Thomson scraps free in-flight meals

Tuesday, 30 Apr, 2002 0

Thomson Holidays’ customers will have to pay for all airline meals from next summer, the company announced yesterday.

Hot meals will cost £10 return, children’s meals will cost £5 return. There will also be snacks on board for passengers to purchase.

At the launch of its 2003 brochures yesterday, Thomson Holidays md Chris Mottershead denied that the operator is going down the same road as low-cost airlines, which charge for food on board their planes. He said: “It’s not about taking meals off the airline, it’s about giving a choice of food on the flight.”

The new approach reflects the company’s belief that there is a consumer trend for a more flexible way to buy holidays. Mr Mottershead explained that flexibility and choice is the key behind Thomson’s new range of holidays for summer 2003, where travellers will be able to personalise their holiday, from choosing what to eat on board, where they sit on the aircraft, how to get to and from the hotel or apartment and what sort of room they have.

He said: “Shoppers today appreciate choice. You don’t just buy a coffee these days, you buy a latte, a cappuccino or an espresso. It’s the same with cars or new homes and we believe the same applies to holidays. People will customise the holiday to suit their needs and they won’t have to pay for anything they won’t use.

“We’re bringing the package holiday up to date by offering a new level of service which means holidays can be tailored to suit the individual holidaymaker. The essence of a package is that it’s the best value for money, the most convenient way to organise your holiday and every package is backed by a raft of consumer protection, from health and safety to financial bonding. Only package holidays offer this level of service.”

Other options for personalising the flight include pre-bookable seats to ensure holidaymakers sit together, extra legroom seats, premium seats on selected flights, increased baggage allowance or VIP lounges at the airport.

A choice of coach transfer, private taxi or car hire will be offered to people at the time of booking. Coach transfers cost either £5 or £10 per person return. Taxi transfers are available from £25 per taxi return.

Mr Mottershead claimed that 2003 summer package prices will be lower than if the meals and special airport transfers had remained part of the basic price.