This European airline will no longer offer free in-flight meals in new trial

Posted by Admin September 24, 2024 Travel

Flying on Air France next year? You may want to pack extra snacks.

The French airline announced it is testing out a new initiative to remove free in-flight meals for economy class passengers in lieu of a “Buy on Board” system on select short- and medium-haul flights starting in early 2025.

“Air France is constantly studying opportunities to develop its offer, in order to meet customer expectations as effectively as possible, in line with market trends,” an airline spokesperson told USA TODAY in an email statement.

Under the new trial, the in-flight service will include free beverages – ranging from tea, coffee and water – and a “sweet cookie,” the airline told USA TODAY in an email statement. Passengers will then have the option to purchase an a la carte food item.

Cruising Altitude: What’s the deal with airplane food? I went to Atlanta to find out.

Currently, passengers on medium-haul Air France flights longer than two-and-a-half hours are given a “fresh sandwich,” according to the airline website. With the “Buy on Board” model, more hot food options will be available.

The trial will not affect service on long-haul flights; it will only apply to routes between Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and Lisbon or Helsinki. Customers on affected flights will be notified individually in advance of their departure.

Business class passengers on all flights will continue to receive their full in-flight service, complete with wine and champagnes.

Air France’s sister airline, KLM, is doing a similar test with the possibility of permanently removing the free meals by the end of 2025, according to Dutch media outlet Luchtvaartnieuws. The majority of carriers have already scraped free meals in economy for shorter flights, such as British Airways. Most airlines in the U.S. don’t offer free meals in economy unless you’re on a long-haul flight, like an international one.