What Type Of On-board Meal Service Should I Expect On European Flights?

The type of in-flight catering you should expect in economy class on European routes really depends on the airline you are flying. If you are on a low-cost, discount carrier, you should generally not expect to be served any complimentary meals and snacks. In most cases, however, cabin crew will offer beverages and light snacks for sale during the flight.

The only discount airline in Europe to offer free meals is the German-owned Air Berlin. Flight attendants on Air Berlin will offer a complimentary sandwich and a non-alcoholic beverage to passengers on all short-haul European routes.

In the case of full-service airlines, passengers in economy class will usually be offered a complimentary snack or meal, but this will depend on the specific airline,  the route and the time of day. As a general rule, most airlines in Europe offer sandwiches, along with a selection of soft drinks and--in most cases--free alcoholic beverages as well. While few airlines will offer hot meals on short-haul European routes, British Airways does offer a full English breakfast on all domestic and international flights during the early morning hours.

For short, regional flights where the flying time is less than one hour, many airlines will simply offer a drink and a light snack. For example, on Tyrolean Airlines flights between Vienna and Budapest, which take only about 45 minutes, passengers will normally receive a small bottle of spring water and some candies or chocolates.