British Airways has introduced a new brunch service on long-haul flights, and frequent flyers have accused the airline of scrambling to cut costs.
From 15 October, the extended breakfast for lunch meals will be served on flights that depart between 8.30am and 11.29am.
Menu items for the primary inflight meal across seat categories now include cheese frittatas, Belgian waffles and poached eggs on sourdough.
Previously, grilled halibut, chicken wellington and a vegetarian korma were main course options in First Class.
An appetiser, dessert and wine will reportedly all still be offered with the breakfast tray.
As meal services cannot start until an aircraft reaches cruising altitude – 30,000 feet or higher – Club World passengers sitting towards the back of the aircraft on flights taking off after 11am may not be served until around 1.30pm.
BA said that the new brunch service was implemented in line with positive customer feedback on classic brunch dishes and lighter lunch options.
The flag carrier airline has also cut back on meal options for late-night flights.
On departures after 9pm, BA passengers will no longer receive appetisers or have a choice of dessert. Main meals will now feature items such as paninis, soup and salads.
The lighter ‘goodnight’ menu is designed to help customers maximise their onboard sleep according to the airline.
A full meal service will still be included on some of BA’s long-haul flights.
Several frequent flyers said they considered the changes “cheap” and a “major downgrade” of the service.
In a thread on Flyer Talk, on BA passenger said: “This looks like simple cost-cutting to me, reducing canapés from 3 to 1 and adding in some cheap nuts and olives.”
Another wrote: “The contents of brunch aside I don’t really get the 11.29am cut off. For any flight after 11 I very much doubt you will be getting a main course until well after Noon in First, likely a lot later if there is any ground delay.”
A spokesperson for British Airways said: “We’re incredibly proud of our premium dining experience, which includes a wide range of meal options to suit the preferences of our customers depending on the time of day they’re travelling. We trialled our new brunch offering with thousands of customers across numerous routes and received extremely positive feedback on…
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