Air France has been improving nicely in recent times, investing in the passenger experience, especially in premium cabins. However, it appears that the airline is at least considering some service cuts on short haul flights, as the details of an upcoming trial have been revealed.
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Air France considers food & drinks for purchase in economy
The union representing Air France flight attendants has published the details of an upcoming trial that the SkyTeam carrier will be running, to examine service changes in short haul economy. The test will take place in April through June of 2025, on two routes, between Paris (CDG) and both Helsinki (HEL) and Lisbon (LIS).
During the trial, passengers will receive complimentary coffee or tea, orange juice, or Coke, and will be offered a biscuit (either savory or sweet, depending on the time of day). Passengers will then have the option of purchasing other drinks and food at a cost. On these test flights, ground crews will load special menus into seat backs before the flight, indicating the items available for purchase.
All purchases must be made with a card (and not cash), and flight attendants will get a 10% commission on sales. Flight attendant union representatives who were consulted voted 86% in favor of this initiative.
During the trial, service times will be closely measured, to determine how this modified service impacts speeds. As you can tell, the test routes are among the longer intra-Europe routes, so that crews will have plenty of time to perform these tests.
As it currently stands, all service in Air France economy is complimentary. This includes a cookie on flights of under 2.5 hours, and a fresh sandwich on flights of over 2.5 hours. A variety of drinks, including alcohol, are also offered on a complimentary basis.
My take on Air France’s economy service trial
Of course I don’t like to see airlines reducing service that’s included with ticket prices, though admittedly this is only a limited time trial as of now, so we’ll see what comes of this. To Air France’s credit, the airline is in a completely league than its two biggest rivals when it comes to economy service levels on these flights.
As it stands, British Airways offers short haul economy passengers free water and a small snack, while Lufthansa offers short haul economy passengers free water.
So even if Air France were to implement these changes, the airline would still be in a totally different league than British Airways and Lufthansa. Essentially, the proposed changes would put short haul service in line with what you get in economy on flights within the United States on legacy carriers, where you get non-alcoholic drinks and a small snack.
Would I like to see Air France make these changes? From a passenger experience standpoint, no. Do I understand why Air France is at least performing a trial here, when the airline is offering wine and sandwiches in economy, while competitors are offering just water? Yes, I do.
While I don’t think anyone likes anything being taken away, some people may appreciate the option to purchase a larger variety of fresh food options, which wouldn’t otherwise be available.
In recent times, Lufthansa has been considering restoring more complimentary service in short haul economy, though the CEO isn’t sure the airline can afford that.
Bottom line
This spring, Air France will be running a trial with a modified service in short haul economy. Rather than offering complimentary snacks and drinks (including alcohol), the airline will offer complimentary non-alcoholic drinks and a light snack, plus the option to purchase a variety of food and drinks.
It remains to be seen whether this trial leads to widespread changes or not. One thing is for sure — even if these changes were made, Air France would still have a much more impressive short haul offering than British Airways or Lufthansa.
What do you make of Air France’s buy on board service trial?
I don't really understand why it is a service cut. On short/medium haul economy, nowadays, you just have a drink and a small cookie/sandwich. and that's it. This will still be available for free. Having the possibility to buy something else is an improvement (as it's better than nothing).
If this applies to business class, yes, it would be a service cut. But speaking of economy, am I missing something?
Yes. You're missing that sandwich and most drinks will be enhanced away. Instead of a (really good) sandwich and a glass of wine, you'll get water and cookie. That is a service cut. Not to mention losing those lovely interactions with crew, AF staff is among the most hospitable in the European sky, now they're being turned into sales people.
At the end of the day, it would mean the end of the mini insipid vegetarian sandwitch you get in economy I always decline... While leaving the rest and enabling the possibility to BoB something nice. Love it!
This was announced a while ago and was supposed to launch on 11 February. The news is actually that it's being postponed until April.
Let's hope the trial is a failure and the current service will remain. I pay extra to fly AFKL among other things because they don't have BOB and crews still have the attitude of hospitality rather than being salespeople. If they drop to the level of Lufthansa, I might as well...
This was announced a while ago and was supposed to launch on 11 February. The news is actually that it's being postponed until April.
Let's hope the trial is a failure and the current service will remain. I pay extra to fly AFKL among other things because they don't have BOB and crews still have the attitude of hospitality rather than being salespeople. If they drop to the level of Lufthansa, I might as well fly Lufthansa which is usually cheaper and more direct (since I live at one of their hubs).
To be honest, in economy on European flights, it isn’t an issue to most. I still bring my own snack on some flights and can manage without eating for 2-3 hours. Business class is unaffected. They will still serve water, which many airlines don’t even do gratis.
I'm not concerned about lack of free food (although AF sandwiches are phenomenal and I'd miss them), I'm concerned about the overall change of the on board experience. BOB takes attention away from hospitality to selling stuff (especially if it's true that CC will earn 10% comission). AFKL flights are very relaxed and that's what I pay extra for.
Water is currently free on all of the big 3 airlines. AF's trial concept will include...
I'm not concerned about lack of free food (although AF sandwiches are phenomenal and I'd miss them), I'm concerned about the overall change of the on board experience. BOB takes attention away from hospitality to selling stuff (especially if it's true that CC will earn 10% comission). AFKL flights are very relaxed and that's what I pay extra for.
Water is currently free on all of the big 3 airlines. AF's trial concept will include select other soft drinks. But BOB is still a massive downgrade.
No free drinks for elites in extra-legroom seats?
Business class. Extra legroom is still economy
Still better than LH …
I'm booked to fly af in economy in March and was actually surprised to see that they would offer way more than what competitors are offering... Thinking.. How does that make sense and how long till it will be cut.
Typical SkyTeam behavior, going cheap
The main European airlines in the other alliances are even “cheap”er.
SkyTeam has a lot of fairly rubbish carriers, but not universally. AF (and KLM to an extent) are decent, as is China Airlines and Delta (by US standards at the very least).
You mean introducing a service that is still way above LHG (*A) and IAG (OW)? While SkyTeam is a terrible alliance, AFKL is the best of the big 3 airlines in Europe.
Perhaps I'm an AF stan but I don't think this is really too much of a hit. Morning flights with AF are already coffee tea and water only and a small snack. The sandwiches are mid at best and terrible at worst. The cookies are good for most flights and if I actually was hungry I would prefer to have a substantial sandwich than the half sandwich they offer (the nutrition info is on the packaging they are usually less than 250 calories).
What, are they also gonna excuse this on "green initiative"?
Major airlines charging a premium fares, offering an LCC service.
And it's okay because it's green.
We're living in the days where a scam is legalized.
Economy in Europe is competing with LCC. Yield is generally very low and many routes not really profitable. If a passenger flies eg Frankfurt Paris New York, when prorated the sector from FRA to CDG maybe as low as €10.
When the passengers are searching for fares within Europe they are usually looking for the best deal and if they buy a ticket Paris Milan Paris for €80 taking into account all costs for...
Economy in Europe is competing with LCC. Yield is generally very low and many routes not really profitable. If a passenger flies eg Frankfurt Paris New York, when prorated the sector from FRA to CDG maybe as low as €10.
When the passengers are searching for fares within Europe they are usually looking for the best deal and if they buy a ticket Paris Milan Paris for €80 taking into account all costs for fuel and so forth, the airline is making around €5-10 and you expect to get a meal ? In fact the majority don’t.
Customers in business class , especially those connecting onto longhauls in business or la premiere, are bringing in far more revenue.
This is only a test on two routes for a couple of months. As far as I’m aware other carriers that have BOB didn’t even bother to do this and just suspended the full service from a certain date.
Problem is that Air France will never be cheaper than LCC. I currently pay extra to fly with them because of a much better on board experience - not because of the free food (though their sandwiches are fantastic), but because it's much more relaxed and pleasant. Lack of BOB is a big part of that.
Of course, AFKL can go on to become a new Ryanair but then I won't pay 3 times the Ryanair fare to fly with them.