US. Bombay Sapphire and Virgin Atlantic have joined forces to introduce a specialty cocktail service for Upper Class Virgin Atlantic passengers onboard the carrier’s new flights to Sydney.
Following a successful trial on the London-New York route, a Bombay Sapphire “mixologist” will be onboard selected flights, mixing up five sumptuous cocktails for passengers at the Upper Class Suite bar (pictured above).
The service was previewed on the inaugural London-Sydney flight (via Hong Kong), which departed on 5 December 2004 with 130 VIP guests onboard, including Virgin Atlantic CEO Richard Branson.
The cocktail menu will feature the Bombay Sapphire Martini, the Jade Garden, the Eastern Soul, the Breakfast Martini and the Hedgerow Sling, plus a new signature cocktail called the Red Head (below).
Created especially for Virgin Atlantic, this is a blend of fresh raspberries and framboise, shaken with Bombay Sapphire and fresh lemon juice, served in a flute and topped with Champagne and a lemon twist.
Bombay Sapphire Global Brand Director Marshall Dawson commented: “We are delighted to be the chosen spirit partner of Virgin Atlantic for such an innovative venture”¦Bombay Sapphire consumers appreciate and enjoy the best in life, as luxury travel is extremely important in their everyday lifestyle.”
Virgin Atlantic Head of Media Lysette Gauna added: “We are very pleased to be the first airline to offer this unique cocktail service to our Upper Class passengers. We trialed this service earlier [last] year and passengers clearly loved being able to enjoy a delicious Bombay Sapphire cocktail onboard.
“We are now offering the service on selected flights to a number of destinations around the world. The new Upper Class Suite bar, a newly-designed private bar in an area separated from the cabin, has a welcoming atmosphere and is the perfect venue to enjoy a cocktail.”
Dressed in a Bombay Sapphire uniform to distinguish themselves from the Virgin Atlantic cabin crew, the mixologists will initially offer Virgin’s Upper Class passengers their cocktails during the first drinks service.
The cabin crew will serve the cocktails in the passenger suites or at the onboard bar.
The service is to be offered for the first three hours of the flight and consumption will be monitored and limited.
Bombay Sapphire mixologists will receive extensive safety procedure training and will not perform any additional duties throughout the flight.
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