Major airline reverses in-flight food change amid outcry

The airline considered trimming in-flight dining as a cost-cutting measure.

Feb 11, 2025 - 18:46

Major airline reverses in-flight food change amid outcry

As anyone who has ever passed through an airport lounge or traveled in a higher fare class had a chance to see, access to food is one of the main perks that airlines use to reward business class travelers and those who accrue status with the airline.

Both aboard the plane and in their lounges, airlines such as Qatar Airways, Etihad and Singapore Airlines will offer everything from caviar and rare wines to meals prepared by celebrity chefs from the destination country.

Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter

Attempts to sneak in some brunch backfire badly for BA

But even with the much smaller number of travelers in the high-fare classes, an expansive food menu can still seriously seep into an airline's profit margin.

As part of its cost-cutting measures, UK flagship carrier British Airways initially toyed with the idea of swapping the lunch that it serves its business and first-class passengers on long-haul flights with an extended brunch period. This would allow it to offer a simplified menu of waffles, cheese frittatas, or poached eggs on sourdough on flights leaving between 8:30 and 11:29 a.m.

It had also planned to cut out food entirely on flights leaving after 9 p.m.

The decision, however, has proven so unpopular as to be dubbed "Brunchgate"—many travelers with status with the airline felt that they were being cheated from the daytime offering of grilled halibut, chicken Wellington, or vegetarian korma (the options for the winter menu).

"Expecting business class passengers on £10,000 (roughly $12,360 USD) flexible tickets to be happy with a panini on a night flight or a 1:30 p.m. breakfast — with cheeseboard, coffee and liqueurs — on a day flight, purely to save under £5 (roughly $6.20 USD) on food, is all you need to know that the old BA is alive and well," wrote Rob Burgess on the website Head for Points. The site features content with British airline and points-maximization tips and Burgess was writing about the airline's promises to put more funds into creating a better customer experience.

Being able to enjoy chef-prepared meals in flight has been one reason people are loyal to British Airways.
British Airways

As initially reported by London-based Financial Times, British Airways has officially reversed course and gone back to serving breakfast foods only on flights leaving before 8:30 a.m. For the rest of the day, the full menu offering will continue to be available while late-night travelers will get to choose from a simplified selection of cold snacks during the first part of the flight and either breakfast or regular menu depending on flight time and the time zone of the destination.

British Airways commits to food that is "always good"

All of this applies only to those traveling in business and above as the simpler menu offered to economy travelers on long-haul flights has not been changed. On short flights within Europe, British Airways travelers have the option to purchase food from the airline's in-flight High Line Café and do not get an included meal.

More on travel:

"British Airways has a massive reputation and a very warm one, recognised [British spelling] throughout the world, that it’s great service, the food is always good; we need that food to always be good," the airline said in a statement confirming the changes.