The best advice is to always check what is included before finalising the booking
With the rise of budget airlines and no-frills fares, it can be confusing to figure out who still offers free food on board (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
When you are on a long haul flight and you’ve got a few hours to kill in the air, it is actually pretty comforting to get a hot meal (especially if it’s included in the ticket price).
But with the rise of budget airlines and no-frills fares, it can be confusing to figure out who still offers free food on board included in the ticket price and which airlines might charge you a small fortune for a cheese sandwich if you are choosing to buy on board.
So with that in mind, we thought we’d break down exactly which airlines will still give you free meals, especially if you’re flying from the UK. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What’s On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here.
Long-haul flights
Most full-service airlines do still include meals and drinks on long-haul routes. Think flights to the US, Asia, or the Caribbean.
British Airways: Even on the cheapest economy fare, you can get complimentary meals, snacks, and drinks.Virgin Atlantic: Offers free meals and drinks, and they’re known for a decent veggie option.Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines: All offer full meal service in economy, and it’s usually good quality. You’ll get at least two meals plus snacks and unlimited drinks.Turkish Airlines: Generally provides free meals on their international flights, including both economy and business class. On longer flights, passengers are typically offered a choice of main courses, side dishes, bread, and dessert. Drinks are also complimentary on all flights.Air France: On long-haul flights, an extensive selection of meals is offered, including hot dishes, and passengers can also purchase a la carte meals in advance.American Airlines: Meals and drinks are typically included on international flights, including wine and beerUnited: United Airlines offers complimentary food on most flights, especially on longer distances and for higher class tickets.Air Canada: Generally offers complimentary meals and snacks on international flights. On flights longer than 2 hours, you’ll typically receive a complimentary meal and beverage service, including salad, warm bread, a hot entrée, and dessert.Tui: On long-haul flights (seven hours or more), a complimentary meal is included. Additional drinks and snacks can still be purchased on these flights as wellLufthansa: Lufthansa generally provides complimentary meals and drinks on long-haul flightsKLM: Provides complimentary meals and drinks on most of its flights. The specific offerings vary depending on the flight duration and class of travel, but generally include snacks and drinks on shorter flights and more substantial meals on longer routes.Short-haul flights in Europe
Most short-haul flights don’t include free food, especially if you’re flying budget. The best advice is to always check what is included before finalising the booking.
However, most of them allow you to buy food while on board:
Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2: No free meals. You can buy snacks and hot food on board.Wizz Air: No free meals, but you can buy meals and drinks separately on board.British Airways (short-haul): No free meals. You can buy snacks and drinks from the Speedbird Café.Lufthansa: For short and medium-haul flights within Europe, they offer a paid “Onboard Delights” service where passengers can purchase food and drinks.KLM: Serves a snack and drink on all flights within Europe, and a fresh sandwich is also offered on longer European flights.Air France: Offers free food on many of its flights. While a “buy on board” system is being tested on some routes, most flights still provide complimentary meals, snacks, and beverages, depending on the flight duration and class. Passengers on short and medium-haul flights can expect a free sandwich, pastry, or snack, along with a drink.Tui: On short and mid-haul flights (less than seven hours), a variety of hot and cold snacks and drinks are available for purchase from the onboard café.