BA backlash as City workers in economy class still get perks

BRITISH Airways has been accused of giving ‘special treatment’ to City workers by continuing to offer them complementary food and drink in economy class.

The airline faced a backlash from passengers after scrapping these perks on short haul economy flights in January last year.

But the service is still ongoing under its CityFlyer brand from London City airport – a major hub for business travellers.

Passengers say that the service in CityFlyer’s economy class – including extra legroom – is a stark contrast to the increasingly pared back, cramped experience in economy class with BA. One CityFlyer passenger said he was offered coffee and a snack on his flight from Edinburgh, adding that BA’s subsidiaries ‘normally operate a superior service to BA’.

James Daley, of Fairer Finance, said: ‘I can see why people would get upset that business travellers get special treatment while families flying with BA get a pared back service.’

BA said that CityFlyer is used by holidaymakers as well as business travellers. It added that free food and drinks will be ditched on the CityFlyer service next year.