In this post:
More BA Club Europe meal changes
Hot on the heels of the previous breakfast changes to a set fruit/yoghurt/pastry meal for many short and domestic flights, now it appears from Flyertalk that BA have also made changes to the other meals for some routes. For people who dislike the afternoon tea, it may be an improvement. I’m not a big fan of the ploughman’s, so I am not pleased by the changes.
Here are the new meals:
- Band 0 and 1 routes will no longer have Afternoon Tea, but instead have Ploughman’s Tea between 14.00-16.59. This is for the shortest routes, such as Jersey, Paris, etc., but also as far as Bordeaux and Berlin.
- Band 3 routes will no longer have a Hot Meal, replaced with Ploughman’s Tea during the same period. Currently, you have a choice, but I’m guessing it will be this or a vegetarian version. It is not clear if the salad option will stay. This includes routes such as Madrid, Malaga, Budapest, and Reykjavík.
The one bit of positive news is that the very longest Club Europe flights will receive a second snack as part of the “Tea and Cake” pre-landing service.
What do you think of these changes? Would you be happy with just a Ploughman’s on an afternoon flight of +2 hours?
Earn 10,000 with JP Morgan from a £500 investment
The investment company JP Morgan has doubled its new client bonus to 10,000 Avios until 30 January 2026. To qualify, you need to invest a minimum of £500 in one payment by 30 January 2026. The Avios will be awarded within 55 days.
There are a number of products that qualify for the bonus:
- Stocks and Shares ISA
- Junior ISA;
- Lifetime ISA
- Personal Pension; or
- General investment account
Unfortunately, you can’t transfer your ISA from an existing provider.
To get the bonus, you sign up using the form on this page and add your British Airways Club membership number. Then log in to your dashboard online or the app, and invest £500 or more in one payment by 30 January 2026
American Airlines introduces fast, free Wi-Fi
I have long predicted that airline Wi-Fi would become free, just as hotel Wi-Fi did over several years. This year, multiple airlines have announced both the adoption of Starlink and free Wi-Fi, although many require you to be a member of their frequent flyer scheme. Today’s announcement from American Airlines is welcome news, although it does not cover much of its long-haul fleet.
From this month, AAdvantage® members will enjoy free high-speed, satellite-based Wi-Fi across more than 2 million American Airlines flights a year, sponsored by AT&T.
“As American celebrates 100 years of delivering industry firsts, including the first loyalty program and first airport lounge, we’re setting the standard for connectivity in the skies,” said Heather Garboden, American’s Chief Customer Officer. “Free high-speed Wi-Fi isn’t just a perk — it’s essential for today’s travelers. That’s why we’re proud to begin rolling out this new offering, sponsored by AT&T, across the majority of our fleet. Once roll out is completed, every AAdvantage® member can stay connected, stream and share almost anywhere their journey takes them for free.”
The rollout will happen in phases. Starting in January, free high-speed Wi-Fi will begin rolling out across 100% of our narrowbody and dual-class regional fleets, and by early spring, it will be available on nearly every American Airlines flight.
To access the free Wi-Fi you simply log in using your AAdvantage® number and password, then select “Free Wi-Fi” to start browsing. There’s also a new portal designed for speed, reliability, and simplicity.
American’s new Boeing 787-9 and 787-8 aircraft will also feature free Wi-Fi. Once rollout is complete, American will offer free Wi-Fi on more aircraft than any other airline in the world.
I’m surprised that AA have not gone with Starlink, as this seems to be the industry standard of wi-fi that most travellers will be expecting as more and more airlines get on board with its super-fast speeds. Instead, their Wi-Fi will be powered by Viasat and Intelsat.
5 comments
I think they should start offering business class seats at a cheaper price if you opt out of not having food.
I often can’t eat the food already or half the items so just pointless, need to get used to flying economy and pre order exactly what I want to eat and drink instead! Use the Amex lounge access
BA are out and out the ‘gift that just keeps on giving’!!!
Unbelievable that they are serving a bit of cold bread and cheese on flights of up to approx 3 hours during the afternoon period. I won’t be parting with my cash for this. I will book another airline if convenient or Euro Traveller.
Who on earth is signing off these negative changes?
Why are they deliberately trying to sabotage their own service and reputation?
In my opinion they need urgently to get a small number of independent travel experts on their board to sense check these ideas before they run with them.
Their new strap line should be ‘TO FLY TO CUT’
I’m just about to do LHR-WAW in CE so let’s see what’s on offer. The 40 minute queue at check in wasn’t a very premium experience.
BA is going downhill fast! I am fed up with meal changes and what they think we would like to eat in Business and first class…often I can’t eat what is provided so often go without. Get rid of breakfast when we’ve already had that in the lounge, bring back a proper lunch and please also afternoon tea which was always a highlight for me. What are we paying for???!!!
Why can’t they organise themselves and allow us to choose our menu before we fly..less waste and happier customers