British Airways launches airline themed pop up venue in run up to the Olympics

Wednesday, 4 April 2012 4:07 PM

Last night saw the official opening of ‘Flight BA2012’, a new pop up venue in London’s East End designed under the direction of celebrities Heston Blumenthal, Tracey Emin and Richard E Grant, to mark the BA Great Britons programme in the run up to the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The new venue open on selected weekends from April 4 - 17 features a restaurant, art gallery and cinema in one and celebrates the best in British talent.

Guests can watch ‘BOY’, a short film starring Timothy Spall and written by screenwriter Prasanna Purwanarajah, under the mentorship of Richard E Grant; as well as admiring artwork from artist-designer Pascal Anson, who was mentored by Tracey Emin on his ‘Dove’ design for a range of celebratory aircraft, displayed in the gallery.

The main highlight of the venue is though is the BA airline cabin inspired restaurant, serving up dishes inspired by the year 1948 (the last time the Olympics were held in London) created by Michelin -starred chef Simon Hulstone who has worked under the guidance of Heston Blumenthal. Dishes include creations such as ‘Fish pie with sustainable sourced hake and dressed with parmesan pomme puree and a warm tartare sauce’ and ‘Rillette of mackerel dressed on a pickled cucumber carpaccio with sour dough croutes’.

The menu will also be served on all BA long-haul flights departing London Heathrow between July and September (excluding certain routes such as India and Japan).

Frank van der Post, British Airways managing director of brands and customer experience, said: “We wanted to bring the flying experience to the public, allowing guests to preview our in-flight entertainment, celebratory aircraft livery and on-board menus in anticipation of the London 2012 Games. This is going to be an exciting year for the capital and this is just the very start of our take-off!”

To book a place at 'Flight BA2012', visit the airline's Facebook page. Tickets including champagne and three courses cost £50.