Inflight Catering Market Report 2025-2034: Trends, Growth, and Forecast

Inflight Catering Market Outlook

According to the report by Expert Market Research (EMR), the global inflight catering market size was valued at USD 15.21 Billion in 2024. Aided by the increasing number of air travel passengers, rising disposable incomes, and growing demand for premium food offerings on flights, the market is projected to expand at a CAGR of 4.60% between 2025 and 2034, reaching a value of USD 23.85 Billion by 2034.

Inflight catering services provide passengers with a wide range of meal options, snacks, and beverages during their flight journey. This sector is a crucial component of the overall airline service industry, contributing to passenger satisfaction, loyalty, and the overall flight experience. With increasing competition in the airline industry and the growing expectations of travelers, airlines are increasingly turning to inflight catering providers to enhance their offerings, deliver convenience, and ensure high-quality meals that align with changing consumer tastes and preferences.

The inflight catering market is a dynamic industry that faces both opportunities and challenges. On one hand, rising demand for gourmet meals, healthier meal options, and premium dining experiences is creating new avenues for growth. On the other hand, the sector must address logistical challenges such as maintaining food quality during long flights, ensuring food safety, and managing the environmental impact of packaging and waste.

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Key Drivers of Market Growth

Recovery of the Airline Industry and Rising Air Travel: The global air travel industry is experiencing a strong recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic, and this has had a significant positive impact on the inflight catering market. As more passengers take to the skies, the demand for inflight meals, both standard and premium, has surged. Airlines are now prioritizing quality and variety in their meal offerings to cater to a diverse range of tastes and preferences, further driving the growth of inflight catering services.

Additionally, the rise in global tourism, business travel, and the growing number of international flights are fueling the demand for inflight catering services. With long-haul flights becoming more common, airlines are increasingly investing in providing comprehensive meal services, including multiple course meals, snacks, and beverages, to meet the needs of passengers during extended flights.

Demand for Premium and Custom Meal Options: One of the major trends driving growth in the global inflight catering market is the increasing demand for premium and customized meal options. In line with the growing trend for personalization in various industries, passengers are seeking more tailored dining experiences while flying. Airlines are increasingly offering passengers a variety of meal choices, such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and low-calorie options, to cater to diverse dietary preferences.

High-end airlines and premium classes are introducing bespoke meal services, with an emphasis on fresh, gourmet, and locally sourced ingredients. Premium offerings such as à la carte dining, wine pairings, and celebrity chef-designed menus have become key differentiators for airlines competing for the attention of affluent travelers. Additionally, the ability to pre-order meals and choose from an enhanced menu selection has grown in popularity, especially among frequent flyers and business-class passengers.

Technological Advancements and Inflight Catering Innovation: Technological innovations have had a profound impact on the inflight catering industry, improving both the quality and efficiency of meal production, storage, and service. Airlines are increasingly adopting state-of-the-art kitchen equipment, food preservation technologies, and logistics systems to ensure that meals arrive at their freshest quality and are served in a timely manner.

In particular, the use of advanced food packaging technologies, such as modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), has enabled airlines to extend the shelf-life of inflight meals without compromising quality. Additionally, digital ordering systems that allow passengers to customize their meal preferences before and during their flights have further enhanced the inflight catering experience.

Furthermore, data analytics and AI are being used by some airlines to monitor passenger preferences and trends, allowing them to tailor their meal offerings based on customer feedback and eating habits. These technological advancements contribute to a more efficient inflight catering operation and enable airlines to provide passengers with a wider range of high-quality food options.

Focus on Sustainability and Eco-friendly Practices: Another major driver of the inflight catering market is the growing emphasis on sustainability and eco-friendly practices. With the rising concerns about environmental impact, airlines are increasingly prioritizing sustainability in their inflight catering services. This includes adopting green practices such as reducing food waste, minimizing the use of single-use plastics, and using environmentally friendly packaging materials.

Airlines are exploring options such as edible packaging, biodegradable trays, and recyclable or compostable cutlery and containers to reduce their carbon footprint. Additionally, sourcing ingredients from sustainable and local suppliers is becoming an important aspect of inflight catering, as passengers increasingly demand meals that are ethically produced and environmentally conscious.

This focus on sustainability is not only driven by regulatory pressure but also by consumer demand, as eco-conscious travelers are more likely to support airlines that align with their environmental values. The integration of sustainability into inflight catering operations is expected to be a key differentiator in the market, offering airlines a competitive edge.

Emerging Trends and Opportunities

Health-conscious and Nutritional Meal Options: As consumers become more health-conscious, there is a growing demand for healthier meal options during air travel. Passengers are increasingly seeking meals that are nutritious and cater to specific dietary requirements, such as low-fat, low-sodium, or high-protein options. This trend is particularly prevalent among business and first-class passengers, who are more likely to prioritize health and wellness while traveling.

Airlines are responding to this demand by offering meals that focus on fresh, organic, and nutritionally balanced ingredients. Additionally, the rise of plant-based diets and veganism has led to an increase in the availability of plant-based meals on flights. Airlines are capitalizing on this trend by offering a range of vegan and vegetarian meal options to cater to these dietary preferences.

In-flight catering companies are also expanding their product offerings to include superfoods, gluten-free snacks, and functional beverages, such as smoothies and protein shakes, to provide passengers with healthier alternatives during their journey.

Growth of Regional and Cultural Cuisine: With an increasing number of international travelers and long-haul flights, passengers are becoming more open to trying regional and culturally diverse cuisines. This trend is driving airlines to incorporate more international flavors into their inflight meal offerings. Airlines are focusing on providing passengers with authentic meals that represent the local cuisine of the destinations they are flying to.

Inflight catering companies are working closely with chefs and food experts to design menus that showcase a variety of regional dishes and flavors, offering passengers a unique culinary experience during their flights. This trend not only enhances the overall inflight experience but also serves as a marketing tool for airlines looking to differentiate themselves from competitors.

E-commerce and Direct-to-Consumer Meal Services: The growth of e-commerce and the increasing popularity of direct-to-consumer services have also had an impact on the inflight catering market. Some airlines are exploring partnerships with food delivery platforms to offer passengers the option to pre-order their meals before boarding. This provides passengers with more control over their meal choices and allows airlines to provide a more personalized dining experience.

The rise of subscription-based meal services and the growing trend of offering customized meal plans is also expected to influence the inflight catering sector. Airlines can potentially offer subscription-based meal options for frequent flyers, allowing them to select from a range of gourmet meals that suit their preferences.

Inflight Catering Market Segmentation

The market can be divided based on flight type, aircraft seating class, flight duration, food type, catering type, and region.

Market Breakup by Flight Type

• Full-Service Carriers
• Low-Cost Carriers
• Others

Market Breakup by Aircraft Seating Class

• Economy Class
• Business Class
• First Class
• Others

Market Breakup by Flight Duration

• Long Haul
• Short Haul

Market Breakup by Food Type

• Meals
• Bakery And Confectionery
• Beverages
• Others

Market Breakup by Catering Type

• Retail Onboard
• Classic Catering

Market Breakup by Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa

Competitive Landscape

Some of the major players explored in the report by Expert Market Research are as follows:

• The Emirates Group
• Cathay Pacific Airways Limited
• Flying Food Group
• Amber Green Corporation (Abby’s Catering)
• DO CO Aktiengesellschaft
• Gate Gourmet Switzerland GmbH
• LSG Group
• SATS Ltd.
• Saudi Airlines Catering
• Newrest Group Services SAS
• ANA Catering Service Co., Ltd.
• Others