The Air France/KLM twins are planning to cut back on free food for economy passengers on short haul flights in Europe, following most of their fellow large-scale carriers. Premium passengers would still be fully-fed.
The two are among the last major European airlines to serve a meal, most usually a sandwich plus, on all flights.
Air France will test the idea on two routes, from Paris to Helsinki and Paris to Lisbon, starting in January. Passengers will still get a free hot or cold beverage and a small snack such as a biscuit or chips, but anything more will need to be purchased onboard or carried on.
KLM is less far along in its planning, and hasn’t set out a specific test, but says that it is considering “various concepts which make a wider range possible for a fee.” It’s likely, though, that it will follow the same drink plus snack pattern as Air France.
That’s also similar to how airlines in the Lufthansa group and British Airways and its affiliates operate. Potentially, the moves will help airline profits, either by reducing cost or by selling lots of paid-for meals.
