The active expansion of low-cost airlines in Europe has led to the fact that classic air carriers began to copy the concept of their low-cost competitors. This was also reflected in the meals, which many airlines made available for a fee in economy class.
However, was food on airplanes as ideal before? Or were stories about delicious and satisfying meals at an altitude of 10 kilometers 10 years ago nothing more than stories?
avianews.com has compiled a selection of free menus from various European airlines over the past decade.
In the photographs you can see that the economy class menu on flights around Europe consisted primarily of drinks and light snacks – snacks or sandwiches. Such meals were offered by both large European airlines like Lufthansa and regional airlines – Austrian Airlines, Belavia, AeroSvit and LOT.
In-flight meals in economy class on a Lufthansa flight Frankfurt-Kyiv in 2018. Photo: avianews.com Austrian Airlines food, 2012. Photo: avianews.com Belavia catering, 2016. Photo: avianews.com LOT food, 2012. Photo: avianews.com Aerosvit food, 2012. Photo: avianews.com
For quite a long time, hot meals on medium-haul international flights were offered as a free service in economy class by the Ukrainian airline UIA. Although the lunches were quite modest in size, in 2014 UIA abandoned them, making food chargeable.
UIA hot meals, 2010. Photo: avianews.com
10 years ago you could also eat delicious food on Czech Airlines flights, which treated passengers to hot meals.
Czech Airlines hot meals, 2012. Photo: avianews.com
Small airlines like the Ukrainian Windrose have tried to use food as an advantage when promoting new routes. For example, in 2010, this airline expanded its regular network, and economy class passengers even on short flights received set meals. However, such a service did not help attract more clients, and “Rose of the Winds” left regular destinations for many years in the charter flight segment.
Hot meals “Wind Rose”, 2010. Photo: avianews.com
In 2023, no free meals will be standard in economy class on European routes. The maximum that passengers can expect is a glass of water, and many air carriers now provide this for a fee.
2023-10-14 14:03:03
#European #airlines #fed #passengers #food #charge
