Due to an ongoing operational breakdown at the airline’s catering contractor, thousands of British Airways passengers will be left without in-flight meals or beverages on Thursday.
British Airways informed impacted passengers via email that some aircraft wouldn’t be loaded with any food or drink due to an “unforeseen issue” at its catering provider. The carrier has long-standing employee shortages, IT issues, and now catering constraints.
A similar statement was made earlier this week by a British Airways official without any mention of the real reason for the problem or a timetable for its resolution.
The luxury Austrian catering business DO&CO handles all of British Airways’ in-flight culinary needs. Passengers have praised the airline’s decision to switch to DO&CO after its long-standing collaboration with Gate Gourmet came to an end in late 2019.
British Airways resumed pre-pandemic service in its long-haul Club World Business Class cabin at the end of last month, and although a spokesperson claims the transition has gone without a problem, complaints of culinary problems quickly surfaced.
The shortest domestic and international flights operated by BA will not receive any catering whatsoever on Thursday, and some lengthier international flights will also take off without any food being loaded.
Fortunately, the airline reports that Thursday’s interruption did not affect long-haul flights. Affected passengers will be given refreshment vouchers to use at the airport before boarding their aircraft.
