Now BA has cut fresh f lowers and snacks for first class f liers

WHEN British Airways stopped serving complimentary snacks and drinks in economy class, loyal customers made their dissatisfaction clear.

Now the first and business class services are being compared to ‘Ryanair’ after perks including free wine and a popular amusebouche were stopped.

The number of free checked-in bags has also been cut and slippers, blankets and shawls are only being provided on request.

The list of frills that have disappeared for flyers in the more expensive seats have been compiled by disgruntled passengers and staff, who said the changes were damaging the airline’s ‘elite’ brand.

Staff attacked the cuts, such as fresh flowers in some first and club-class toilets and fewer spirits and magazines on offer.

One flight attendant said colleagues were ‘embarrassed by the state of the product. The only thing not being cut is the prices.’ Regular customer Alan Smith complained the company was being turned ‘into Ryanair’, the Sunday Times reported.

‘My patience with the evergrowing cost-cutting activities is growing thin,’ he said.

His recent business class trips had been blighted by the ban on free wine, faulty entertainment systems, a reduction in menu options in the lounge and cutting baggage allowance from three to two checked-in bags.

BA f lights axed as cabin crew strike – and now you can’t get a free G&T! From the Mail, January 12

One couple, who spent £5,200 for return business class flights to the Far East for their honeymoon, said the food was ‘disgusting’ and the staff were ‘rude’. Wedding director Kelly Mortimer from Cheam, Surrey, said her husband Simon, 39, convinced her to use BA as it would be ‘more special’.

She said: ‘The 13-hour return flight was supposed to be a relaxing end to our incredible trip. We got off the plane and the only thing we told our friends and family was how horrendous this flight was.’

BA offered them £50 off another flight after they complained but Mrs Mortimer, 38, who is pregnant, dismissed it, adding: ‘I don’t want to fly BA again.’

Since January, economy class passengers on short haul and domestic flights from Heathrow and Gatwick have been paying £1.80 for a bottle of water, £2.30 for a hot drink and £4.75 for a bacon roll. It is also planning to reduce legroom on some planes on European routes from 30 inches to 29 – less than Ryanair – to add two rows of seats.

BA said: ‘On long-haul flights we offer first class customers world class a la carte dining.

‘Then our business class customers receive three- course meals designed by top chefs plus snacks from our Club World kitchen.

‘In economy we offer a complimentary three-course meal, bar service and snacks and on longer transatlantic flights, including to the US West coast, customers are offered an extra meal during the flight.’