying. This must happen 12 hours before flights departing the UK and 24 hours before flights coming from overseas.

Kerridge's sandwich collection replaces food giant Marks & Spencer. The company previously supplied British Airways with its on-flight sandwiches. English chef Kerridge is the owner of several restaurants including the Hand and Flowers gastropub, the only pub in the UK with two Michelin stars.

British Airways' new Speedbird Cafe menu is chargeable with prices starting at around £4 ($5.50) per sandwich. The airline will continue to offer complimentary refreshments to travellers, a move that it introduced in response to the global pandemic.

It is also set to reintroduce glassware and china on long-haul flights from January 20. Previously, BA was serving food in minimum-contact meal boxes to reduce interaction between crew and passengers.