Air France has become the third European airline to announce it will begin charging for in-flight meals on short- and medium-haul flights. Economy-class Air France passengers on intercontinental flights in Europe will be required to pay for in-flight meal service starting in 2025.

“Air France is constantly studying opportunities to develop its offer, in order to meet customer expectations as effectively as possible, in line with market trends,” an airline spokesperson told USA TODAY in an email statement.

Next year, economy-class customers will have access to the airline’s Buy on Board option, which charges for items like sandwiches. A cookie or salty snack and beverage will remain free. The planned trial will soon go into effect on flights between Paris (CDG) and Helsinki (HEL) or Lisbon (LIS).

Currently, economy passengers on flights more than 2.5 hours enjoy a sandwich and cookie, as well as a wide range of beverages. Business-class passengers will be unaffected by this change and will still enjoy a complimentary meal with hot and cold drinks and a selection of alcoholic beverages.

Despite this change, the airline also announced the launch of free, ultra-high-speed WiFi on board all of its aircraft. This will be available beginning next year free of charge in all travel cabins, accessible by logging into Air France’s Flying Blue account. Starlink will provide WiFi across Air France’s fleet, providing access to streaming platforms, live news and messaging.

During this transition period, Air France will continue to offer a connectivity service on board aircraft not yet equipped with this new WiFi, including a free “Message Pass” for Flying Blue members and a paid offer that covers other needs.

Air France isn’t the first airline to implement this á la carte method. Lufthansa and British Airways already adopted this system for economy passengers. British Airways did away with free in-flight meals for economy passengers nearly a decade ago, and Lufthansa ended this system in 2021. Additionally, KLM is said to be considering this pay-on-board system in 2025, too, with testing soon underway to possibly permanently remove free meals by the end of next year.

It’s important to note U.S. airlines don’t even offer in-flight meal service for economy passengers. Airlines like United Airlines and Delta Air Lines have long charged for á la carte options for economy passengers, and this method is what some are calling the “Americanization” of full-service European airlines.

What are your thoughts on this news? Do you think airlines should provide free, in-flight meals for economy passengers on short- and/or medium-haul flights? Tell us your thoughts. Email us at letters@globaltravelerusa.com. Please include your full name and location.