Why British Airways Is Dropping Full English Breakfast on Short-Haul Flights
Key Points
- 1Effective January 7, 2026, British Airways will replace the full hot English breakfast with a continental option in Club Europe on eight short-haul routes, including Amsterdam, Dublin, and Paris CDG.
- 2The airline cites the limited flight time on these one-hour routes as the reason, aiming to simplify service and give cabin crew more time with customers.
- 3Aviation analysts suggest the move is primarily a cost-cutting measure, aligning BA's short-haul business class catering with European rivals like Air France and Lufthansa.
British Airways (British Airways) is modifying its in-flight meal service for premium passengers. The airline will remove the full English breakfast from its Club Europe business class cabin. This change affects morning flights on eight of its shortest European short-haul routes. The new service is set to begin on January 7, 2026.
The New Club Europe Offering
Instead of the traditional hot meal, BA business class passengers will receive a lighter continental breakfast. This tray will feature a fresh fruit plate, yogurt, and a heated pastry. The change applies to services from London Heathrow (LHR) to specific destinations. These routes typically have flight times of around one hour.
Affected Routes and Exceptions
The short-haul catering changes will impact flights to and from eight key destinations. These include both domestic and international routes.
- Amsterdam (AMS)
- Belfast (BHD)
- Brussels (BRU)
- Dublin (DUB)
- Jersey (JER)
- Manchester (MAN)
- Newcastle (NCL)
- Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
Interestingly, flights to Glasgow and Edinburgh remain unaffected. These Scottish routes will still offer a hot breakfast. BA reportedly trialed the cold breakfast on Scottish routes in September 2025. Feedback from that trial was reportedly poor.
Economy class passengers will continue to receive a complimentary snack and water. They can also pre-book and pay for a limited number of hot dishes.
Rationale and Industry Context
British Airways states the move is not an airline cost-cutting exercise. A BA spokesman said serving a hot meal is challenging due to the limited time. The new simpler meal aims to ensure a more comfortable experience. It will also allow cabin crew efficiency and more time with customers.
However, many aviation analysts view the change as a cost-reduction strategy. Some commentators noted that BA historically managed to serve hot breakfasts. This was true even on very short flights. Twenty years ago, BA offered a cooked breakfast on its Super Shuttle services. The airline has also expanded its Club Europe cabin size on these routes. This makes serving a hot meal more time-consuming.
This shift aligns British Airways with broader European airline catering trends. Many European rivals already offer cold options on similar short routes. Carriers like Lufthansa focus on pre-select options and cold dishes for flights under two hours. The European in-flight catering market shows a growing preference for lighter meals. The bakery and confectionery segment is a market leader. This is due to the short duration of domestic and intra-Europe travel.
Impact on the Premium Passenger Experience
The removal of the full English breakfast may affect the premium passenger experience. Business class travelers pay higher fares for enhanced service. The hot breakfast was a key differentiator for British Airways. Its removal may be perceived as a reduction in value. Passengers may now choose to eat in the lounge before boarding.
This development is part of ongoing changes in commercial aviation news regarding premium short-haul service. You can read more updates at flying.flights. The focus remains on balancing service quality with operational efficiency. This is especially true on high-frequency, short-duration routes.
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