Air France and KLM to drop free meals on medium-haul

[signed]

This European airline will no longer offer free in-flight meals in new trial

Air France is testing out a new initiative to stop serving complimentary meals onboard in lieu of an a la carte system.

www.usatoday.com

The French airline announced it is testing out a new initiative to remove free in-flight meals for economy class passengers in lieu of a "Buy on Board" system on select short- and medium-haul flights starting in early 2025.

"Air France is constantly studying opportunities to develop its offer, in order to meet customer expectations as effectively as possible, in line with market trends," an airline spokesperson told USA TODAY in an email statement.

Under the new trial, the in-flight service will include free beverages – ranging from tea, coffee and water – and a "sweet cookie," the airline told USA TODAY in an email statement. Passengers will then have the option to purchase an a la carte food item.


Currently, passengers on medium-haul Air France flights longer than two-and-a-half hours are given a "fresh sandwich," according to the airline website. With the "Buy on Board" model, more hot food options will be available.

The trial will not affect service on long-haul flights; it will only apply to routes between Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and Lisbon or Helsinki. Customers on affected flights will be notified individually in advance of their departure.

Air France's sister airline, KLM, is doing a similar test with the possibility of permanently removing the free meals by the end of 2025, according to Dutch media outlet Luchtvaartnieuws. The majority of carriers have already scraped free meals in economy for shorter flights, such as British Airways. Most airlines in the U.S. don't offer free meals in economy unless you're on a long-haul flight, like an international one.

I am seeing a slow Americanisation of the full-service airlines in Europe with that, though the added hot fodd options will likely be better that what's offered on competing low-cost or mid-service (like Aer Lingus) airlines (especially as free drinks will still be offered)

 

[Tetchytyke]

They're pretty much the last airline to offer proper food in short haul economy. British Airways* got rid almost ten years ago now, Lufthansa did it in 2021.

(*CityFlyer still offers food and complimentary drinks- including hot drinks, spirits, wine, and beer- but for how much longer who knows)

I still think it's a mistake for them to remove all differentiation between themselves and the LCCs. No matter how low BA or KLM go, Ryanair and Wizz will go lower. But the beancounters clearly don't agree.

 

[Bald Rick]

I still think it's a mistake for them to remove all differentiation between themselves and the LCCs. No matter how low BA or KLM go, Ryanair and Wizz will go lower.

Not sure how you can go any lower, unless one takes a sandwich onto Ryanair to give to the crew.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I am seeing a slow Americanisation of the full-service airlines in Europe with that, though the added hot food options will likely be better that what's offered on competing low-cost or mid-service (like Aer Lingus) airlines (especially as free drinks will still be offered)

I have no doubt about that whatsoever.

They're pretty much the last airline to offer proper food in short haul economy. British Airways* got rid almost ten years ago now, Lufthansa did it in 2021.
(*CityFlyer still offers food and complimentary drinks- including hot drinks, spirits, wine, and beer- but for how much longer who knows)

I still think it's a mistake for them to remove all differentiation between themselves and the LCCs. No matter how low BA or KLM go, Ryanair and Wizz will go lower. But the bean counters clearly don't agree.

I agree. I think it is a mistake too, but time will tell. I don't have the data/market research and they do.

 

[Tetchytyke]

Not sure how you can go any lower, unless one takes a sandwich onto Ryanair to give to the crew.

Don’t give O’Leary ideas

The world's first cabin crew paid entirely by tips.

 

[cactustwirly]

They're pretty much the last airline to offer proper food in short haul economy. British Airways* got rid almost ten years ago now, Lufthansa did it in 2021.

(*CityFlyer still offers food and complimentary drinks- including hot drinks, spirits, wine, and beer- but for how much longer who knows)

I still think it's a mistake for them to remove all differentiation between themselves and the LCCs. No matter how low BA or KLM go, Ryanair and Wizz will go lower. But the beancounters clearly don't agree.

I disagree completely, since they densified the planes and introduced BOB, the fares have got a lot more competitive. Particularly morning and evening flights are the same price as easyJet.

They still have the USP of using Heathrow, good flight times and including 2 items of hand luggage

 

[johncrossley]

I haven't been on a full service airline for years. What is the choice of food on Air France or KLM like, compared to easyJet or Ryanair?

 

[peteb]

I haven't been on a full service airline for years. What is the choice of food on Air France or KLM like, compared to easyJet or Ryanair?

Not sure about the food, but my roving reporter just landed at MAN from AMS and reported a free glass of red wine......in Economy!

 

[johncrossley]

Do full-service airlines still give you a very limited choice of meals? Ryanair and easyJet (for example) have quite a wide range of food to choose from.

 

[artemic]

Within Europe, KLM's free offer seems to be a vegetarian sandwich. 'Intercontinental' flights provide something warm, a salad, and a dessert. You can upgrade them on flights departing from Schiphol for a fee - they have a couple of set meals.

In economy class I was given tortelloni spinach ricotta on a flight AMS - SVO and a mystery cheese pizza slice LED - AMS (those were the days!) but I can't say it was a Michelin star culinary experience. I don't remember there being a choice however free food is free food!
A true shame that they're going to get rid, and would perhaps be a factor for some in deciding with whom to fly in future.

My experience with other 'full-service' airlines (SAS, Finnair etc.) is that you get a free drink and then a menu of food to pay for. It sounds like this is what AF/KLM are after.

 

[jfollows]

Last time I flew Air France - a number of years ago - Manchester to Paris - I got a dry bun and a coffee. No loss if they drop this.
Slightly more recently (2016?) I upgraded KLM to business class from Amsterdam to Manchester and had a nice meal. But otherwise my expectations are that I should eat at the airport.
Jet2 is now my airline of choice, obviously on holiday routes, good service and you get what you pay (extra) for.

 

[atillathehunn]

They're pretty much the last airline to offer proper food in short haul economy. British Airways* got rid almost ten years ago now, Lufthansa did it in 2021.

(*CityFlyer still offers food and complimentary drinks- including hot drinks, spirits, wine, and beer- but for how much longer who knows)

I still think it's a mistake for them to remove all differentiation between themselves and the LCCs. No matter how low BA or KLM go, Ryanair and Wizz will go lower. But the beancounters clearly don't agree.

I wouldn't call it proper food particularly. It's not a full meal, by any stretch of the imagination. A slightly upgraded snack is more like it.

Complementary food is not the only differentiator between LCCs and the legacies. Network, frequency, loyalty status, corporate accounts are also important differentiators.

 

[johncrossley]

There's no point in free food if you don't like any of the limited free choices. Better to pay for something you actually might want to eat.

 

[AndrewP]

KLM is a terrible airline anyway so can't be much worse however Air France is pretty good. However for short and medium haul most people buy on price and or convenience so as long as the hard and soft products are adequate the loss of free meals won't make a difference in my view

 

[AdamWW]

Within Europe, KLM's free offer seems to be a vegetarian sandwich.

That was my experience this summer.

But with free wine available (not offered, but there if you asked for it).

 

[cactustwirly]

Do full-service airlines still give you a very limited choice of meals? Ryanair and easyJet (for example) have quite a wide range of food to choose from.

The BA inflight menu seems to be very similar to easyJet

 

[Bungle965]

The BA inflight menu seems to be very similar to easyJet

Although the actual availability of it is very hit and miss, I remember being told that a lot of stuff wasn’t available on a flight out from London to Cyprus and they were keeping what sandwiches they had available for the flight back.

For a flight of that distance I would have expected something.

 

[Bill57p9]

Loganair still offer a complimentary drink (tea, coffee or water) and the choice of either a caramel wafer or biscuits.
It is a limited offering, but sets them apart on domestic UK routes and great to see that the bean counters haven’t won.

Do BA still offer a bottle (well thimble) of water and a pretzel in Euro Traveller (short haul economy)?

 

[AlterEgo]

Loganair still offer a complimentary drink (tea, coffee or water) and the choice of either a caramel wafer or biscuits.
It is a limited offering, but sets them apart on domestic UK routes and great to see that the bean counters haven’t won.

Do BA still offer a bottle (well thimble) of water and a pretzel in Euro Traveller (short haul economy)?

BA were serving little nut bags on my flight from Tenerife the other day, rather than pretzels.

 

[Tetchytyke]

Although the actual availability of it is very hit and miss

It’s the same as with the LCCs, if you don’t pre-order then there’s a good chance there won’t be anything.

Complementary food is not the only differentiator between LCCs and the legacies. Network, frequency, loyalty status, corporate accounts are also important differentiators.

There aren’t many differentiators between BA and the LCCs anymore; they even use the same Recaro seats in economy.

Things like status at are a funny one. Having earned status on long haul I can see why you’d choose an airline which you have status with. But most people don’t have status with these airlines and the people travelling down the back in economy are not usually the ones who earn status anyway. At 5TP a pop you’re not earning your BA Silver card in short haul economy.

I find it strange that these airlines try and compete on price when the LCCs and ULCCs will always be able to go lower on price. I know there’s a balance, nobody is going to pay £100 extra for half a crap sandwich and a mini can of Coke, but still.

 

[Mojo]

They axed the pretzels back in October last year and to great fanfare replaced it with either a tiny banana bread or flapjack.

In January these were quietly axed and replaced with, at breakfast time a cereal bar or digestive biscuits, and a selection of sweet and snacks (exact offering depended on the length of the flight).

These options were again after the spring scrapped and replaced with a choice of either disgusting corn bites or a bag of mini chocolate chip cookies. More recently the cookies seem to have been scrapped and the last 6 short haul flights I’ve done have only offered the disgusting corn snacks.

 

[Watershed]

At 5TP a pop you’re not earning your BA Silver card in short haul economy.

After 50 flights (even in economy), you do! For those who fly to (or for) work every other week it's a viable proposition.

 

[AdamWW]

There aren’t many differentiators between BA and the LCCs anymore; they even use the same Recaro seats in economy.

Are there not still differences like LCC's preferring to board using two doors via stairs instead of a jetway?

And do the likes of BA now have turnaround times as short as the LCCs?

 

[Mag_seven]

(*CityFlyer still offers food and complimentary drinks- including hot drinks, spirits, wine, and beer- but for how much longer who knows)

All I got was a packet of crisps on a CityFlyer flight the other evening when I had been given a sandwich on one of their flights last year. A choice of an alcoholic drink was offered on both flights though.

 

[Watershed]

All I got was a packet of crisps on a CityFlyer flight the other evening when I had been given a sandwich on one of their flights last year. A choice of an alcoholic drink was offered on both flights though.

I think the food you get on CityFlyer depends on the length of the journey.

 

[Tetchytyke]

All I got was a packet of crisps on a CityFlyer flight the other evening when I had been given a sandwich on one of their flights last year. A choice of an alcoholic drink was offered on both flights though

It depends on the length of the journey. Flights under about two hours just give you a snack and an alcoholic drink, over that it’s a half-sandwich and a drink.

 

[Mag_seven]

I think the food you get on CityFlyer depends on the length of the journey.

It depends on the length of the journey. Flights under about two hours just give you a snack and an alcoholic drink, over that it’s a half-sandwich and a drink.

Ah I half suspected that.

 

[atillathehunn]

It’s the same as with the LCCs, if you don’t pre-order then there’s a good chance there won’t be anything.


There aren’t many differentiators between BA and the LCCs anymore; they even use the same Recaro seats in economy.

Things like status at are a funny one. Having earned status on long haul I can see why you’d choose an airline which you have status with. But most people don’t have status with these airlines and the people travelling down the back in economy are not usually the ones who earn status anyway. At 5TP a pop you’re not earning your BA Silver card in short haul economy.

I find it strange that these airlines try and compete on price when the LCCs and ULCCs will always be able to go lower on price. I know there’s a balance, nobody is going to pay £100 extra for half a crap sandwich and a mini can of Coke, but still.

The experience on board is just one small part of the differentiation, though. Food on short haul is not really the decider for me, unless there is literally no other difference in departure airport, time, destination airport. Airport food has got a lot better, or eat in the lounge.

This conversation is also only considering one aspect. The discussion here is about travel within Europe, on routes on which there is point-to-point competition on core city/region pairs. But the point of the legacies is that they can often give you greater reach possible via their hubs and networks, as well, of course, as long/medium haul connections. Because there is strong demand for both kinds of travel within Europe, particularly from cities like London, means airlines like BA get a very odd passenger mix of long haul connectors and O&D traffic. If it were easily feasible, I'm sure they would differentiate the provision. Indeed, at some airlines there is differentiation - some airlines did (and some still do) offer a different onboard product depending on whether you were p2p or connecting. Brussels airlines used to do this (they might still, but I have only flown with them long-haul recently), and SAS I think used to but didn't appear to on my most recent flight a few weeks ago. Further afield, flyDubai do the same (their chickpea wrap is among the tastier hot snacks in the sky).

But the differentiation is also frequency - often multiple flights per day with plenty of rebooking options in their own or partner networks. But the point on frequent flyer status should absolutely not be ignored. It's not just earning in the air, it's about the credit card deals and other earning routes (Nectar and Avios tie-up, etc). Those on corporate travel also often have corporate rates/deals with airlines, which LCCs don't carry. While most people don't have elite tier status, those that do easily outspend most other people.

My work routes are wildly varied, but due to the nature of my household, we have two consistent VFR routes: AMS-MAN and AMS-MXP/LIN. KLM and easyJet compete on these routes. While there's usually a headline price differentiation, this evaporates when you take into account getting hand baggage on easyJet. The timings are often similar on these high frequency routes. But my bank gives me Flying Blue miles when I spent on the card, and I can then earn Flying Blue miles onboard, KLM gets tipped over the edge. These little XP boosts have put me over the edge of a status level earned through long-haul work travel a few times.

 

[Bungle965]

It’s the same as with the LCCs, if you don’t pre-order then there’s a good chance there won’t be anything.

Even on the first flight of the day? Have you experienced that, I haven’t?

 

[cactustwirly]

Are there not still differences like LCC's preferring to board using two doors via stairs instead of a jetway?

And do the likes of BA now have turnaround times as short as the LCCs?

BA is slightly longer than the LCCs being 45 minutes

The experience on board is just one small part of the differentiation, though. Food on short haul is not really the decider for me, unless there is literally no other difference in departure airport, time, destination airport. Airport food has got a lot better, or eat in the lounge.

This conversation is also only considering one aspect. The discussion here is about travel within Europe, on routes on which there is point-to-point competition on core city/region pairs. But the point of the legacies is that they can often give you greater reach possible via their hubs and networks, as well, of course, as long/medium haul connections. Because there is strong demand for both kinds of travel within Europe, particularly from cities like London, means airlines like BA get a very odd passenger mix of long haul connectors and O&D traffic. If it were easily feasible, I'm sure they would differentiate the provision. Indeed, at some airlines there is differentiation - some airlines did (and some still do) offer a different onboard product depending on whether you were p2p or connecting. Brussels airlines used to do this (they might still, but I have only flown with them long-haul recently), and SAS I think used to but didn't appear to on my most recent flight a few weeks ago. Further afield, flyDubai do the same (their chickpea wrap is among the tastier hot snacks in the sky).

But the differentiation is also frequency - often multiple flights per day with plenty of rebooking options in their own or partner networks. But the point on frequent flyer status should absolutely not be ignored. It's not just earning in the air, it's about the credit card deals and other earning routes (Nectar and Avios tie-up, etc). Those on corporate travel also often have corporate rates/deals with airlines, which LCCs don't carry. While most people don't have elite tier status, those that do easily outspend most other people.

My work routes are wildly varied, but due to the nature of my household, we have two consistent VFR routes: AMS-MAN and AMS-MXP/LIN. KLM and easyJet compete on these routes. While there's usually a headline price differentiation, this evaporates when you take into account getting hand baggage on easyJet. The timings are often similar on these high frequency routes. But my bank gives me Flying Blue miles when I spent on the card, and I can then earn Flying Blue miles onboard, KLM gets tipped over the edge. These little XP boosts have put me over the edge of a status level earned through long-haul work travel a few times.

Exactly this, I have the BA Amex so earn Avios.
Plus the convenience of using Heathrow instead of Luton or Gatwick is a bonus, you have much more choice of flight times, plus a more generous cabin bag allowance (2 bags are included with economy basic)

Once I personally include the full cost, of travelling to the Airport, luggage etc BA are competitive with easyJet. Some flights are ridiculously expensive, but a lot of the morning and evening flights are reasonably priced.

It is a better experience, I find the easyJet staff a bit colder and the boarding is more chaotic. Boarding by group number is a lot better, you know when you'll be boarding so can chill until your group number is called