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British Airways unveils its new coronavirus catering – it’s an improvement on the plastic bags

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What food and drink is British Airways serving during coronavirus?

Just a day after we complained about the state of British Airways onboard catering, British Airways has unveiled its new interim catering solution.

This is the food you will be seeing on long-haul and short-haul flights from 16th June.  There is still a distinct lack of hot food – unlike Emirates, Qatar, Etihad etc – but this is a definite improvement on the ‘cheese sandwich and a Kit Kat in a plastic bag’ meals which have been served to date.

Everything now comes in these fancy boxes (click on any image to enlarge):

British Airways business class Club World coronavirus food catering

First Class

Here is a main meal box for BA First Class. First Class is the only part of the aircraft where there will be hot main courses.

British Airways First Class coronavirus food catering

…. and here is a typical Afternoon Tea box:

British Airways First Class coronavirus food catering

Club World:

Here is a typical Club World meal.  Club World will not be getting hot main courses at this point although hot paninis and wraps will be available as snack or second meal options.  It is unclear if there will be any choice of meal, apart from a vegetarian option, or whether special orders will be allowed:

British Airways business class Club World coronavirus food catering

…. and here is a breakfast:

British Airways business class Club World coronavirus food catering

World Traveller and World Traveller Plus:

Here are typical World Traveller Plus and World Traveller meals.  Both cabins will receive the same boxes:

British Airways economy World Traveller coronavirus food catering

and

British Airways economy World Traveller coronavirus food catering

Club Europe:

Moving onto short haul, this is typical of what Club Europe passengers will be receiving:

British Airways Club Europe business class coronavirus food catering

Euro Traveller:

Euro Traveller will be retaining the free water and a small bag of crisps / popcorn / pretzels that is available at the moment.

Buy-on-board is not returning for the short term.

Special meals:

There will be two meal options offered – vegetarian and non-vegetarian.  I’m waiting for BA to confirm whether other special meals can be pre-ordered.

Alcohol:

Alcohol will be returning, except in Euro Traveller.

This is NOT a long term replacement for British Airways catering.  The airline is keeping it under constant review, with its hands partly tied by UK Government guidance.  You should expect to see the boxes above for at least four months, I believe.


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Comments (106)

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

  • Journeying John says:

    AS ever with BA, an uncompetitive too little,, too late cost cut offer. LH, VS and the ME3 are abel to offer close to normal service inc. beverages and hot food on flights to and from the UK so the line about government restrictions is clearly bull***t.
    #BestAvoided

  • Alex says:

    Will there be LPGS in First?
    Due to fly in October in F on Dreamliner. Hopefully we are back to some normality then.

    • babyg says:

      Good point, im booked in club on a dreamliner in October too.. if your travelling to SEZ plz some some LPGS into club please.

      • babyg says:

        They are letting in private jets and super yachts ATM, I’m hopeful we will be let in too, they seem to be relaxing borders globally so fingers crossed there is no 2nd wave. Was supposed to go June, new booking policy allowed us to rebook for school hols in October, leaving 14 back 25. Doing the full 10 days at the labriz, thou after all this lockdown I may look to break it into 5 there and 5 somewhere else..

  • Andrew says:

    I can see why they did the two announcements on the same day – give us some good news with the Exec Club extension to sweeten us up for this rubbish.

  • babyg says:

    Err well its “less worse”… wonder how many boxes i will be served from LHR-SYD if those flights go ahead… my 4 year old will be pleased, she loves boxes…

    • Sam says:

      Totally agree. Just less worse. Calling it an improvement is too much of a compliment to them.

  • Sam says:

    Let’s face it. This is just going to be the normal for BA. Another example of using hygiene reason as an excuse to cut cost. We have many other airlines that serve hot meal. Many airlines are still sticking with the pre-covid meal service.

    Soon we will see many more major airlines resume pre-covid services and BA would still be serving meal boxes, unless they felt they were pressured by their competitors or a degrade to 3 star from Skytrax.

    • BJ says:

      Agree, this is all nonsense from BA. If it is hygiene they are worried about they just need to kit the crew out in disposable masks, gloves, aprons, and caps and provide meal service as usual.

  • vinz says:

    Every time I see something like this I think “we’re not going to die of Covid but certainly die drowned in plastic!”

  • weepaul says:

    As a Coeliac, I would really like a ceoliac options on long haul. This is not a choice but a medical requirement. Can’t depend on getting anything at airport and bringing you own when connecting is difficult.

    • Peter K says:

      +1 for gluten free, and I’m sure those with other special diets feel the same. It was one of the pluses of CE that I’d know I’d get gluten free food. A surprising number of non-UK airports have basically nothing substantial.

      • Anna says:

        I have issues with gluten but fortunately the only consequence for me is resembling a puffer fish for a couple of days after eating plane food. In CW I can usually find enough to eat without resorting to bread, but I on short haul it’s hard to escape sandwiches and scones.

  • John T says:

    I could see this becoming permanent on BA

    • Andrew says:

      Certainly until the new year. Four months will easily slip to six.

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

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