Airline set to charge economy flyers for snacks

BRITISH Airways is scrapping free meals on short-haul flights in economy class, instead offering a selection of Marks & Spencer salads and sandwiches.

Passengers are currently given a light snack, such as a bacon roll, and a soft drink.

But from next year they will face paying for food, with prices including £1 for handcooked crisps, £3 for a cheese ploughman’s sandwich and £4.95 for a spiced chicken with quinoa and rice salad.

BA has claimed the move is in response to feedback.

Alex Cruz, BA’s chairman and chief executive, said: “We know our customers expect a great experience with British Airways. They’ve told us we are experts in flying and service, but when it comes to catering on short haul flights, they want to choose from a wider range of premium products.

“Like British Airways, Marks & Spencer is a wellknown, premium British brand that is respected and trusted, so it’s an ideal partnership.”

Low-cost airlines such as easyJet and Ryanair already offer small snacks for sale, but Mr Cruz claimed BA’s offering “sets a new standard in short-haul catering”.

The M&S food selection will be updated four times a year.

It will replace free snacks on short haul and domestic flights from Heathrow and Gatwick from January 2017 and from London City and Stansted by next summer.

Business class customers will continue to be offered a full, complimentary menu.

Andy Adcock, director of food at M&S, said: “We’re proud to be supplying a great British brand with a reputation for quality and customer service that mirrors our own.”