On March 3, 2024, British Airways (BA) will celebrate a decade of flying between London and Austin in Texas, USA. To mark the tenth anniversary of its service to the southernmost state capital city in the contiguous US, the airline has partnered with a renowned Austin-based Texan barbecue restaurant to produce limited-edition bottles of barbecue sauce to present to Club World (business class) passengers flying on the airline between the cities throughout March 2024.
Emulating the famous sauce served by Frankies Barbecue restaurant situated in downtown Austin, BA’s version (appropriately branded as ‘BA-B-Q Sauce’) will be served to accompany a new Texan-inspired barbecue menu to be served onboard BA flights originating from Austin heading to London.
According to a statement by the airline, “The menu will showcase the rich and savory taste of Austin’s barbecue tradition, offering customers a culinary treat that pays homage to the city’s renowned barbecue culture and brings the essence of this vibrant city to the skies”.
Additionally, throughout March 2024, Club World and World Traveller Plus customers flying from Austin to London will have the option to sample a lightly smoked and succulent beef brisket dish, served with sweet corn pudding, lightly spiced bean stew, pickled cucumber, red onion, and vegetable slaw, all of which “capture the heart of Texas barbecue culture,” according to the airline. Further down the plane, World Traveller customers will be able to try a smoky chicken barbecue dish, served with tasty rice and beans.
“We’re excited to celebrate a decade of connecting Austin and London,” said Calum Laming, British Airways’ Chief Customer Officer. “At British Airways we’re committed to providing an exceptional and original experience for our customers and we’re always looking for new ways to do that. Bringing the flavors of Austin to the skies with this special menu is one way for us to celebrate this remarkable city and express gratitude for the support we’ve received over the past 10 years. And we can’t wait for customers to enjoy our limited-edition bottles of Franklin Barbecue’s Original BBQ sauce.”
The special Lone Star State menu has been curated by British Airways’ Executive Chef Mark Brega, who drew inspiration from a visit to Austin where he met the ‘pitmaster’ of Frankie’s Barbecue, Aaron Franklin.
“Franklin Barbecue is a legendary establishment in Austin,” Mark commented. “Known for its long lines and mouthwatering brisket, it has earned a reputation as one of the best barbecue joints in the world. We are always looking for culinary inspiration in the cities we fly, so it was a delight to meet Aaron Franklin and learn from his passion and expertise and share Franklin Barbecue’s Original BBQ sauce with our customers.”
British Airways first launched flights to Austin on March 3, 2014, and the route is currently served daily by the airline’s A350 aircraft. Each of the carriers’ 18 A350s seats 331 passengers in a three-class configuration (56 business class, 56 premium economy, and 219 in economy class). Each of the A350s also features the airline’s all-new Club Suite business class cabin.
“We had such a good time hosting Mark and the team from British Airways,” said Aaron Franklin. “It’s an honor to help represent Austin as we celebrate ten years of a straight shot between these two great cities, and all kinds of fun to share this special sauce with British Airways travelers,” he added.