British Airways Brings Hoppers’ Sri Lankan Menu to the Skies on Its New Colombo Route
British Airways is bringing Sri Lankan flavours to its new London Gatwick–Colombo route through a limited-time menu created with Hoppers, the London-based Sri Lankan and South Indian restaurant group. From 23 October 2026, Club World customers will be able to choose from dishes inspired by Hoppers’ best-known flavours, with a specially created cocktail also available before departure in the British Airways Club Lounge at Gatwick.
For Sri Lankan travellers in the UK, the partnership offers a welcome taste of home before landing. For other passengers, it provides an introduction to the island’s food culture as they begin their journey.
Sri Lankan flavours on the Colombo flight
The Club World menu opens with yoghurt vadai: a soaked lentil fritter served with yoghurt, tamarind and coriander chutney, alongside crisps. The dish takes inspiration from popular snacks sold by street hawkers at Galle Face Green in Colombo.
For the main course, passengers can choose between Kalupol-spiced chicken with tangy lemon rice and beetroot curry, or Pollichathu cod. The chicken’s Kalupol seasoning is named for a Sri Lankan roasted spice blend, known for the deep, toasted flavour of its spices.
The cod is marinated in tomato chilli paste, wrapped in a banana leaf and cooked, then served with coconut rice and spicy pineapple curry. Pollichathu refers to a style of cooking fish in a leaf parcel, helping keep it moist while the flavours develop.
Dessert is watalappam bread pudding, served with spiced crumble and malt cream. Watalappam is a Sri Lankan dessert traditionally made with coconut and warm spices. Here, it is reimagined in a bread-pudding format, creating a meeting point between a familiar British dessert and Sri Lankan flavours.
The collaboration extends beyond the aircraft. Travellers can order the Ceylon Pearl in the British Airways Club Lounge at London Gatwick before departure. The cocktail combines Tanqueray Rangpur gin, lychee and pink citrus tonic.
A collaboration shaped for the journey
The menu was developed by Hoppers founder Karan Gokani and British Airways Executive Chef Mark Brega. In-flight catering brings practical considerations, including how dishes hold their texture and flavour after preparation and reheating. The dishes have been created with those conditions in mind while drawing on familiar Sri Lankan ingredients, cooking styles and tastes.
Brega said: “It was a pleasure to work with the talented team at Hoppers to bring the vibrant flavours of Sri Lanka to our customers at 35,000 feet. Food is such an important part of experiencing a destination, and Sri Lanka has a rich culinary heritage that we wanted to celebrate. Working together, we set out to create dishes that capture the spirit of Sri Lankan hospitality to transport customers to the streets and shores of the island, before they even touchdown.”
For Gokani, serving Hoppers food on a flight to Colombo has special meaning. He said: “It’s long been a dream to serve Hoppers food in the skies, so we were thrilled when British Airways approached us about this partnership. For the past decade, we’ve brought some of our favourite memories and flavours of Sri Lanka to our restaurants in London, and taking them back to Colombo feels like a wonderful full-circle moment. Working with Mark and the team, we’ve created a menu that celebrates the flavours of Sri Lanka through a uniquely British lens, all with the unmistakable Hoppers touch.”
What the partnership means for British Sri Lankan food
The new menu arrives as Sri Lankan restaurants and cuisine receive wider attention across the UK. Hoppers has helped introduce London diners to Sri Lankan and South Indian flavours, while recognition such as the Asian Curry Awards shortlist and Sigiriya Knutsford’s Top 100 recognition reflects the growing profile of Sri Lankan food businesses and restaurants.
A major British airline featuring Sri Lankan dishes by name on a route to Colombo adds another visible platform for that cuisine. It places flavours such as Kalupol spice, coconut rice and watalappam in front of passengers from different backgrounds, not only those already familiar with the food.
For the British Sri Lankan community, the announcement has a more personal resonance. A journey home often begins well before the aircraft reaches Colombo: with the anticipation of seeing family, returning to familiar places and enjoying food that carries memories. For passengers travelling to visit relatives or reconnect with their heritage, the meal can offer a small but meaningful link between departure and arrival.
It may also prompt first-time visitors to look beyond the dishes they already know. Sri Lankan cooking draws on distinctive ingredients, spices and regional traditions. A carefully chosen airline menu cannot represent the island’s full culinary range, but it can offer an inviting first taste and encourage passengers to explore more when they land.
Those planning a trip can find further information through British Airways’ Sri Lanka flight page. For more on the restaurant collaboration, visit Hoppers.
Original source: Future Travel Experience. British Airways collaborates with Hoppers restaurants to elevate onboard dining
Further reading: The Sun Sri Lanka, Hoppers takes flight: Karan Gokani on bringing Sri Lankan flavours to the skies | British Airways press release
At eLanka, we respect the rights of creators. If we have used an image you own and you’d like it removed, please email us at info@elanka.com.au and we’ll handle it promptly.
Thanks.
eLanka team
eLanka Disclaimer
Content published on eLanka may be created by the eLanka team, submitted by contributors or third parties, reproduced or adapted from other sources with appropriate source acknowledgement, or provided as promotional/advertising material by our clients. While eLanka takes reasonable care in preparing and publishing content, we do not warrant its completeness or accuracy. Views expressed are those of the respective authors or contributors and do not necessarily represent the views of eLanka. Third-party contributors, content providers and advertisers are responsible for the accuracy of material they supply and for ensuring they hold the necessary rights and permissions for its publication. Advertising and promotional content should not be regarded as an endorsement by eLanka of any product, service or claim.