• Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
Live and Let's Fly
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
Home » British Airways » What Passes For A Business Class Meal On British Airways…
British Airways

What Passes For A Business Class Meal On British Airways…

Matthew Klint Posted onOctober 20, 2020November 14, 2023 38 Comments

a woman serving a salad to another woman

People are of two minds when it comes to in-flight meals during the pandemic era. Some are happy to see cutbacks, concluding that meal service and the interaction it requires increases the risk of virus transmission. Others see meal service cutbacks as a not-so-hidden opportunity for airlines to slash costs, noting that the same interaction is required whether serving a hot meal or sandwich. Perhaps this frustration is best illustrated in what passes for a business class meal these days on British Airways.

The Sorry Sandwich On British Airways

British Airways was quick to cut meal service as the pandemic spread through Europe in March. For a time, it was sandwiches only. In June, it upped its game (relatively speaking of course) by offering boxed meals instead of simply sandwiches. Now you can expect the same sandwich plus a small side.

Indeed, sandwiches remain a staple in business class and even in first class…and many are not happy about them.

@alex_cruz @British_Airways we all know about Covid and certain restrictions but if you charge for business class ticket same as before lockdown do you really think that this can be acceptable to serve as a bussiness class meal?!! pic.twitter.com/dVbPHf0RUk

— lapislon (@lapislon) September 18, 2020

Looks…lovely.

Or this one:

This is what @British_Airways think is acceptable to serve their business class passengers on a 2 hour flight in business class….told it was coronation chicken but then told they’d made a mistake and it was chicken Caesar….. with tomato?!? #avgeek #flyertalk #britishairways pic.twitter.com/EjhkT4LFkP

— Stewart (@cunning_chops) September 25, 2020

Or this one:

The lunch served on the @British_Airways business class flights these days is truly a thing to marvel at. 2 slices of white kingsmill, decent wedge of pilgrims choice and some branston pickle 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/t6rfPzakfT

— Joe (@Joetenderloin) September 27, 2020

Wow…

CONCLUSION

You still get a larger seat or more legroom by flying a premium cabin, but don’t expect much in terms of the meal, especially on flights with Europe. British Airways calls this a “temporary catering proposition” but has given no indication of just how temporary.

I’ve got BA flights coming up…I look forward to reporting back!

Have you tried a British Airways sandwich lately?


image: British Airways

Get Daily Updates

Join our mailing list for a daily summary of posts! We never sell your info.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Previous Article United Airlines Increases Cost Of Nonstop Partner Award Flights
Next Article Should A Muslim Flight Attendant Be Exempt From Serving Alcohol?

About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

Related Posts

  • a bowl of food with a fork and a wooden spoon

    Delicious Superfood On British Airways

    June 5, 2025
  • a seat and a television in an airplane

    “He Was Dancing Naked In Business Class!” British Airways Flight Attendant Has Cocaine Meltdown

    June 2, 2025
  • a large lobby with a wall and a mural on the wall

    No Five Star Service For You: American Airlines Snubs British Airways Flights At JFK

    May 20, 2025

38 Comments

  1. Robert Darby Reply
    October 20, 2020 at 6:56 am

    Whilst I am not a fan of the current catering and believe BA could do better your choice of photos is misleading. The first photo shows club world whilst the rest are club Europe. Any photos of current club world catering?

  2. Mitch Cumstein Reply
    October 20, 2020 at 7:08 am

    Leave it to the Bits to complain about this. I’ve been on 4 hour flights here where a bag of Cheez-its is the only food. They don’t know how good they have it.

    • Jim Reply
      October 20, 2020 at 5:51 pm

      I think the difference is that the selling point of European business class is the food since the seat is identical to coach.

  3. Mitch Cumstein Reply
    October 20, 2020 at 7:08 am

    Brits

    • Samuel smith Reply
      October 20, 2020 at 3:46 pm

      I flew club world last week
      Service was disgraceful
      They offered drinks twice.

      We were the only people in the cabin and I would have expected better attention.

      I was unable to order my special meal.
      Lounge was closed.

      Why should covid change these if not a budget cut

  4. Paolo Reply
    October 20, 2020 at 8:35 am

    I’m not sure it’s necessary to offer anything in these times. But if people need to eat something then it’s a simple matter to pick up something in the terminals: for under £5 you can get a far nicer sandwich from Pret a Manger or other outlets in close proximity…

    • Dukkkman Reply
      October 21, 2020 at 12:03 am

      Rubbish food for a premium price. Thank you for informing travellers

  5. UAPremierGuy Reply
    October 20, 2020 at 9:16 am

    Or, you could fly Austrian where I still received a delicious, full trayed meal on my 1 hour flight between Vienna and Belgrade earlier this month along with hot coffee and several glasses of wine all on real china. I’m happy to share a picture of that if so desired.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      October 20, 2020 at 11:00 am

      Please do. This is my concern. The Lufthansa Group can still manage proper service without a super spreading event. Meanwhile British Airways and Turkish Airlines hide behind the flimsy “safety” excuse to cut catering costs.

      • Rick Reply
        October 20, 2020 at 6:54 pm

        So true. I am taking Turkish longhaul in business on Friday. Only taking them as I have a credit, but with this fiasco will actually avoid them in the future. Happy to send you a few pics of their boxed meals if you think it would be helpful, and the attendants don’t yell at me for taking pictures of my own meal. As someone with an aversion to mayonnaise (which is not uncommon, but it still seems to be slathered on almost every airline sandwich), I have a feeling I will be eating junk food from the terminal. I don’t mind a crap meal service with lower prices or at least a modified less extravagant one, but cold boxed meals are shocking in a premium cabin on a long flight with pre-Covid prices, and many other airlines have kept at least a decent meal service.

        • rollie fingers Reply
          October 20, 2020 at 7:00 pm

          I did ORD-IST last month in J and no mayo in the box. there was a chicken wrap, 2 mezzes and a caprese salad. The pita for the mezze was inedible so bring pita and hot sauce. the FAs refused to walk through the cabin after the meal so be prepared to go to the galley for drinks.

          BA coming back was just about as terrible but at least they walked through the cabin occasionally offering drinks and the J seats on the 787-1000 are really nice

    • David Reply
      October 20, 2020 at 11:32 am

      Sounds divine !

      • Rick Reply
        October 20, 2020 at 9:19 pm

        Thanks! At least I have some idea what to expect. Is wine available in the galley?

        • rollie fingers Reply
          October 21, 2020 at 4:13 pm

          yes, they actually give you a leaflet on drink choices and its 2 red, 2 white and 2 beers IIRC

          • Rick
            October 23, 2020 at 12:22 am

            ! At least I know if I won’t be enjoying gourmet meals, I can sleep:)

  6. Arthur Reply
    October 20, 2020 at 9:19 am

    This appears to be intra-Europe, where business class only got you a blocked middle seat, but a decent meal. Compared to intra-US where you get a much better seat and terrible food. With the reduction in food service in the pandemic, paying extra for intra-Europe business has little purpose.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      October 20, 2020 at 11:01 am

      Correct. Lounges have also scaled back offerings, if they are even open.

  7. John Luffred Reply
    October 20, 2020 at 11:24 am

    YOU FLY FOR TRANSPORTATIONM
    NOT A FINE DINING EXPERIENCE.
    ESPECIALLY DURING A PANDEMIC.
    UNBELIEVABLE!

    • Henry Reply
      October 20, 2020 at 11:55 am

      It’s exactly because of people like you, the author, that the pandemic is not brought under control . Entitled, selfish opinions with little regard to understand safety implications of contact, mixing clean and dirty catering items in space confined aircrafts. Travelling should be only for essential purposes, not for a luxurious experience. If sandwiches is your only complaint in life whilst people are still catching the virus, you should really have a chat with yourself what your priorities are.

      • Matthew Klint Reply
        October 20, 2020 at 12:03 pm

        What a foolish, arrogant, self-serving, and ignorant statement. The virus doesn’t spread through surface contact. It doesn’t spread through food. No one said reusable crockery had to be used. If a flight attendant is collecting trash in a bag wearing gloves, not handling it, s/he is not doing anything different no matter what food is served. Airlines continue to charge a massive premium for a premium product that is no longer premium. I will call them out on it.

        We need to find a way to co-exist with this virus. We will not defeat it absent permanent lockdown, which is a far worse prison sentence on any objective utilitarian ground.

        • Mitch Cumstein Reply
          October 20, 2020 at 12:20 pm

          Stay home. Stay safe. Save lives. Flatten the curve!

          • Matthew Klint
            October 20, 2020 at 1:07 pm

            Worked out so well for Europe, didn’t it? They, in a sense, did everything right, and now they try to get back to life/work and the second wave is surging and far worse than the first one. The curve can be flattened only with lockdown. That is not a viable long-term solution. It frankly never was once we learned the death rate was not nearly as bad as we first imagined. The key is to wear PPE, practice social distancing, wash your hands, and protect the vulnerable. If a vaccine comes, even better, but the vaccine won’t save the world.

        • Henry Reply
          October 20, 2020 at 12:33 pm

          And where do you think reusable crockery/ cutlery/ glassware is stowed on an aircraft? In normal times, dirty glassware / trays and put back into the same trolley as where the clean ones are stowed. Aircraft galleys simply do not have space for separate empty trolleys to be loaded so clean and dirty wares are separated. Are you willing to take that risk ? Even if you are, many won’t be. Your travel purpose should be essential now, not some jolly.

          • Matthew Klint
            October 20, 2020 at 1:03 pm

            You missed my point. I said you don’t need reusable crockery/ cutlery/ glassware in order to serve a decent meal, not a paper sandwich.

        • Leo Reply
          October 21, 2020 at 1:14 am

          Well said!!

    • Dukkkman Reply
      October 20, 2020 at 11:57 pm

      You sir, have no manners and no idea

  8. David Reply
    October 20, 2020 at 11:31 am

    This made me “LOL” having just flew Club to Malaga. I was so excited about the box I refused to open it on board (to the amusement of the cabin crew) and saved it for dinner when I arrived ! It was the most expensive picnic I’ve ever had – I’m glad I only paid £59 to upgrade !!

    • Henry Reply
      October 20, 2020 at 2:01 pm

      What I also don’t understand is, like you said, you want to call airlines out for charging premium prices and not delivering ‘premium product’- the product of which is determined by the service provider and it is up to the consumer whether they are willing to pay the price for it. BA website shows you what you will get- whether it’s under the covid FAQ section, or whether you look under travel classes. It has pictures of the sandwich boxes you will receive. When you make the decision to purchase a ticket- at the advertised price, for a product which you, as the consumer, has all the information on when making the purchase decision, then why the shock horror when you receive a product you had purchased ?

      • Matthew Klint Reply
        October 20, 2020 at 6:02 pm

        Don’t you see a difference between a nice sandwich (much like British Airways advertises), and the product that is delivered? A sandwich is one thing, but a sandwich like this? That’s the true bait and switch.

      • Henry Reply
        October 20, 2020 at 6:46 pm

        But your article alludes that hot meals should be served, and that as sandwiches remain a staple in business class ( if you look on the website First class actually receives a a la carte in a box type service ),passengers will not be happy with them. So me as the reader is reading that passengers are not happy about receiving a sandwich box rather than a hot meal, even though that is what they had paid for as the information on catering is clear on the BA website- so why the shock horror when the passenger receives a service they had knowingly bought? In fact the Chicken Caesar photo in your article doesn’t look too dissimilar to the filling in the advertised box on the BA website- professional product photography aside.

  9. Debsa Reply
    October 20, 2020 at 4:26 pm

    I flew Club World to the U.S. recently on BA. When I researched the catering, BA’s website said: hot meal and bar service. The ‘hot meal’ was a panini and the bar service was coffee, tea or water. I brought my own food.

    BA’s Business Class meal service was never that good, at the best of times. While I understand that cutting costs is imperative for their survival, it is disingenuous for BA to say that their catering downgrade is a safety issue.

    Now BA is threatening to expel Executive Club members who complain publicly via social media . This seems a draconian response to generally petty complaints and makes a mockery of their much touted To Fly To Serve ad campaign.

    • Henry Reply
      October 20, 2020 at 5:16 pm

      I’m looking at the BA website now and nowhere does it mention a hot meal. The long haul business food section just states that there is a bar service including alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks served as miniatures or quarter bottles, and followed by breakfast or all day meal. Adjacent to the description is a photo of the box meal you would receive. I’m not sure where you had seen the hot meal ?

      • Matthew Klint Reply
        October 20, 2020 at 5:16 pm

        I also looked and could not find anything.

  10. Christian Reply
    October 20, 2020 at 11:33 pm

    I’m not so sure about the larger seat and more legroom with BA. At least within Europe, which is what you seem to be covering.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      October 20, 2020 at 11:34 pm

      Technically yes, but that blocked middle seat makes all the difference in Club Europe. BA Y is worse than EasyJet and in Ryanair, depending upon the aircraft.

      • Leo Reply
        October 21, 2020 at 1:24 am

        Well said!

  11. Der Fliegende Amerikaner Reply
    October 21, 2020 at 5:01 am

    BA do indeed serve a hot meal in first class. Here’s a recent trip report with plenty of photos:

    https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports/2025719-good-bad-ugly-our-17-hour-day-ba.html

  12. cargocult Reply
    October 21, 2020 at 6:25 pm

    One thing I will say in BA’s favor regarding catering is that they still serve Champagne in Club Europe. UA doesn’t serve sparkling wine of any sort in Polaris, just single-serving swill normally served in coach.

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Search

Hot Deals for June

Note: Please see my Advertiser Disclosure

Capital One Venture X Business Card
Earn 150,000 Miles Sign Up Bonus
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Earn 100,000 Points
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Earn 75,000 Miles!
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Earn 75,000 Miles
Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Earn $750 Cash Back
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Earn 120,000 Membership Reward® Points

Recent Posts

  • Hampton Inn Largest Hotel Chain
    The Waffle That Conquered The World: How Hampton Inn Became The World’s Largest Hotel Chain June 18, 2025
  • United Airlines Father Son Pilot
    After 30 Years, United Pilot Gets His Dream First Officer June 17, 2025
  • Drunk Karen Delta
    Drunk Karen Refuses To Get Off Delta Flight, Forces Police To Clear Entire Plane June 17, 2025
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve
    Analysis: Chase Overhauls Sapphire Reserve With New Credits, Elite Perks, And Higher Fee June 17, 2025

Categories

Popular Posts

  • Qatar Airways Economy Class Breakfast
    Economy Class Breakfast On Qatar Airways June 7, 2025
  • Favorite Airline Commercials
    My 10 Favorite Airline Commercials June 15, 2025
  • Qantas Lounge Review Hong Kong
    Review: Qantas Lounge Hong Kong (HKG) June 14, 2025
  • Israel Flight Cancellations
    Major Carriers Extend Flight Cancellations To Israel: Here’s The List June 6, 2025

Archives

June 2025
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
30  
« May    

As seen on:

facebook twitter instagram rss
Privacy Policy © Live and Let's Fly All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Live and Let's Fly with appropriate and specific directions to the original content.