In-flight Catering Services Market (2026 - 2033)

In-flight Catering Services Market Summary

The global in-flight catering services market size was valued at USD 19.9 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow from USD 21.4 billion in 2026 to USD 34.6 billion in 2033, at a CAGR of 7.1% from 2026 to 2033. Asia Pacific dominated the market, accounting for a revenue share of 30.0% in 2025. The perpetual rise in long-haul and non-stop flights, mainly due to increased leisure and business travel, has boosted passenger demand for in-flight catering services.

In addition, to enhance passengers’ overall travel experience and thereby provide a better in-flight experience, airlines worldwide benchmark themselves against the competition by establishing a decent price range for on-board meals. The worldwide surge in demand for products for diverse applications is fueling the expansion of the in-flight catering services industry.

Airlines are providing a rich passenger experience due to the rising automation of the in-flight catering system and improvements in catering management. Airlines continually seek to offer personalized services to potential in-flight customers, such as pre-ordered meal services. For instance, in July 2024, Emirates expanded its in-flight meal pre-ordering service across all four German gateways, including Frankfurt, Munich, Düsseldorf, and Hamburg. The service enables business-class passengers to select their hot main course 14 days to 24 hours before departure, allowing the airline to offer a more personalized dining experience while reducing food waste. Such initiatives are expected to accelerate the adoption of personalized onboard catering services and contribute to market growth.

In addition, businesses are adopting a novel trend of offering continental meal options to customers, helping meet specific meal requests and boosting customer satisfaction. Most airline caterers and in-flight catering service suppliers are working to improve their supply chain management (SCM) to produce high-quality goods while running their in-flight catering operations efficiently. For instance, in April 2024, dnata secured a multi-year in-flight catering contract with Etihad Airways at Boston Logan International Airport.  Under the agreement, dnata provides catering services for Etihad's operations, reflecting the growing emphasis on high-quality food production, food safety standards, and efficient supply chain management within the airline catering industry.

The key players in the in-flight catering services industry are embracing innovative categories and systems from the production management arena to enhance and increase the efficiency of the processes and systems. Catering providers' key tools for improving their offerings include IT management systems, inventory management systems, lean manufacturing, and just-in-time manufacturing. Airlines worldwide are offering digitally enabled F&B services, including Virgin America, Air New Zealand, FlyDubai, and Japan Airlines. Passengers can order through these services using the in-seat IFE system. Emirates recently gave Meal Ordering Devices to every flight attendant serving business class.

The introduction of new, vital safety protocols for professional commercial kitchens, along with the high demand for commercial aircraft, also influences the market. In addition, changes in consumer lifestyles, rapid urbanization, rising disposable incomes, and a growing number of international and domestic air passengers all positively impact the market for in-flight catering services. Furthermore, advancements in the flight food ordering framework and an increase in onboard cooking will likely provide profitable opportunities to industry players during the forecast period.

Market Dynamics

Analyst Perspective

The global in-flight catering market is undergoing a robust structural recovery and strategic expansion in 2025. This growth trajectory is primarily fueled by revitalized global air passenger traffic and a heightened corporate focus on the onboard dining experience, which remains a critical differentiator for airline brand loyalty. However, the market operates in an intensely competitive ecosystem characterized by compressed per-meal profit margins and immense bargaining power wielded by price-sensitive airlines. To safeguard profitability against volatile passenger loads and mitigate substantial food waste driven by historical overproduction, catering operators are adopting stochastic inventory management systems alongside standardized preparation frameworks, such as the cook-chill system, for optimal mass production efficiency. Concurrently, stringent aircraft weight-to-fuel ratios and shrinking onboard galley layouts are accelerating structural design changes, pushing the industry toward lightweight modular architectures and automated, sustainable packaging solutions.

F&B Type Insights

The meal segment dominated the in-flight catering services industry, accounting for the largest revenue share of around 50.0% in 2025. The introduction of ready-to-eat meals for travelers and the rising demand for catering services on long-distance, nonstop flights are key factors fueling market growth. Major companies that provide in-flight catering are taking initiatives to provide meals to culturally diverse passengers. The rising demand for healthy, nutritious meals among passengers and customers' willingness to pay higher prices for them are expected to facilitate growth over the coming years.

The beverages segment is expected to grow at a significant CAGR of around 7.0% over the forecast period. Rising passenger interest in healthy juices, coffee, and tea, typically on short-haul flights, is one of the main factors driving the segment. A range of beverage options for the passengers, including juices and different types of alcohol, is another factor driving the segment's growth. In addition, some airline flight attendants have started providing customized drinks to increase customer satisfaction.

Airline Class Insights

The economy segment dominated the in-flight catering services industry, accounting for the largest revenue share of over 60.0% in 2025. The segment growth is attributed to consumers' growing preference for traveling in economy class for short- to medium-distance vacations. Over the past few years, APAC has seen an increase in disposable income and the middle class, which has fueled the demand for economy-class aircraft seating in the market. Furthermore, the accessibility of inexpensive meal options is anticipated to contribute to segment growth.

The premium economy segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR of about 9.0% during the forecast period. Due to the significant GDP growth in emerging economies worldwide, leisure travelers prefer premium economy. The strong economy is anticipated to drive tremendous growth in the market for in-flight catering services during the forecast period, driven by longer hauls and travel times.

Flight Type Insights

The full-service carrier segment dominated the in-flight catering services market, accounting for the largest revenue share of over 70.0% in 2025, and is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR of over 6.0% during the forecast period. Full-service carriers typically operate on international or long-haul flights. As a result, the rising popularity of international flights is expected to boost segment growth. To encourage market expansion, full-service carriers give passengers a choice between business class, economy class, premium economy, and first class on some flights.

The low-cost carrier segment is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period. Most air travelers still prefer low-cost airlines. As passengers' expectations about eating hygienic food are rising, the demand for in-flight catering is expected to increase regardless of the seating class. In addition, LCCs are frequently chosen for the short- and medium-haul segments.

Airline Insights

The large airline segment accounted for the largest revenue share of over 60.0% in 2025 and is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. The large airline segment is witnessing rapid growth worldwide due to lower airfares, booming tourism, and the stimulus for exceptional connectivity in a rapidly globalizing economy. Airlines are trying to serve more travelers by updating their fleets, investing in new-generation aircraft that are becoming more sophisticated retailers, competing with low-cost rivals, maintaining healthy profitability, and becoming more fuel-efficient. Such positive change in the airline industry is expected to increase the number of air passengers, leading to growth in in-flight catering services at large airlines in the forecast period.

The medium airlines are expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. This growth can be attributed to the increased adoption of analytical tools, automation in in-flight catering to reduce costs and delivery time, and an increase in travelers from around the world resuming travel post-pandemic. Medium-sized airlines mainly operate within a nation or a select number of international locations and have a comparatively smaller area of operation than large airlines. Thus, makes it easier to curate a specific cuisine for medium airlines.

Regional Insights

The Asia Pacific in-flight catering services market accounted for the largest revenue share of more than 30.0% in 2025 and is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR of about 6.0% for the forecast period. The factors contributing to the regional growth include growth in international travel and tourism, rapid urbanization, a rising standard of living to complement aspirational traveling, and a resurgence in discretionary spending. In addition, the increasing number of airline operators in the region is expected to create significant growth opportunities for in-flight catering providers. The region is anticipated to grow at the fastest rate, primarily due to substantial increases in international air travel and tourism in developing countries such as China, India, and Vietnam.

Europe In-flight Catering Services Market Trends

Europe is estimated to expand at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. The region has seen an increase in the number of legacy carriers entering the low-cost market, which is anticipated to increase the demand for in-flight catering services on low-cost flights. Additional factors expected to generate significant growth opportunities in the coming years include the growing willingness of travelers to spend on healthy, organic meals and airline collaborations with food professionals with real-world experience. The addition of new routes and the expansion of airline fleets by key operators are also anticipated to spur growth.

Key In-flight Catering Services Company Insights

Market competition in the in-flight catering services industry is partially concentrated between global catering organizations and aviation services firms. The competition amongst organizations in the market is based on food quality, compliance with food safety regulations, cost management, and the provision of tailored meals onboard flights. Firms in the industry have also made strides toward adopting automation technologies to increase operational efficiency. Competition in the market is influenced by strategic partnerships and expansion into major aviation hubs. Organizations operating in the industry are employing strategies such as partnerships, collaborations, and mergers & acquisitions.

Key In-Flight Catering Services Companies

The following key companies have been profiled for this study of the in-flight catering services market.

• ANA HOLDINGS INC.

• dnata

• DO & CO Aktiengesellschaft

• Emirates Flight Catering

• Flying Food Group, LLC

• Gategroup (Gate Gourmet)

• LSG Lufthansa Service Holding AG

• Newrest International Group

• SATS Ltd.

• Servair SA

Recent Developments

• In March 2026, gategroup Holding AG agreed to acquire a 75% stake in KLM Catering Services to strengthen its in-flight catering operations at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and expand its presence in Europe. The partnership focuses on improving efficiency and sustainability, and on scaling modern catering infrastructure for airline services.

• In April 2024, DNATA entered into a deal with Etihad Airways to provide catering services to its passengers on flights between Boston and Abu Dhabi departing from Boston Logan Airport. The company will provide around 125,000 meals to ensure a world-class dining experience on board.

• In February 2024, Qatar Airways partnered with gategroup to enhance in-flight dining through collaboration on menu innovation, sustainability initiatives, and healthy meal concepts across onboard and lounge services. The partnership aims to improve culinary quality, passenger experience, and operational efficiency across Qatar Airways’ global network.

In-flight Catering Services Market Report Scope

Global In-Flight Catering Services Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at the global, regional & country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends and opportunities in each of the sub-segments from 2021 to 2033. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global in-flight catering services market report based on flight type, airline, airline class, F&B type, and region:

• Flight Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033)

  • Full-Service Carrier

  • Low-Cost Carrier

  • Other

• Airlines Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033)

  • Large Airlines

  • Medium Airlines

  • Small Airlines

• Airline Class Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033)

  • Economy

  • Premium Economy

  • Business

  • First Class

• F&B Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033)

  • Meal

  • Bakery & Confectionery

  • Beverages

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • UK

    • Germany

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • Japan

    • India

    • Australia

    • South Korea

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

  • Middle East & Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • South Africa

    • UAE