British Airways Axes Hot Meals on Key Business Routes in New Cost-Cutting Drive

LONDON, UK – As of January 7, 2026, British Airways (BA) has officially implemented a contentious new catering strategy for its Club Europe (Short-Haul Business Class) cabin. In what frequent flyers are labelling "Death by a Thousand Cuts," the flag carrier has removed its signature hot breakfast from eight of its most high-frequency routes and quietly reclassified several European destinations into lower "catering bands" to further slash expenses.

Farewell to the Full English

The most visible change, which went into effect on Wednesday morning, targets the airline’s shortest and busiest hops from London Heathrow. Passengers on these routes, who previously enjoyed a multi-choice hot breakfast including the iconic "Full English," are now being served a uniform cold tray.

According to internal documents verified by industry analysts, the new morning offering consists of:

A fresh fruit plate

A "Raspberry Super Bowl" (yoghurt)

A single heated pastry (croissant, pain au chocolat, or pain au raisin)

The affected "Express" routes include:

Domestic: Belfast City (BHD), Jersey (JER), Manchester (MAN), and Newcastle (NCL).

International: Amsterdam (AMS), Brussels (BRU), Dublin (DUB), and Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG).

The "Catering Band" Manoeuvre

Beyond the breakfast cuts, BA has moved to reclassify several mid-length European destinations, including Madrid, Budapest, Warsaw, and Krakow, into lower "catering bands." This subtle shift allows the airline to reduce the complexity and cost of the meal service without a formal announcement of "service cuts."

On flights reclassified from Band 3 to Band 2, the proactive initial drinks-and-nuts service has been eliminated. Furthermore, full four-course hot meals are being replaced by smaller portions, and the traditional afternoon hot meal is being swapped for a "Ploughman’s Tea" on mid-afternoon departures.

Official Rationale vs. Passenger Reality

British Airways has defended the move as an operational necessity rather than a fiscal one. A spokesperson for the airline stated:

“Following successful trials in September, we're updating the meal options on our shortest flights. Due to the limited time available on these journeys, serving and enjoying a hot breakfast has become challenging.”

Internal communications to cabin crew echo this, claiming the simplification is intended to “make it easier to deliver and give you more time in the cabin with our customers.”

However, aviation critics point out that BA has aggressively expanded the size of its Club Europe cabins, sometimes reaching up to 50 passengers on an A321, while failing to increase crew numbers. By removing hot meals, the airline significantly reduces the time required for heating and plating, potentially allowing for a reduction in galley complexity.

The Context of "Brunchgate"

This is not BA’s first foray into aggressive catering reductions. The current strategy follows the infamous "Brunchgate" of 2024, where the airline attempted to replace long-haul lunch service with cheaper breakfast items on flights departing before 11:30 AM. That move was eventually rescinded following a massive passenger backlash; a history that many believe is currently repeating itself in the short-haul sector.