KLM to Eliminate Free Beer, Wine, and Soda on Short-Haul Flights Starting in October

One of Europe’s busiest airlines is dropping one of its best perks.

Starting in October, passengers flying on KLM short-haul economy flights (for example, from Amsterdam to London) will no longer receive complimentary beer, wine, or soda onboard. Instead, those beverages will be moved to a paid model under KLM’s new “Grand Café KLM” program.

Grand Café KLM is a new onboard concept that KLM claims gives passengers more choices, including the option to pre-order meals prior to departure. Aside from phasing out its well-known complimentary fresh cheese sandwiches on European routes in favor of paid items like salmon wraps, croque-monsieurs, and pre-ordered meals, the program also shifts soft drinks and alcoholic beverages to a buy-on-board model for short-haul economy flights.

KLM isn’t dropping complimentary service entirely; passengers will still receive coffee, tea, water, orange juice, and a stroopwafel (or just water and a stroopwafel on the shortest flights). It will also continue to offer complimentary beer, wine, and soda to economy passengers on standard long-haul international flights.

Even though its bad news for KLM flyers, it’s not suprising. Over the last decade, KLM competitors like British Airways, SAS, and the Lufthansa Group have all eliminated complimentary hot beverages, alcohol, and meal services on intra-Europe routes in favor of buy-on-board menus.

KLM’s sister carrier Air France remains one of the last major European legacy holdouts still providing free alcoholic drinks and snacks on short-haul flights.