How Has the In-Flight Catering Services Market Size Evolved in Recent Years?
The in-flight catering services market has seen considerable growth due to a variety of factors.
• The market for in-flight catering services has seen robust growth in the past few years. The market, which was worth $18.06 billion in 2024 is expected to reach the $19.33 billion mark in 2025 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.0%.
This continual growth during the historical period can be accredited to factors such as crisis management, growth in air travel, changes in dietary choices, emphasis on service quality, and the internationalization of food culture.
What is the Market Size Forecast for the In-Flight Catering Services Market?
The in-flight catering services market is expected to maintain its strong growth trajectory in upcoming years.
• The market size for in-flight catering services is projected to witness robust expansion in the upcoming years, escalating to $27.42 billion in 2029 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.1%.
The surge during the forecast period is credited to the adoption of health and safety systems, worldwide proliferation of culinary services, the boom in on-demand services, and the expansion in premium and luxury markets fostered by sustainability and environmentally conscious practices. Key trends expected in the forecast period encompass the growth of on-demand services, customization and personalization, focus on health and wellness, sustainability campaigns, and premium and luxury services.
What Are The Key Drivers Fueling Growth In The In-Flight Catering Services Market?
The in-flight catering services market is set to thrive with the surge in air traffic. The sky-rocketing numbers of air travellers in recent years indicate that more and more people are now financially capable of affording air travel. The transformation in lifestyles and a rise in disposable income has sparked an uptick in air travel for both pleasure and business. In-flight catering has gained significance for travellers, particularly those journeying long distances with network carriers. For example, in January 2024, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), a US-based global airline industry trade association, reported that in 2023, total air travel witnessed a 36.9% increase compared to 2022. Additionally, in December 2023, there was a 24.2% increase in international traffic compared to December 2022, and domestic traffic saw a growth of 27.0% over the previous year. Accordingly, the escalation in air traffic is fuelling the expansion of the in-flight catering services market.
What Are The Major Segments Within The In-Flight Catering Services Market?
The in-flight catering services market covered in this report is segmented –
1) By Aircraft Seating Class: Economy Class, Business Class, First Class
2) By Source: In-house, Outsource
3) By Flight Type: Full Service Carriers, Low Cost Carriers
4) By Food Type: Meal, Bakery and confectionery, Beverage, Other Types
Subsegments:
1) By Economy Class: Meal Options (Standard, Vegetarian, Special Dietary), Snack And Beverage Services, In-Flight Entertainment Snacks
2) By Business Class: Gourmet Meal Options, Premium Snack And Beverage Selection, On-Demand Meal Service
3) By First Class: Fine Dining Experience, Customizable Meal Options, Exclusive Beverages And Snacks, In-Flight Chef Services
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Which Trends Are Expected To Transform The In-Flight Catering Services Market?
A substantial number of businesses in the in-flight catering services industry are devising cutting-edge services such as pre-purchase meal alternatives to increase customer contentment and simplify the process of choosing meals for flyers. The Service of Pre-Purchase Meal Options is a mechanism that allows airline passengers to pick and pay for their meals in advance of their journey. For instance, in March 2022, Icelandair, a company based in Iceland operating in the airline industry, introduced a service of pre-purchase meal options. The pre-purchase menu offers a wide variety of choices like three-course meals that highlight Icelandic and Mediterranean tastes, smorrebrod open sandwiches, vegan and keto meals, and popular options such as the ham and cheese baguette. This service is accessible to economy class travelers on routes from Iceland to Europe and from Iceland to North America. This range meets diverse preferences and dietary needs, ensuring that passengers have enjoyable meal options throughout their trip.
Who Are the Key Players in the In-Flight Catering Services Market?
Major companies operating in the in-flight catering services market include:
• Korean Air Catering Co. Ltd.
• Japan Airlines Catering Service Co. Ltd.
• Cathay Pacific Catering Services Ltd.
• Emirates Flight Catering LLC
• Newrest Group Services SAS
• Ethiopian Airlines Catering Services
• Singapore Airport Terminal Services Ltd.
• Flying Food Group LLC
• DO & CO Luftfahrt-Catering Service GmbH & Co. KG
• Servair S.A.
• EgyptAir In-Flight Services
• Bahrain Airport Services Co. (BAS)
• Air Culinaire Worldwide Inc.
• Air Fayre Ltd.
• Abby's Catering Ltd.
• Gate Gourmet Ltd.
• Journey Group plc
• LSG Group GmbH & Co. KG
• All Nippon Airways Catering Service Co. Ltd.
• AAS Catering (Air Atlanta Catering)
• KLM Catering Services Amsterdam B.V.
• Saudi Airlines Catering Company (SACC)
• Royal In-Flight Catering A/S
• TajSATS Ltd.
• Aerofood Catering Services Ltd.
• Dubai National Air Transport Authority Catering
• Airport Catering Services (ACS)
• TUI Catering Ltd.
• Eurest Catering Ltd.
• Turkish Airlines Catering services
What Is The Most Dominant Region In The In-Flight Catering Services Market?
North America was the largest region in the in-flight catering services market in 2024. The regions covered in the in-flight catering services market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.
