KLM scraps free sandwiches on European flights from October

Dutch airline KLM has announced that onboard catering on European flights will be adjusted from October this year. From then on, there will be no more free cheese sandwiches, beer, wine or soft drinks. 

New Grand Café KLM ends free sandwiches

Starting in October 2026, Grand Café KLM will be implemented as the new onboard catering service for KLM flights in Europe. This will allow passengers the option to pre-order a meal before departure or choose items from the onboard menu during the flight, all for a fee.

The free cheese sandwich will get the boot, along with beer, wine and soft drinks. There will still be free items, but this will be reduced to drinks like coffee, tea, water and orange juice, and a complimentary stroopwafel.

According to a press release by the Dutch airline, meals that passengers can pre-order include a poke bowl or Caesar salad, while the onboard menu offers items such as a salmon and egg wrap or yoghurt with fruit and seeds.  

KLM makes switch to paid onboard catering 

For now, KLM is one of the few airlines that offer free food and drinks on short flights in Europe. With the upcoming changes, the Dutch airline will join other European airlines, such as British Airways and Lufthansa, that made the switch to paid catering.

"With this new concept, we are taking the next step in enhancing the European travel experience,” said KLM’s EVP Inflight Services Bas Gerressen. “Passengers will benefit from greater choice, more flexibility, and an offering that better reflects a wide range of preferences and needs.”