British Airways delays date for ending free food and drink on short-haul flights in VICTORY for father-of-three who lodged a legal challenge
Family had lodged claim for compensation in small claims court after booking flights two weeks before airline announced change in policy
BRITISH Airways have delayed the date on which they plan to stop offering free food and drink to customers on short-haul flights after being threatened with legal action.
The controversial change was due to take place in August but has been put back to September or October following a legal challenge by a father-of-three who planned to take his family to Spain.
He had made the booking before BA announced their shift in policy and lodged a claim for compensation in small claims court.
John Barber spent £2,000 on eight tickets for himself, his wife Claire, their three children, and members of their extended family last September to fly from City Airport to Majorca this coming August.
The tickets were booked two weeks before BA announced the changes and Mr Barber felt it was unfair that the company were not going to be providing the service that he paid for, reported the .
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Consumer groups said that Mr Barber's claim was likely to have been successful and could have paved the way for thousands of others to make similar claims. prompting the delay from BA.
The family made the same trip with BA last year and were given a bottle of water, a small bottle of wine or soft drink, a sandwich, and crisps for free.
Mr Barber calculated that the equivalent would have cost him £156.80 if he purchased the same items from the new Marks & Spencer menu and lodged a claim for £316.80 that included his added costs.
The 40-year-old from Peterborough said: "I suspect the only reason they changed the cut-off date is because they did not want to go through a court case and open the door to lots of other claims. However, that doesn’t mean they are in the clear.
"We also need BA to make absolutely clear to everyone...exactly when this change is going to come into effect."
A spokesman for BA would not give a reason for the delay but said: "We now offer a range of M&S sandwiches and salads for under £5, and snacks from £1. Customers say they prefer the new selection."
The airline may also scrap free food on long-haul flights just months after facing a backlash for charging for meals on short-haul trips.
Airline boss Alex Cruz announced it was considering the move despite a furious backlash from short-haul passengers, who are already forking out for their supper.
Speaking to the , Mr Cruz said: "It’s going great. Customers say to us ‘finally, I have good choices. No more chicken or beef’.”
Asked if the paid for option would be considered for economy seats on long-haul flights, he said: “We might do it."
In January frustrated short haul passengers said they were hungry as the flagship airline struggled to serve an entire flight with food and drink.
Some passengers even said they would question booking with the airline again with one man saying: "It just seems to me that they have gone from being a good carrier to a very bad budget airline".
In a statement issued after Mr Cruz's interview BA said: "We have no plans currently for a buy-on-board economy product on long-haul, but if that is what interests customers of the future, we will listen."
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