What happened
KLM will roll out paid buy-on-board and pre-order catering on select short-haul flights from 25 October 2026 after long trials. It has split its European network into 5 route bands with 4 catering levels.
From 11 October 2026, Band 1 extra-short flights get only water or a hot drink plus a snack and have no paid catering. Band 2 adds free orange juice. Band 3 can take food pre-orders but buy-on-board food is apparently unavailable, and beverages may also be missing on some flights. Bands 4 and 5 are the first to offer the full paid menu plus pre-order. Short-haul business class still receives a limited boxed meal with no hot pre-order options.
LoyaltyLobby reports that Flying Blue has not clearly stated whether Platinum and Ultimate members receive any menu drink, including alcohol, or which snack items count as the elite snack. Check which band your KLM short-haul route is in before you fly, and do not assume Flying Blue elite status still covers drinks or snacks on buy-on-board flights.
- Starts
- Oct 25, 2026
- Where
- BRE, BRU, DUS, NWI, FRA, HAJ, HAM, LCY, LHR, HUY
- Who qualifies
- Passengers on select KLM short-haul flights; paid buy-on-board is described as available on medium and long bands, with pre-order on some medium routes and no paid catering on extra-short flights.
- Takeaway
- Check which band your KLM short-haul route is in before you fly, and do not assume Flying Blue elite status still covers drinks or snacks on buy-on-board flights.