British Airways has officially reversed its unpopular catering cuts in premium cabins on long-haul flights, reinstating full meal service after significant backlash from passengers and crew. The airline introduced cost-cutting measures in October 2024, replacing lunch with brunch on late-morning flights and reducing meal service on overnight departures. However, widespread dissatisfaction has forced a complete rollback by February 2025.
‘Brunchgate’ and the Goodnight Service Debacle
British Airways attempted to justify the changes as being based on customer feedback, but many viewed them as blatant cost-cutting. The key modifications included:
- Brunch instead of lunch – Flights departing between 8:30 AM and 11:29 AM featured breakfast items like omelets and pancakes, often served close to 1 PM, when passengers would have preferred lunch.
- Stripped-down ‘Goodnight’ service – On long-haul flights departing after 9 PM, full-course meals were replaced with soup, salads, and paninis, eliminating appetisers and dessert choices.
Passengers were unimpressed, with some describing the food as unappetising and the timing illogical. Frequent flyers reported being served breakfast-style meals well into the afternoon, while others on overnight flights were left hungry due to the reduced menu.
Passenger Outrage Forces a Reversal
The response was overwhelmingly negative, prompting British Airways to quietly reconsider. By December 2024, the airline had temporarily scrapped brunch in favour of Christmas meals. By early 2025, it phased out the ‘Goodnight’ service on longer flights. Now, as of February 2025, full meal service—including appetisers, main courses, and desserts—has returned on all long-haul routes, including shorter transatlantic flights.
Reports also surfaced that British Airways instructed its crew to avoid apologising for the cuts, further aggravating customer frustration. Even BA’s own employees voiced concerns, highlighting the difficulty of maintaining service standards with the stripped-back offerings.
British Airways’ Cost-Cutting vs. Industry Standards
British Airways’ misstep highlights an ongoing debate in the aviation industry regarding meal service efficiency versus quality. Other leading carriers have successfully balanced cost savings with passenger expectations:
- Air France is frequently praised for its ‘one-tray’ service on short overnight flights, delivering high-quality meals efficiently.
- Singapore Airlines and Emirates use extensive pre-order systems, allowing passengers to choose from a wider range of meal options while minimising waste.
Had British Airways adopted a more flexible approach, such as offering a pre-order system or allowing passengers to choose between brunch and lunch, it may have avoided the backlash altogether.
What This Means for Passengers
With British Airways reinstating its full meal service, premium passengers can once again expect a more substantial and predictable dining experience on long-haul flights. While the rollback is a positive outcome, it raises broader questions about the airline’s decision-making process and its commitment to premium service.
For now, British Airways customers can enjoy a return to traditional inflight dining. However, the airline’s repeated cost-cutting missteps suggest that while this issue may be resolved, future controversies could be just a cost-saving initiative away.
