British Airways is revamping its short-haul economy Speedbird Cafe menu with some treats leaving the menu and others joining from July and August. The changes come just over six months after the airline introduced its new catering proposition on short-haul flights.

What’s in and what’s out

As part of the shake-up, some dishes will be leaving the menu. These are the:

• Jose Pizarro Tapas Box
• Jose Pizarro Veggie Tapas Box
• Tom Kerridge The Brie Ploughman’s Sandwich
• Tom Kerridge Chicken, Bacon and Celery Brioche Crunch
• Tom Kerridge Vegan Spiced Cauliflower and Chickpea Wrap

However, plenty of new additions will be added. From July customers will be able to order:

• Toast Session IPA 330ml
• PLAYin CHOC Dinosaur ToyChoc Box
• Scrapples Apple & Mango Crisps 12g
• Pullin’s Triple Chocolate Muffin 110g
• MOTH Margarita 125ml
• Bacardi Mojito 250ml
• Ploughman’s Meat Snack Box
• Ploughman’s Veggie Snack Box
• La Baume Grande Olivette Grenache Cinsault Rosé 187ml

And from the 11th August these will be joined by:

• Tom Kerridge Mediterranean Chickpea Flatbread
• Tom Kerridge West Country Cheddar Ploughman`s Sandwich
• Tom Kerridge Chicken, Bacon, Celery Brioche Sandwich

The changes come six months after Britain’s flag carrier overhauled its approach to onboard food on short-haul flights.

How British Airways changed its onboard options

Late last year, British Airways revealed that its short-haul catering partnership with Marks and Spencer would end. The airline had already reduced its catering service to a water bottle and a snack on relevant flights due to COVID-19, and the M&S contract had reached its natural end. At the time, there was speculation that Greggs or Waitrose would step in to fill the gap, but instead, the new catering partner was revealed to be with Tom Kerridge.

The new menu was developed in collaboration with Tom Kerridge, a British chef with three Michelin stars. Kerridge created a range of new gourmet items to be sold onboard British Airways' short-haul flights in the economy cabin. The new offering was branded as Speedbird Cafe.

Buy before you fly is the new buy onboard at British Airways. The airline's previous model saw each flight being catered, with limited food sold on a first-come-first-served basis. This could mean that those at the back of the cabin could miss out on food if the front of the plane were particularly hungry.

British Airways replaced buy onboard with buy before you fly. Customers can now prepurchase food up to 12 hours before their flight at the airline's online HighLife shop. The model means that, in theory, those at the back of the plane don't go hungry. It also helps the airline to reduce onboard waste, as there is less excess food.

During the pandemic, British Airways replaced buy onboard with free water and a small snack for everybody. The airline has opted to keep providing these alongside the new menu, meaning all passengers will be able to at least enjoy a small snack and bottle of water as part of their ticket price.