Passengers flying with KLM inside Europe will soon need to pay for items like beer, wine, soft drinks, and meals as the airline transitions to a new paid catering model in October.
The move also marks the end of the traditional complimentary cheese sandwich served on flights connecting Amsterdam to other European destinations.
Changes to complimentary service
Under the new Grand Café KLM concept, free options will be reduced to basic items. Passengers on short-haul flights will still receive complimentary coffee, tea, water, orange juice, and a stroopwafel, while those on the shortest routes will be offered only water and a stroopwafel.
Travellers will instead be able to buy snacks and drinks from an in-flight menu or pre-order food ahead of their flight.
Proposed items on the new menu include salmon wraps, croque-monsieurs, yogurt, Caesar salads, poke bowls, and pancakes, though final choices and prices have not yet been announced.
Broader cabin updates
The transition comes after the airline sold a 75 percent stake in its catering division to Swiss firm Gategroup earlier this year in an effort to cut operating expenses.
The shift follows other recent cost-saving measures, such as introducing lower basic fares on select European routes that exclude standard overhead hand luggage.
KLM states that the shift to paid food service is intended to offer customers greater choice while it invests in other areas of the flight experience, including rolling out free Wi-Fi for Flying Blue members and adding USB ports to newer aircraft seats.
