British Airways is back at it with cost-cutting in Club Europe, this time eliminating hot breakfast from the menu on domestic flights. Passengers traveling in business class on routes within the UK will now find a far less impressive spread awaiting them onboard as BA “trials” a new reduced menu.

British Airways Cuts Hot Breakfast In Domestic Business Class

According to reports on Flyertalk, British Airways has replaced its hot breakfast service (typically an English breakfast or omelet) on domestic flights with a cold alternative: a small fruit plate, yogurt, and a pain au chocolat. The move is apparently linked to British Airways offering larger business class cabins on these flights, with concerns that there is not sufficient time to offer a full hot meal. But not everyone has time to eat in the lounge before boarding, and for many travelers, a hearty breakfast may be their only meal for several hours.

A Sad Step Backward

I find this particularly galling because, as late as 2017, British Airways offered hot breakfasts to all passengers onboard domestic flights (so much for the “not enough time” argument…). It was a beautiful signature touch that set BA apart from its competitors and created loyalty among frequent flyers. I wrote about the end of that era here.

> Read More: The Death Of The English Breakfast On British Airways Domestic Flights.

Now, not even business class passengers are afforded this meal option. Instead, they are left with what is essentially a light snack. This is not progress; it is regression. Then again, with the exception of Austrian Airlines, it’s not like you’ll receive a hot breakfast on other carriers as well…but it was something that set it apart.

Not A Supply Chain Issue

Recently, I covered the cutbacks to British Airways’ afternoon tea service, where clotted cream and chamomile tea disappeared, with some saying that it was a temporary measure to address supply-chain issues. At least there was some attempt at justification. But removing a hot breakfast option entirely? This cannot reasonably be explained away as a supply chain issue. It looks instead like simple penny pinching. Sorry, there’s time to serve this meal.

CONCLUSION

Hot breakfasts were once a hallmark of British Airways, something passengers genuinely looked forward to, including me. Eliminating them in business class on domestic flights is a serious downgrade and one that leaves BA looking cheap rather than premium. If British Airways wants to charge a premium for its product, it must make a better effort to offer a premium product.

These cutbacks are apparently on a trial basis. If you’ve experienced them and miss your proper English breakfast, do let British Airways know that you want your hot breakfast back.