Business News

BA to scrap free meals on short-haul flights

Jul 29, 2009, 8:12 GMT

London - British Airways (BA) is to scrap all free meals, except breakfast, on its short-haul flights from next week, the airline announced Wednesday. On flights leaving after 0900 GMT, which are less than two hours long, passengers will only be served drinks and snacks. The airline said the measure, to be introduced on Monday, would save it around 22 million pounds (36 million dollars) a year. The British airline made a pre-tax loss of 401 million pounds last year and is currently in talks with staff about cost savings and job cuts. Thousands of BA staff have already agreed to take pay cuts or opt for part-time work to help the airline tackle the recession. The airline said research had shown that passengers' needs on catering changed around two-and-a-half hours into a flight when refreshment was required. 'When you fly with British Airways, the in-flight catering is top-class and, unlike some other airlines, it is free. It is not unusual to make small changes to avoid waste and save money where it makes sense and it meets customers' changing tastes,' said a spokesman.

Business News

BA to scrap free meals on short-haul flights

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