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British Airways adds Longbottom tomato juice at Gatwick

British Airways A320 at Gatwick as crew load Longbottom tomato juice for improved in-flight Bloody Marys and umami-forward flavor.
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3 min read

Key points

  • BA extends Longbottom to all Gatwick short-haul in November
  • Move follows strong sales from Heathrow and Manchester bases
  • Fresh-pressed tomatoes fit flyers' umami-boosted taste at altitude
  • Partner airlines reported higher tomato juice and spirit sales

Impact

What Changed
British Airways will stock Longbottom & Co. tomato juice on every short-haul departure from London Gatwick, doubling overall inventory after trial success.
Why It Matters
Fresh, clean-label mixers sell more drinks and improve the in-flight Bloody Mary experience, aligning with traveler preferences.
Dates
Rollout begins November 2025 on BA Euroflyer short-haul services from London Gatwick Airport (LGW).
What To Do
Ask crew for Longbottom when ordering a Virgin or Bloody Mary; pair with your preferred premium spirit.

British Airways will introduce Longbottom & Co. fresh-pressed tomato juice on all short-haul flights departing London Gatwick Airport (LGW) beginning in November 2025. The expansion follows strong sales on services stocked from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and Manchester Airport (MAN), and it effectively doubles the carrier's tomato juice inventory. The change matters because cleaner, fresher mixers are outperforming reconstituted options in both passenger satisfaction and bar revenue, bringing a better Virgin or Bloody Mary to more travelers.

British Airways and Longbottom

BA has offered Longbottom through its High Life retail channels and on select services. After a season of solid performance from Heathrow and Manchester, the airline is extending the product to Gatwick's short-haul network, which serves more than fifty destinations. Longbottom's ready-to-pour format lets crew serve a seasoned tomato base straight, or with premium spirits, with no prep. Other airlines have seen tangible uplifts after switching from concentrates, including reported increases in tomato juice take-up and premium spirit sales.

Latest developments

The Gatwick rollout starts in November 2025 and will cover all BA Euroflyer short-haul departures from LGW. Expect the mixer to be listed alongside BA's existing café items and featured in signature serves that highlight tomato's savory profile in the cabin.

Analysis

Tomato juice thrives at altitude. Lower cabin pressure, dry air, and constant ambient noise dampen the perception of sweetness and saltiness, while enhancing umami. That physiology explains why ripe tomatoes feel vivid on board and why fresh-pressed juice can outperform reconstituted paste. Studies simulating flight conditions found sweetness and salt perception drop, while savory notes stand out, which supports airlines' shift toward fresher, umami-forward ingredients.

For operators, the case is pragmatic. A high-quality base improves the taste of popular cocktails, nudges attachment to premium spirits, and aligns with label-conscious travelers who read ingredients and prefer natural products. BA's decision to scale Longbottom at Gatwick reflects these trends and should help standardize a better serve across its leisure network.

Final thoughts

British Airways expanding Longbottom & Co. from Gatwick elevates a staple with minimal friction. It meets passenger expectations for clean labels and better flavor, and it supports ancillary revenue. For travelers, it means a reliably better Virgin or Bloody Mary, anchored by fresh-pressed tomatoes. That is a small but welcome upgrade, and it reinforces the British Airways Longbottom tomato juice strategy as a sensible, taste-first move.

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