The Inflight Catering Market Report is Segmented by Food Type (Meals, Bakery and Confectionery, Beverages, and Other Food Types), Flight Type (Full-Service Carriers and Low-Cost Carriers), Aircraft Seating Class (Economy Class, Business Class, and First Class), Catering Type (Retail On Board and Classic Catering), Flight Duration (Long Haul and Short Haul), and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa). The Report Offers Market Size and Forecast for all the Above Segments in Value (USD).

It is estimated that in 2027, the global airline catering services market will amount to approximately 21.8 billion U.S. dollars. Airline catering industry in the U.S. As low-cost carriers (LCCs) entered the aviation market, the traditional aviation services got disrupted immensely. One of the impacts of the structural changes within the aviation industry was on the airline catering services because traditional air carriers started to rethink the in-flight food provisioning. Despite all, people need food or some basic nourishments during a travel journey. In upcoming years, slow but steady growth in global airline catering services is expected. In 2019, the market size of the U.S. airline catering services was roughly 5.5 billion U.S. dollars. During that period, this industry employed over 61,000 people in the U.S. Enterprises in the U.S. air catering market Since 2017, the number of firms in this market has experienced a growth path even amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Each large air carrier has a main in-flight food provider, mostly owned vertically within their own business unit. In 2019, there were approximately 295 businesses in the U.S. airline catering services market to supply the aviation industry with food. In that same year, the U.S. airline catering service enterprises incurred approximately 2.2 billion U.S. dollars in wage costs.

The Asia-Pacific Inflight Catering Services Market is Segmented by Aircraft Seating Class (Economy Class, Business Class, and First Class), Flight Type (Full-Service Carriers and Low-Cost Carriers), Food Type (Meals, Bakery, and Confectionery, Beverages, and Other Food Types), and Geography (India, China, Japan, South Korea, and Rest of Asia-Pacific). The Report Offers Market Size and Forecast for all the Above Segments in Value (USD).

In 2020, the meal segment in the airline catering market accounted for over four billion U.S. dollars worldwide. By 2027, the global airline catering market is expected to reach approximately 21.8 billion U.S. dollars.

The Report Covers Europe Airport Catering Companies and is Segmented by Aircraft Seating Class (Economy Class, Business Class, and First Class), Flight Type (Full-service Carriers, Low-cost Carriers, and Other Flight Types), Food Type (Meals, Bakery and Confectionery, Beverages, and Other Food Types), and Geography (United Kingdom, Germany, France, Russia, Italy, Spain, and Rest of Europe). The market size and forecasts are provided in terms of value (USD million) for all the above segments.

Inflight Catering Market size was valued at USD 17.16 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 25.88 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 8.58% during the forecast period 2024-2030.

Global Inflight Catering Market Drivers

The market drivers for the Inflight Catering Market can be influenced by various factors. These may include:

Growth in Air Passenger Traffic: The in-flight catering business is significantly influenced by the steady increase in air passenger traffic, which is fueled by factors including rising disposable incomes, an expanding middle class, and an increase in tourism. The market is driven by an increase in the demand for in-flight amenities and meals as more people travel by air.
Focus on Passenger Experience: In an effort to obtain a competitive advantage, airlines are placing a greater emphasis on improving the overall passenger experience. High-quality food and services may greatly increase passenger happiness and loyalty, which is why in-flight catering is so important. As a result, airlines are making investments to raise the caliber, diversity, and presentation of their onboard meals.
Preferences of Airlines for Outsourcing: Rather than handling their catering internally, several airlines would rather contract with specialized businesses. Airlines may lower expenses, boost productivity, and get access to a greater variety of food alternatives through outsourcing. Because of this, there is a growing need for specialty in-flight food services, which is propelling market expansion.
Regulatory Requirements: Aviation authorities are subject to stringent laws concerning the safety and hygienic practices of food served during flights. Because of the specialized knowledge and infrastructure needed to comply with these rules, airlines must rely on reputable catering businesses. Therefore, one of the main factors driving the in-flight catering market is the requirement to comply with regulations.
Increasing aviation Competition: To stand out from the competition and draw in more customers, airlines compete fiercely in the aviation sector. One way airlines try to differentiate themselves is by providing excellent in-flight meals and services. Airlines are concentrating more on enhancing their in-flight catering options as competition heats up, which is propelling market expansion.
Innovations in Food Packaging and Delivery: The industry for in-flight catering has seen a radical transformation because to developments in food packaging and delivery technologies. These developments enable airlines to provide customers with a greater selection of freshly prepared, premium meals—even on lengthy trips. Improving the whole in-flight dining experience, improved food packaging also contributes to the preservation of food quality and freshness.
Shifting Customer Preferences: Over time, travelers’ tastes for meals on flights have changed. Passengers today have a wider range of food choices and restrictions in addition to being more health-conscious. In response to these shifting consumer tastes, airlines are expanding their selection of in-flight meal options to include vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and organic options. The in-flight catering sector is growing and innovating to meet these changing consumer requirements.

In 2016 the two clear leaders of the global airline catering business were Swiss company Gategroup and Lufthansa subsidiary LSG, who held market shares of 24 percent and 20 percent respectively. The next largest provider, Dubai-based Dnata, held a much smaller market share of six percent. Airline catering Airline catering, being the provision of food which is served to passengers travelling on commercial airlines, was typically handled by airlines in earlier times. Recently though, the twin demands of improving quality and cutting costs has led to many airlines outsourcing their catering, and the creation of larger catering companies that can leverage an economy of scale impossible for a single airline. This context mirrors the history of Gategroup, who were originally the catering arm of Swissair but now include catering services formerly operated by airlines such as SAS, British Airways and Qantas. Gategroup have also acquiring many other airline catering providers, to become a company generating over 4.5 billion Swiss francs in revenue from operations all over the world. Inflight services Catering is only one of the inflight services generally offered by airlines. Aside from food, the most widespread inflight service offered today is inflight entertainment, with most airlines providing access to movies, music, games and other media. Seatback screens are the most popular way to consume inflight entertainment, with access using passengers’ own electronic devices being a less popular alternative. Increasingly, internet access via WiFi is also being offered as inflight entertainment. A majority of passengers have indicated they would use this service if available, creating potential new revenue streams for airlines.

The Report Covers North America In-Flight Catering Market Service Providers & Companies and It is segmented by aircraft seating class, flight service type, and geography. By aircraft seating class, the market has been segmented into economy class, business class, and first class. By flight service type, the market has been segmented into full-service carriers and low-cost carriers. By Geography, the market has been segmented into the United States of America and Canada. Moreover, the report offers a market forecast represented by USD million.

In-flight Catering Services Market size was valued at around USD 22 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach around USD 34 billion by 2030 along with a CAGR of 9.12%.

It is estimated that in 2026, the European airline catering services market will amount to approximately 8.4 billion U.S. dollars. In December 2020, Lufthansa's subsidiary, LSG Group, which was responsible for airline catering services, was acquired by Gategroup.

According to Cognitive Market Research, the global Aviation Catering market size is USD 16841.2 million in 2024. It will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5% from 2024 to 2031.

North America held the major market share for more than 40% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 6736.48 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.7% from 2024 to 2031.
Europe accounted for a market share of over 30% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 5052.36 million.
Asia Pacific held a market share of around 23% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 3873.48 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5% from 2024 to 2031.
Latin America had a market share for more than 5% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 842.06 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9% from 2024 to 2031.
Middle East and Africa had a market share of around 2% of the global revenue and was estimated at a market size of USD 336.82 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2% from 2024 to 2031.
The Meals held the highest Aviation Catering market revenue share in 2024.

Market Dynamics of Aviation Catering Market

Key Drivers for Aviation Catering Market

Growth of Air Travel to Increase the Demand Globally

The aviation industry is experiencing a substantial boom, marked with the aid of regular growth in international passenger numbers. This surge in air tours has caused a corresponding rise in demand for in-flight catering services, as airways attempt to enhance passenger experience with various superb meal options. Catering organizations are expanding their operations to meet this developing need and specialize in innovation, sustainability, and customization to cater to varied dietary preferences and cultural tastes. As airways compete to draw and preserve clients, in-flight catering has end up a critical issue of their service offerings, driving the enterprise closer to continuous improvement and expansion.

Rising Disposable Income to Propel Market Growth

Rising disposable incomes in lots of areas have made air tour extra available to a bigger population. With more people able to find the money for flights, the wide variety of air travelers has surged, mainly due to improved demand for aviation catering services. As tourists are trying to find quality dining experiences through their flights, catering agencies take advantage of a developing customer base. This trend has precipitated catering vendors to innovate and diversify their menus to meet the varying preferences and nutritional desires of passengers. Consequently, the aviation catering industry is experiencing a robust increase, driven by the better spending energy of individuals and their increased propensity to travel by air.

Restraint Factor for the Aviation Catering Market

High Cost of Operation to Limit the Sales

Aviation catering companies grapple with high working fees due to stringent regulations on meal protection and hygiene, which necessitate vast investment in compliance measures. Maintaining these requirements entails rigorous satisfactory control, ordinary inspections, and specialized schooling for the body of workers, all of which are pricey. Additionally, fluctuating fuel costs impact transportation expenses, similarly raising up expenses. The use of perishable ingredients adds another layer of complexity, requiring efficient supply chain management to save you spoilage and waste. These elements collectively make contributions to the high working prices faced by aviation catering agencies, challenging them to stability value management while turning in brilliant meals to satisfy passenger expectancies.

Impact of Covid-19 on the Aviation Catering Market

The COVID-19 pandemic seriously impacted the aviation catering marketplace, as considerable travel regulations and reduced passenger numbers brought about a sharp decline in calls. Airlines cut lower back on in-flight offerings, and lots of catering companies confronted tremendous economic losses. The cognizance shifted to making sure fitness and safety, main to accelerated expenses for more desirable hygiene protocols and packaging. However, as the journey steadily resumes, the market is beginning to recover. There's a developing emphasis on pre-packaged and contactless food to decrease risk. Additio...

The Asia-Pacific and Middle-East Inflight Catering Market Report is Segmented by Food Type (meals, Bakery and Confectionery, Beverages, and Other Food Types), Flight Type (full-Service Carriers, Low-Cost Carriers, Hybrid, and Other Flight Types), Aircraft Seating Class (economy Class, Business Class, and First Class), and Geography (Asia-Pacific and Middle-East). The Report Offers Market Size and Forecasts for all the Above Segments in Value (USD).

The China inflight catering market is experiencing robust growth, driven by a surge in air travel, particularly within the burgeoning domestic market. The market's Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) exceeding 4% indicates a sustained expansion, projected to continue throughout the forecast period (2025-2033). Key drivers include the rise of low-cost carriers (LCCs) offering competitive meal options, increasing disposable incomes fueling demand for premium services in business and first class, and a growing preference for diverse and customized inflight meals. Significant trends include the increasing adoption of sustainable practices within the industry, focusing on reducing waste and utilizing eco-friendly packaging. Furthermore, the market is witnessing innovations in meal delivery and technology, enhancing efficiency and passenger experience through pre-ordering systems and personalized meal choices. While regulatory compliance and supply chain complexities pose some restraints, the overall market outlook remains positive, with considerable opportunities for growth within the various segments. The dominance of major players such as Flying Food Group, LSG Sky Chefs, and Cathay Pacific Catering Services, coupled with the entry of smaller, specialized providers offering niche catering solutions, shapes a competitive landscape characterized by ongoing innovation and strategic partnerships. The substantial size of the Chinese domestic market, coupled with its expanding international connectivity, positions the China inflight catering market as a significant player in the global aviation sector. Future growth will likely be fueled by increasing demand for healthier, culturally-specific, and technologically advanced inflight dining options. The segmentation of the market reveals significant opportunities across various categories. The economy class remains the largest segment due to high passenger volume; however, the business and first-class segments are demonstrating faster growth driven by rising affluence and the desire for premium services. Similarly, while full-service carriers dominate the flight service type segment, low-cost carriers are expanding their food offerings, presenting a dynamic competitive landscape. The demand for diverse food types, such as meals, bakery items, beverages, and other specialized options, indicates evolving consumer preferences that catering companies need to adapt to for continued success. Regional variations in culinary preferences also present unique opportunities for caterers to tailor their offerings to specific tastes, further driving the market's growth. This comprehensive report provides an in-depth analysis of the burgeoning China inflight catering market, projecting robust growth from 2025 to 2033. We delve into market size, segmentation, key players, and future trends, offering invaluable insights for industry stakeholders. The study covers the historical period (2019-2024), with 2025 as the base year and an estimated and forecasted period of 2025-2033. This report utilizes extensive data analysis to paint a detailed picture of this dynamic sector, covering aspects from inflight meal trends to the impact of airline regulations. Notable trends are: Full Service Carriers are Expected to Show Remarkable Growth During the Forecast Period.

The North America Inflight Catering Market, valued at USD 3.48 billion in 2024, is projected to grow at a 12.4% CAGR from 2025-2030, driven by key trends and opportunities.

In 2021, there were 440 businesses in the U.S. airline catering services market to supply the aviation industry with food. Since 2019, the number of firms in this market has experienced a decline amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Global Inflight Catering Services Market reached US$ 16.3 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach US$ 30 billion by 2031

The Saudi Arabia Inflight Catering Market Report is Segmented by Meals (Snacks, Fruits & Salad, Bread, Bakery Items and Confectionery, Meals, and Beverages), Flight Service Type (Full-Service Carriers and Low-Cost Carriers), Aircraft Seating Class (Premium Economy Class, Economy Class, Business Class, and First Class), Flight Duration (Long Haul, Medium Haul, and Short Haul), and Food Type (Forzen and Fresh). The Market Sizes and Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value in USD for all the Above Segments.

It is estimated that in 2026, the North American airline catering services market will amount to just over 7.5 billion U.S. dollars. In 2019, the U.S. airline catering services market size was roughly 5.6 billion U.S. dollars.

The size and share of the market is categorized based on Type (Meal, Snacks, Beverage) and Application (Airline, Others) and geographical regions (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and Middle-East and Africa).

This statistic illustrates the market size of airline catering services in the United States from 2018 to 2021. In 2021, airline catering services in the U.S. were valued at just under three billion U.S. dollars.