EASYJET and TUI have both axed popular kids’ meal deal choices from in-flight menus meaning parents will have to fork out more to feed their children on flights.
Researchers for The Sun spotted the £6 a pop Kids Snack Bag has been removed from the current easyJet online brochure.
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Last year the children’s option included Mini Cheddars, Strawberry and Apple Fruit Paws, a Dairy Milk Little Bar, Jammie Dodgers, and a Sunny Raisin box.
Instead, mums and dads will now be forced to choose food for their kids from the adult menu with meal deal choices ranging from £6.50 to £8.50 a pop not including options featuring an alcoholic drink.
We found a similar story at rival airline TUI.
Chiefs have removed the TUI Drink and Snack meal deal for kids which previously included a Fruit Shoot, Sour Cream and Onion Pringles, Toy Box Choc, and Haribo Travel Parade for £6.50.
It means cash-strapped parents will be forced to buy their children an adult meal deal for £9.50 or purchase items separately from the inflight menu meaning they will have to spend more either way.
A tub of Pringles Sour Cream 40 grams at £2.60, Haribo Travel Parade 100g at £2 and a Robinsons Fruit Shoot Apple and Blackcurrant 200ml at £2.60 amount to a whopping £7.20 alone.
And in a further blow for cash-conscious families Jet 2 bosses have hiked the price of their Kids’ Snack Box including Mini Cheddars and Jammie Dodgers Minis to £5 a pop.
That is an increase of 11 per cent on last year’s £4.50.
Our findings come almost two years after reports accused airlines of fuelling Britain’s child obesity epidemic by packing inflight meals containing up to three days’ worth of sugar.
At the time campaigners warned parents had little option but to feed their children meal choices containing up to 16 teaspoons of sugar from airlines including easyJet, Jet 2, TUI, and British Airways.
Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at analysts, Hargreaves Lansdown, added: “Rising prices is making it difficult for airlines to price this kind of thing attractively for parents – while also making a decent profit.
“There’s only limited space on board, so there comes a point when it doesn’t make financial sense for them to fill that space with an option they can’t make as much money on.
“If you’re flying with children, it makes taking a packed lunch even more vital.
“You can pick up these items in the supermarket for a fraction of the price, so the kids have snacks without you wasting valuable holiday money on them.”
Dan Coatsworth, investment analyst at AJ Bell: “For the past couple of years consumers have prioritized holidays above pretty much anything else but recent updates from the likes of TUI showed weak bookings for summer 2025, suggesting travel operators are finding life tougher.
“Airlines have to compete hard on ticket prices, often trying instead to eke out additional margin from extras like baggage and priority boarding.
“This is another example of travel companies trying to make a little extra revenue without raising headline ticket prices.”
Martyn James, consumer expert, said: “Airlines are notorious for cutting costs, but this feels particularly unfair, given how hard it is to coax kids to be on their best behaviour on planes.
“Now more than ever, it makes sense to ditch the inflight options and pop to an airport shop to buy your own food and drink before taking to the skies so you can save a little extra for your trip.”
easyJet said they were planning on bringing back their Kids Snack Box in time for the summer season but until then there would be no kids option.
A spokesman said: “We continually review and regularly make seasonal changes to our inflight range to match demand.
“We offer a range to cater for all ages flying throughout the year and a Kids Snack Box will be available onboard from the end of March for the start of our busy summer season, with millions of customers taking off on their family holidays.”
TUI and Jet2 were contacted for comment.
Last summer, a holiday maker saved hundreds on a trip to the states with a little-known Martin Lewis hack.
Martin has dubbed the hack “the re-book trick” – which is to cancel and then re-book a car hire or hotel if you spot it for a cheaper price than when you bought it.
Holiday maker, Michael, saved £354 using the hack.
TIPS TO SAVE MONEY WHEN TRAVELLING
1) Cancel and rebook car hire: Car hire prices have fallen in recent months, so you could save cash by cancelling and rebooking at a lower price.
To do this, check whether your provider offers free cancellation — many do up to 48 hours before pick-up — and check if there is cheaper availability of the model you want.
Figures from consumer group Which? suggest you could save £56 a week, as that’s how far prices have fallen in the last few months.
One holiday maker saved £354 using the hack.
2) Use an app for cheap meals: Cut the cost of food shopping while abroad by downloading the Too Good To Go app, which allows you to buy cheap surplus food from stores near to your holiday location.
Also consider rival Phenix, which fulfils a similar role in France. You’ll spend less and perhaps discover new stores at the same time.
3) Try an eSIM if you are travelling further afield: New eSIMS allow you to roam more cheaply outside Europe while keeping your number — but not all phones are compatible.
To check if yours is, call *#06# from your handset.
If yours is compatible, you will see a 32-digit EID number displayed.
With an eSIM, US roaming is available from Uswitch for £6 for 5GB over 30 days, with more generous packages available, too.
4) Visit the tourist office for discounts: Booking in advance can save you cash on attractions but, if you’ve left it too late, then ask the experts on the ground for help.
Local tourist offices often have leaflets with physical discount codes for days out, while the staff there, and possibly at your hotel, may also be able to wangle a discount.
5) Find airport discounts: Vouchers and online offers can cut the price of your time at the airport.
Stansted Airport offers a downloadable book of discount vouchers, including Kids Eat Free deals and ten per cent off duty free.
Elsewhere, TravelSupermarket have done their research and have discovered the top 12 holiday spots that are cheaper this year compared to 2024.
Larnaca, a city on the southeast coast of Cyprus, has emerged as the holiday destination with the biggest price drop.
According to TravelSupermarket, the holiday comparison website, prices of a holiday to Larnaca have fallen by £495 per person.
The average price in 2024 was £1,292.04 and in 2025 is £797.97 – a 38 per cent decrease.
Top Hacks for Holidaying with Kids
IF you’ve got plans to go on holiday with your little ones this summer, here’s some advice to take on board.
Plan Ahead:
- Book accommodations with family-friendly amenities.
- Research kid-friendly attractions and activities.
- Make travel arrangements that accommodate your children’s schedules.
Pack Smart:
- Create a packing checklist to ensure you don’t forget essentials.
- Pack a mix of familiar and new toys to keep kids entertained.
- Bring snacks, extra clothes, and emergency supplies in your carry-on.
Travel Comfort:
- Use neck pillows and blankets for a more comfortable journey.
- Download movies, games, and music on tablets or phones.
- Schedule travel during nap times or overnight to maximise sleep.
Stay Organized:
- Use packing cubes to keep clothes and items sorted.
- Keep important documents, like passports and tickets, in a dedicated folder.
- Utilise apps for itinerary management and navigation.
Engage and Entertain:
- Plan interactive activities like scavenger hunts or travel journals.
- Explore local parks, playgrounds, and kid-friendly museums.
- Involve kids in trip planning to get them excited and engaged.
Maintain Routine:
- Stick to regular meal and sleep times as much as possible.
- Bring along comfort items, like favorite blankets or stuffed animals.
- Allow for downtime to avoid overstimulation.
Stay Flexible:
- Be prepared to adjust plans based on your children’s needs and moods.
- Embrace the unexpected and make the most of impromptu moments.
- Keep a positive attitude to set the tone for a fun and memorable trip.
These hacks can help make your holiday with kids smoother, more enjoyable, and will ensure that you return home with wonderful memories!
