Flapjack or banana bread? We try BA’s new short haul economy snacks!

Just over a month ago, British Airways replaced the free snacks it provides on short haul economy flights. Instead of a bag of pretzels or crisps, you now get a choice between banana bread or a sultana flapjack.

No images were forthcoming when the change was made, but both Rob and I had the opportunity to try them on our recent flights to Lisbon for World Aviation Festival.

This is what they look like:

They are hand made in the Cotswolds by Four Anjels Ltd. According to their website, they also produce own-label goods for Pret, Caffe Nero and Itsu.

Here they are, in the nude. Click to enlarge.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. How big are they? Well, I took some photos with a British Airways Gold card for scale – that’s the same size as your standard credit card. Don’t say we don’t offer a public service!

The dimensions of the flapjack are 6.5cm by 2.5cm by 1cm thick. The banana bread is slightly taller.

According to the packaging, the flapjack weighs 28g. This compares to 110g to 125g for the flapjacks in my local newsagent.

No weight for the banana bread is given but it is noticeably lighter. I wouldn’t be surprised if it weighed just over half.

The banana bread contains egg and wheat.

The taste test

Both Rob and I agreed that the flapjack is the clear winner of the two. I’m no flapjack connoisseur but it had the chewy, sweet oaty texture I associate with flapjacks. The small size means that you don’t get large pieces of sultana though.

The banana bread is less successful. It is extremely fluffy, and not at all like the more stodgy, moist banana bread I would normally enjoy or bake myself. The banana element is via puree (19% of the weight) and the cake has a light banana smell.

Conclusion

Whether you will prefer the new snacks versus the old ones will depend on whether you have a sweet or savoury tooth, I think.

(It also depends on when you are flying, as early morning services still serve a Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain bar instead of the new cakes.)

You do at least get a choice between two options now, whereas previously only one snack was stocked. If you didn’t like it then tough.

And, whilst small, a small bottle of water and a snack is still more than you can expect for free on virtually any other European airline in economy. Good luck getting much of anything for free in economy on Lufthansa.

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How to earn Avios from UK credit cards (April 2025)

As a reminder, there are various ways of earning Avios points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses!

In February 2022, Barclaycard launched two exciting new Barclaycard Avios Mastercard cards with a bonus of up to 25,000 Avios. You can apply here.

You qualify for the bonus on these cards even if you have a British Airways American Express card:

There are two official British Airways American Express cards with attractive sign-up bonuses:

You can also get generous sign-up bonuses by applying for American Express cards which earn Membership Rewards points. These points convert at 1:1 into Avios.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

Run your own business?

We recommend Capital on Tap for limited companies. You earn 1 Avios per £1 which is impressive for a Visa card, and the standard card is FREE. Capital on Tap cards also have no FX fees.

There is also a British Airways American Express card for small businesses:

There are also generous bonuses on the two American Express Business cards, with the points converting at 1:1 into Avios. These cards are open to sole traders as well as limited companies.

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which earn Avios. This includes both personal and small business cards.