British Airways is set to introduce a change that is likely to provoke debate among fans of the classic English breakfast. Starting January 7, 2026, the airline will adjust the breakfast service on numerous short flights across Europe for passengers in the Club Europe business class. Presently, British Airways usually provides two or three hot meals, but this will no longer be the standard across all routes. According to the new policy, only one choice will be available on certain flights — a fruit plate, yogurt, and a warm pastry. This change will take effect on flights to and from Amsterdam (AMS), Belfast (BHD), Brussels (BRU), Dublin (DUB), Jersey (JER), Manchester (MAN), Newcastle (NCL), and Paris (CDG). All other routes will still offer a complete hot breakfast. British Airways asserts that this modification aims to facilitate meal delivery for crews and grant them “more time in the cabin with customers.”
I’ve always found it remarkable how British Airways provides full hot breakfasts on short-haul flights within Europe. Many of these journeys last only 45-60 minutes, where a US airline might not even offer a round of drinks to premium cabin travelers (let alone any food, save for packaged nuts). Moreover, most European competitors (like Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, SWISS, etc.) do not serve hot breakfasts on such brief flights. Thus, British Airways is merely removing a competitive edge rather than pulling ahead in a race to minimize offerings. That said, Brits tend to value a hot breakfast significantly more than individuals from France, Germany, and similar countries, where a cold breakfast is standard. Personally, as someone who doesn’t consume pork, I’m pleased to see this change, since I’ve never enjoyed the full English breakfast. However, I recognize that this is a personal perspective, and many people will disagree (and the airline should indeed serve the majority of customers, not just me).
So, what is the true drive behind British Airways’ decision regarding this alteration? Is it genuinely to enable the crew to engage more with customers in the cabin? We must be candid with ourselves, as it’s evident what’s at play here — this is likely motivated by cost-cutting rather than any other rationale. I don’t intend to be cynical, but British Airways has a history of such decisions. This is the same airline that attempted to extend brunch and dinner hours on long-haul flights to serve less expensive food and save on costs. The airline ultimately reversed that decision.
Beginning January 7, 2026, British Airways will eliminate hot breakfast on eight of its shortest and highest frequency routes. With this adjustment, travelers will receive fruit, yogurt, and a pastry instead. The airline explains that this initiative is intended to simplify service for the crew and enable them to spend additional time in the cabin. Admittedly, British Airways did offer the most comprehensive breakfast choices on flights of this duration. This was likely because Brits generally anticipate more from breakfast than passengers from some other neighboring nations. I have no doubt that this change is primarily driven by a desire to reduce expenses, considering the airline in question. What are your thoughts on British Airways’ changes to short-haul breakfast offerings?