There’s been a lot of press circulating that British Airways is to abandon offering food and drinks offerings on its short haul network.
British Airways Airbus A320 with Sharklets on taxi at Heathrow – Image, Economy Class and Beyond
This includes The Guardian, The Telegraph, Metro, BBC News and others.
British Airways Short-Haul and UK Domestic supports a catered service in all classes at the moment, with different catering loaded depending on flight length.
Or “Bands”. There’s a good thread on Flyertalk regarding BA’s Short Haul catering and catering bands and what’s catered for what.
Here’s some examples:
UK Domestic Catering at about Lunchtime:
Crisps and full bar.
UK Domestic Breakfast Time:
Bacon Roll and Coke/Coffee/Breakfast drinks.
Band 1 snack, EuroTraveller (London Heathrow to Hamburg)
Not overly impressive – and considering the time these were given out for (sub 1 hour 30 flights), not too bad.
However Alex Cruz seems to think there’s money to be saved, and money to be made as British Airways continues to be the only member of International Airlines Group that offers a free product in all classes (Aer Lingus, Iberia and Vueling).
At the moment, British Airways does offer paid-for food onboard in World Traveller (its long haul economy product) as an upgrade to meals offered on board.
British Airways released a comment in regards to the speculation:
“We are constantly reviewing every element of the experience our customers receive, including the in-flight catering, to ensure we’re delivering what they want.
“Everything we do is with our customers in mind and we will make changes that reflect their feedback.”
Hmm.
To me, this seems like an early press release to test the water and reaction of this change. And it seems to have gone down as well as having a dried out pasta option as the only food left on a plane.
In other words: Not very well.
It’s no secret that British Airways has stripped down its short haul products – firstly introducing Hand Baggage Only Fares, removing seat assignment for elite flyers on those fares and then dressing up the changes over and over.
It seems food and drink is the next target.
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“Are” British Airways?
Oy vey.