Cake Boy owner Eric Lanlard has partnered with airline Virgin Atlantic to create bespoke afternoon teas, which will be served at 38,000ft.

Rolling out in late summer, the high tea will be served on Virgin Atlantic daytime flights across upper class, premium and economy cabins. It will feature handmade sandwiches, scones and an assortment of macarons.

Master pâtissier Lanlard will be trialling the on-board high tea on a special test flight this month.

For now, a bespoke menu will be served at the London Heathrow Clubhouse between 3pm and 5:30pm daily. It will be accompanied by a pot of tea or Lanson Rose Champagne. The menu includes:

  • Prosciutto, sunblushed tomato and rocket on a stone-baked campagne brown roll
  • Smoked salmon, cream cheese and dill mint mini croissant
  • Broccoli, goat’s cheese and cress savoury tart
  • Homemade plain and sultana scones with strawberry preserve, lemon and clotted cream
  • Eton mess verrine with strawberry coulis
  • Apple and blackberry cake
  • Dark chocolate brownie with salted caramel sauce

“Virgin Atlantic is famous for its award-winning food and drink and, this year, we’re taking that reputation to new heights,” said Daniel Kerzner, VP of customer experience at Virgin Atlantic.

“We’re excited to work with Eric Lanlard and introduce a fresh take on afternoon tea to our Heathrow Clubhouse from April, and on-board our flights from late summer. It’s the first time that Eric has partnered with an airline, and I think our customers are going to love it.”

Lanlard added: “I am very excited about this new partnership and can’t wait to combine my passion for baking with air travel.”

Earlier this year, Lanlard’s London patisserie Cake Boy launched a vegan afternoon tea following the rapid rise in popularity of the meat- and dairy-free lifestyle.