BRITISH Airways passengers have been left stunned after discovering that the airline’s new afternoon tea offering on board doesn’t actually include any tea.
Passengers travelling on short-haul flights can currently order a sultana scone, strawberry jam and clotted cream for £5 as the “Afternoon Tea” option.
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In the magazine, it advertises: “An indulgent sultana scone served with traditional clotted cream and delicious strawberry preserve – pair it with a hot cup of Tea Pigs Everyday Brew for an authentic cream team experience”.
However, the cup of tea isn’t actually included in the price, and costs an extra £2.50.
Passengers were confused about how it could be an afternoon tea without a hot drink to go with it, as many complained on travel forum Flyer Talk.
One user asked: “I had my first experience of the new BA short-haul menu on a flight from AGP to LHR last night [and] some around me opted for the Afternoon Tea.
@BenSFletcher/Twitter
“They were surprised to find that it doesn’t actually come with a cup of tea. That’s extra.
“The descriptive wording talks (deceptively in my opinion) about pairing your £5 scone with a tea.
“It doesn’t mention that will be at your cost. Deceptive, just plain tight or fair enough?”
Many agreed it was unfair to offer the afternoon tea without the tea.
One person commented: “Clunk. That was my jaw hitting the deck. Are you telling us that something described on a menu as Afternoon Tea actually comprises just a scone? And that you can buy a cuppa separately?”
Another remarked: “Wouldn’t calling it ‘Afternoon tea’ without any tea be false advertising? Surely a reasonable person would expect tea with afternoon tea?”
However others didn’t agree: “I suspect the use of the term ‘tea’ in this context relates to a meal rather than the beverage.”
The original person who posed the question added: “Each time I heard it ordered, the passenger requested ‘Afternoon Tea’.
“Passenger then waits patiently for their cup of tea….which of course doesn’t arrive. Some kick off, some question if the tea has been forgotten. None say ‘oh of course…silly me’.”
Twitter user Ben Fletcher wrote: “Let me guess, @British_Airways, you removed the tea from afternoon tea based on customer feedback in order to enhance the afternoon experience?”
Mark Whiteside tweeted: “Um, @British_Airways does your Afternoon Tea on board not actually come with Tea?
“I’m paying a fiver just for the scone and the teas extra? …. What?”
A British Airways spokesperson told Sun Online Travel: “Whether it’s a traditional cup of tea, our new espresso martini or a bottle of champagne, we offer a wide range of beverages to allow customers to choose which option they pair our popular afternoon tea with. “
Afternoon tea fans can enjoy the full experience for £5 if heading to IKEA.
The furniture store are offering meatball sandwiches, canapes and cakes along with hot drinks as part of the deal.
