Much-loved free perk of flying is disappearing forever – as yet another airline reveals plans to scrap it
A TOP European airline is scrapping free food onboard flights, just days after another carrier dropped theirs.
KLM is looking into ditching the free sandwiches it currently offers to economy passengers.
All travellers get the vegetarian sandwich and drink on their flight.
However, according to NL Times, the airline is considering “various concepts which make a wider range possible for a fee”.
A spokesperson said: “We are currently still in the research phase.
“The service will be introduced by the end of 2025 at the earliest.”
While passengers would still get free drinks such as coffee, tea and water, the only free food would be a small snack.
All other drinks such as alcohol and meals could become a paid-for option.
It comes just weeks after Air France – a sister company to KLM – confirmed they would be ditching their free food as well.
Passengers on short-haul flights were also once able to enjoy a sweet cookie at any time during the flight.
And on medium-haul flights passengers had an additional fresh sandwich for the rest of the journey.
But the new rules will mean only drinks such as tea, coffee and water will be free.
The two airlines are some of the last in Europe to still offer free food, with the majority having scrapped it.
Ryanair was one of the first budget airlines to scrap free food onboard.
This was followed by other low-cost airlines, with easyJet and Wizz Air also not offering free meals.
And most airlines only offer free meals if they are long-haul services.
British Airways scrapped complimentary meals on their short-haul flights back in 2017.
Back in the 1960s, food on planes was a much fancier affair.
Airlines with the best plane food
Korean Air
Korean Air won best airline cuisine in last year’s Global Traveler’s awards.
Some of their popular dishes onboard include bibimbap, a Korean rice dish, and ssambap, Korean rice lettuce rolls.
It also made the top 10 for airlines with the best plane food in CN Travelers 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards.
Japan Airlines
Coming in first place in the Reader’s Choice Awards was Japan Airlines.
The airline has partnered with six Michelin-star chefs, each of whom have three stars – so you can expect it to be good.
Passengers can choose bento boxes and miso soups onboard.
Singapore Airlines
Often voted one of the best airlines in the world, it is no surprising Singapore Airlines is said to have some of the best plane food.
Chef Dennis Littley said: “Their gourmet meals rival those of ground-based restaurants.”
Dishes include congee, a rice porridge, as well as Singaporean rice and curry options.
Some passengers were offers whole roast joints and souffles, along with silver service.
Sun Travel recently flew on the airline with the “world’s best plane food” – here’s what we thought.