British Airways Cuts Club Europe Hot Breakfast on Key Short-Haul Routes

British Airways has officially rolled out a controversial new catering policy in its Club Europe short-haul business class cabin, removing hot breakfasts on several of its busiest routes from London Heathrow. Frequent flyers have criticised the move as yet another incremental downgrade to the premium experience, with some describing it as “death by a thousand cuts.”

The change took effect midweek and applies primarily to British Airways’ shortest, highest-frequency services, many of which cater to regular business travellers. Until now, passengers on early morning departures could expect a choice of hot breakfast options, including the airline’s long-standing Full English breakfast. That offering has now been eliminated on select routes and replaced with a standardised cold tray.

According to internal catering documentation reviewed by industry sources, the revised Club Europe breakfast consists of a fresh fruit plate, a yoghurt-based “Raspberry Super Bowl,” and a single warmed pastry, such as a croissant, pain au chocolat, or pain au raisin. No hot plated options are available, and the same tray is served regardless of flight length or destination within the affected group.

The cuts apply to what British Airways internally classifies as “Express” routes, covering some of the carrier’s most commercially important short-haul markets. These sectors are typically under 90 minutes in duration but have historically offered a differentiated product to justify Club Europe fares.

Domestic services impacted include: Belfast City, Jersey, Manchester, and Newcastle.
International routes affected are: Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin, and Paris Charles de Gaulle.

British Airways has not publicly detailed the financial savings associated with the move, but the decision aligns with broader cost-containment measures across the airline’s short-haul operation. Catering simplification reduces complexity, loading time, and supplier costs, particularly on routes with multiple daily rotations. However, the backlash highlights the tension between operational efficiency and perceived value in premium cabins.

For frequent flyers, the issue is less about the breakfast itself and more about consistency and brand promise. Club Europe has already faced criticism in recent years for tight seat pitch, blocked middle seats rather than dedicated business-class cabins, and uneven service standards compared with European competitors. The removal of hot meals on flagship business routes risks further eroding the product’s premium positioning.

While British Airways continues to invest heavily in long-haul cabins and lounges, the Club Europe changes underscore an ongoing recalibration of what “business class” means on short-haul flights. For now, passengers on these high-frequency routes will need to adjust expectations, or bring their own version of a Full English to Heathrow.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, aeroxplorer.com