Snacks only after 10am
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.
Passengers on flights of more than 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" comparing the free benefits on BA flights, against those which are chargeable on easyJet and Ryanair.
As of 1100 today (July 29) the table still referred to "food and snacks" as being available free of charge on BA flights.
www.ba.com