Isn’t British Airways’ Club Kitchen sad compared to what American Airlines offer?

The British Airways Club Kitchen is where business class passengers travelling in Club World can get a snack in between meal services. It is a shadow of its former self, and is far below what American Airlines currently offer.

Those flying AA are treated to a much more elevated experience, which is great to see. It’s a wonder how things can be so vastly different on two airlines who have a transatlantic joint venture together.

Club Kitchen

Flying transatlantic from New York JFK to London Heathrow recently, I checked out the Club Kitchen for a mid-flight snack. You can see the meagre offering below.

You can have crisps, juice, water and some Lindt chocolates. That’s it, definitely nothing particularly healthy or even very premium for that matter.

American Airlines

On the other hand, you could fly American Airlines, where there are an array of interesting treats to be had. There are rolls, sandwiches, wraps and lots of little salads.

You can elect to be healthy or you can treat yourself, as they do also have crisps. The offering is well presented, tasty and offers a great deal more choice.

What Was It Like At BA In The Past?

Back in 2006, I wrote in a flight review that British Airways had a “Raid the Larder” concept, which eventually became the Club Kitchen. On that flight I had “three half sandwiches, a smoked salmon and soft cheese half bloomer, a turkey, dijonnaise and apricot half bap, and a chicken salad half bloomer.”

Flash forward 11 years to 2017, and the Club Kitchen on the Airbus A380 was as above, as I wrote in another report. Plenty of options there, including sandwiches.

Overall Thoughts

I wonder what happened to the British Airways Club Kitchen? Is it straight cost cutting? Was there a lot of food waste as nobody was eating the food laid out? It’s a bit of a mystery.

Those who like to snack mid-flight in business class are best sticking with BA’s oneworld partner, American Airlines. They at least seem to realise people pay a lot of money to fly up front and provide an offering accordingly.

What do you think of the British Airways Club Kitchen? Do you know why it’s been reduced so much? Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.

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