Father of three wins legal battle over free BA sandwiches
BRITISH Airways has put back the date for ending free food and drink on short-haul flights after being threatened with legal action.
Last year, thousands of passengers bought flights from the airline on the basis that drinks, a sandwich and snacks were included in the fare.
However, in January, BA dropped these on most short-haul flights in favour of Marks & Spencer food, which must be paid for.
The controversial change was not due to come in until August on flights using London’s City airport. But now, the date has been pushed back to late September – or even October – at the airport after one family lodged a claim for compensation in the small claims court.
Consumer campaigners say the case was likely to have succeeded – and so opened the door to thousands of similar claims.
The claim was brought by John Barber, who last September bought eight tickets for himself, wife Claire, their three children and his wife’s family to fly from City Airport to Majorca in August, costing a total of £2,000.
He booked two weeks before BA announced the change, and felt it was wrong it was no longer providing what he had paid for.
The same group took the equivalent BA flights last year when the fare included a bottle of water, a small bottle of wine for adults, soft drinks, a sandwich and crisps.
Mr Barber calculated that buying the same products this year from BA’s M&S menu would add up to £156.80 for the group. As a result, he lodged a case with the small claims court, asking for £316.80 to reflect his added costs and the time spent trying to resolve the situation.
After Mr Barber complained, BA offered him £2.50 per passenger per flight, adding up to £40 for eight people on a return trip.
It was only after the Daily Mail took up the case that BA decided to move the date of the change for flights out of London City Airport to late September or October. This means anyone travelling in August, like the Barbers, will now get free food and drink.
Mr Barber, 40, from Peterborough, said: ‘I suspect the only reason they changed the cut-off date is because they did not want to go through a court case and open the door to lots of other claims.
‘However, that doesn’t mean they are in the clear. We also need BA to make absolutely clear to everyone...exactly when this change is going to come into effect.’
Marc Gander, of the Consumer Action Group, said: ‘BA was clearly in the wrong. It acted very unfairly and in breach of contract. Anybody who brings a small claim like this should be congratulated.
‘We need more of the same for all of these companies because it is the only way that they will start to treat customers with respect.’
BA could not give a reason for changing the date for ending free food, other than to say the cut-off had ‘slipped’.
A spokesman said: ‘We now offer a range of M&S sandwiches and salads for under £5, and snacks from £1. Customers say they prefer the new selection.’