British Airways Gears Up for the Great Christmas Getaway

British Airways is gearing up for the great Christmas getaway as it prepares to carry over half a million customers during the festive period, with New York coming first as its most popular long-haul destination. On the other hand, Geneva is the airline’s most popular short-haul route this holiday season.

New York is also set to be the busiest route on Christmas Day, with many travelers opting to head to the Big Apple for holiday and New Year celebrations.

A World Traveler cabin on a British Airways Boeing 777. Photo by Nick Morrish/British Airways

Travelers will be able to get into the Christmas spirit on board as British Airways will serve 66,000 Christmas dinners. Approximately 330,000 brussels sprouts will be prepared alongside 270,000 roast potatoes and 8250kgs of turkey. A record number of mince pies will also be served.

The airline is also laying on festive entertainment with up to 40 new Christmas films, TV show episodes, audio books and music CDs under the Festive Cheer category. The Holiday and Elf, last year’s two most popular Christmas films on board return, alongside Gremlins, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, Scrooged and Miracle on 34th Street.

In addition to the festive programming, customers will have access to over 1,000 hours of films, TV and audio content.

British Airways is expected to spend £6.5 billion over the next five years, for the installation of industry-leading streaming wifi;  72 new aircraft, and the refreshing of 128 long-haul aircraft with new interiors. The carrier’s Boeing 777 aircraft operating out of Gatwick will feature new cabins with an inflight Panasonic entertainment system, updated with larger HD screens.