British Airways cut in-flight meals from short haul

Previously, passengers were provided with free food, but under new proposals passengers on short-haul flights less than 5 hours will have to pay for their food.

The food will be provided by Marks and Spencer and include some of the retailer's best-known products.

The new M&S menu will be introduced from 11/01/17 and will change with the seasons.

Members of BA’s executive club group will be able to use Avios points to buy food, the price of which has been compared favourably with budget airlines, easyJet and Ryanair.

The changes in the policy are part of a wider series of adjustments that will include new interiors and a simplification of the airline's fare structure. It will have just three options going forward.

The announcement has had a mixed reception, with some happy to pay for the quality and the extra options the new menu will provide. Others have been critical of the move and see no benefit for passengers.

Passengers may expect a reduction in the price of tickets but aviation analyst Alex Macheras thinks that that is unlikely to happen. “Unfortunately you have to be realistic. This sandwich is basically nothing on the ticket price, so what will disappear from the price? Nothing.”