British Airways has disclosed it may end free food and drinks on long-haul flights. The airline’s boss has revealed that passengers on long-haul flights may have to buy their own food, widening BA’s short flight policy of scrapping free food and drinks. Passengers will have to buy Marks & Spencer sandwiches while on BA flights. Britain’s flag carrier’s decision to scrap complimentary food is likely to increase the claims that BA is gradually being turned into a no-frills budget airline.
The airline’s chairman, Alex Cruz has argued that despite the “rough start,” passengers have now warmed up to the idea of buying M&S snacks on European short haul flights. Speaking to the Sunday Times, he said that most customers pronounce that it’s going great since they will have good choices, No more chicken or beef'.
Responding to whether the service could be extended to long haul economy, Mr. Cruz said:"We might do it”. This is not the first time BA is scrapping free meals. BA ditched free meals on some services in 2009, but the no-complimentary meals policy for short haul flights officially took effect in January this year. BA passengers will now choose from the “M&S on board” menu which has snacks such as bags of crisps and chocolate bars for £1 each to a mozzarella and tomato focaccia for £4.95.
Mr. Cruz intimated he would add extra seats on to long-haul Boeing 777 jets flying from Heathrow. BA is in the process of fitting 52 extra seats onto its 777s operating from Gatwick to the Caribbean. Mr. Cruz said: “We'll start in Gatwick. We'll see how it goes and then see what comes for Heathrow."
British Airways has been accused of soiling the reputation of the airline by “trying too hard.”To that, Cruz said: “I don't engage with running this airline into the ground."
