Air France to test charging for meals on some flights

Passengers on some Air France flights will no longer have access to a free meal when flying, as the airline experiments with a ‘buy on board’ catering service. 

The airline will trial the service in response to a shift in market trends, as it seeks to maintain its competitiveness in the packed aviation sector.

Beginning from January 2025, two Air France routes – both from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Lisbon and Helsinki – will not offer complimentary meals to economy class passengers.

They will still be offered a free hot drink and a small accompanying treat, such as a biscuit, but all other food including sandwiches, pastries, and hot meals, will be à la carte and paid for separately once on board. 

It will be optional to purchase a meal.

Passengers flying business class will still benefit from a complimentary meal on board these flights.

Charging policy may be extended

The airline is following the trend of many other companies, particularly low-cost carriers, who do not offer complimentary meals. 

Not providing the meals allows the airline to drop ticket prices, without impacting other areas of the flight, such as leg room (by installing extra seats).

The two flights where the service is being trialled are between 2 hours 30 minutes and 3 hours in length, meaning passengers may not feel the need to eat during this time. 

“Air France is constantly studying opportunities to develop its offer, in order to best meet its customers‘ expectations, in line with market trends,” a spokesperson for the airline told French media Le Figaro. 

The company will decide after the trial is over whether to implement the policy more widely on short and medium haul flights.

It is currently unknown how expensive items will be on the menu.

Read more: Paris-Pau low-cost air route ending due to lack of passengers