British Airways is to scrap free meals after 10am on flights under two-and-a-half hours, in a bid to save £22 million per year.
The move, which will apply to economy passengers departing the UK from next week, will see the carrier replacing the current offering (typically a sandwich), with bags of nuts or similar snacks. BA will continue to offer all passengers a free breakfast before 10am, as well complimentary drinks throughout the day, and those on flights over two-and-a-half hours will still receive a meal service.
The carrier said that customer research showed that while passengers still valued a breakfast meal service, this became less important later in the day. Unlike rival low-cost airlines such as Easyjet and Ryanair, paid-for meals will not be available on short-haul BA flights.
BA recently launched a “Value Calculator” (click here to view), comparing the free benefits on BA flights, against those which are chargeable with Easyjet and Ryanair. It's not clear whether the "food and snacks" section of this calculator will now be updated to reflect the removal of a food service on these short-haul flights.
For more information visit ba.com.
Report by Mark Caswell
