Dominic Smithers
British Airways is bringing back free refreshments for passengers, years after axing the much-loved perk.
Seven years ago, the airline announced it was getting rid of free tea and coffee for travellers.
Billed as a cost-cutting exercise, it meant passengers would have to fork out around £2.80 if they were a bit parched during their trip.
However, following the devastating impact of the Covid pandemic, BA bosses introduced the offer of a free bottle of water and snack.
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And now, they've gone one step further by bringing back the classic tea and coffee combo - though there are some snags.
For a limited time only passengers flying with the carrier on 'longer short-haul' flights, which usually take at least five hours, will be offered a brew when they get on board.
The exciting news was broken by the Sunday Times.
A message sent out to staff by BA boss Sean Doyle explained that the move was part of the company's 'summer offer'.
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It read: "We want to surprise and delight customers, and what's more delightfully British than a cup of tea?
"We’re looking at introducing this on some of our longer short-haul routes."
The offer will also see passengers travelling on long-haul flights in premium economy (World Traveller Plus) receive some ice cream and the offer of a pre-flight glass of fizz.
Sadly, however, if you're travelling with BA on one of their regular short-haul flights, you are unlikely to receive the free tea and coffee, sources claimed.
A spokesperson for British Airways said: "This summer we are offering customers travelling on some of our longer short-haul flights complimentary tea and coffee as part of our surprise and delight initiative."
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But if the idea of getting on a plane gives you butterflies, how about taking to the seven seas this summer?
And if you're going to take a cruise, you could do worse than purchasing a ticket for the largest ship in the world, the Icon of The Seas.
The enormous vessel is set to make her maiden voyage in January 2024, but it’s already been made and is currently undergoing open-sea testing.
It’s five times bigger than the Titanic, and - to put it bluntly - it’s absolutely f**king massive.
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On board, there's a record-breaking waterpark, with a load of slides, a bunch of bars and restaurants, activities, and - of course - space for thousands of passengers and crew.
It has been reported that the Icon of the Seas has already taken around £5 million in advance ticket sales, with loads of people queuing up to take a spin around the Caribbean on board.
The ship is 20 decks high, two more than the previous record holder, which is also a Royal Caribbean boat.
The liner is 1,198 feet long and has a gross tonnage of 250,800, as well as having the world’s largest onboard waterpark and the world’s tallest freefall water slide at sea.
There’s a lot going on with this boat, in short.