Inflight Catering Services Market Set for Strong Growth to USD 30 Billion by 2031, Led by Asia Pacific's 32% Market Share | DataM Intelligence

The Global Inflight Catering Services Market reached USD 16.3 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 30 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 8.1% during the forecast period 2024-2031.

Market growth is driven by the rebound in global air travel post-pandemic, rising demand for premium in-flight dining experiences, and expansion of low-cost carriers in emerging markets. Advancements in sustainable catering practices, adoption of personalized meal options via AI-driven menus, increasing focus on hygiene and food safety standards, and strategic partnerships between airlines and catering providers are further accelerating market expansion.

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United States: Key Industry Developments
✅ December 2025: Gate Gourmet expanded its U.S. operations with a new sustainable meal prep facility in Atlanta, introducing plant-based and zero-waste inflight menus to align with airline demands for eco-friendly catering amid rising passenger focus on health and environment.

✅ November 2025: LSG Sky Chefs launched AI-optimized portion control systems across major U.S. hubs like Chicago and Dallas, enhancing efficiency and reducing food waste by 25% while customizing meals for premium economy classes.

✅ October 2025: United Airlines partnered with Do & Co for premium inflight catering upgrades, rolling out chef-curated, regionally sourced meals on transcontinental routes to boost passenger satisfaction scores.

Asia Pacific / Japan: Key Industry Developments
✅ December 2025: TajSATS Air Catering in India unveiled a new premium economy meal line using locally sourced organic ingredients, targeting long-haul flights and emphasizing reduced plastic packaging for sustainability.

✅ November 2025: Japan Airlines collaborated with ANA Catering for hypoallergenic, allergen-free inflight options, incorporating advanced cold-chain tech to maintain freshness on Tokyo-Narita routes amid growing health-conscious travel.

✅ October 2025: SATS Ltd. in Singapore introduced automated robotics for meal assembly in its expanded facility, cutting prep time by 30% and supporting increased Asia-Pacific flight volumes with diverse halal and vegan choices.

Key Mergers and Acquisitions:
✅ gategroup expanded its Asian footprint through strategic acquisition of a regional catering provider, solidifying regional dominance and operational scale in inflight services.

✅ Aurelius Group bolstered its aviation catering portfolio by acquiring LSG Group, enhancing global service capabilities and market penetration.

✅ SATS Ltd. transformed into a leading air cargo and catering handler via acquisition of Worldwide Flight Services, amplifying its international inflight catering infrastructure.

Market Segmentation Analysis:
-By Aircraft Seating Class: Economy Class Leads with Volume Demand
Economy Class dominates at 60% market share in 2024, driven by high passenger volumes on mass travel routes prioritizing affordable, standardized meals.
Business Class holds 25%, offering premium multi-course dining to enhance luxury experience.
First Class captures 15%, featuring bespoke gourmet cuisine but limited by low occupancy.

-By Flight Service Type: FSC Retains Premium Edge
Full-Service Carriers (FSC) command 55% share, emphasizing elaborate onboard meals aligning with long-haul comfort.
Low-Cost Carriers (LCC) follow at 45%, focusing on basic snacks to control costs amid budget travel surge.

-By Food Type: Meals Hold Core Position
Meals lead at 50% share, providing essential nutrition via hot/cold options for sustained flights.
Beverages take 25%, including water, juices, and alcohol for hydration and variety.
Bakery & Confectionary account for 15%, offering snacks like pastries for quick energy.
Others (e.g., special diets) claim 10%, catering to allergies and preferences.

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Why is the Inflight Catering Services Market Growing?
The robust growth of the inflight catering services market in 2026 is propelled by several pivotal drivers:

-Air Travel Recovery and Passenger Surge: Post-pandemic rebound in global air traffic, with IATA projecting over 4.7 billion passengers in 2026, boosts demand for premium onboard dining experiences.

-Premiumization and Menu Innovation: Airlines increasingly offer customized, high-end meals with sustainable, health-focused options like plant-based and locally sourced ingredients to enhance passenger satisfaction and loyalty.

-Expansion of Low-Cost Carriers (LCCs) and Long-Haul Routes: Rapid growth in LCC networks and ultra-long-haul flights in emerging markets like Asia-Pacific and Middle East heightens needs for efficient, scalable catering solutions.

-Sustainability Mandates: Airlines' push toward eco-friendly practices, including reduced plastic packaging and waste-minimizing catering, aligns with global ESG regulations and attracts environmentally conscious travelers.

-Technological Advancements: Adoption of AI-optimized inventory management, automation in meal prep, and blockchain for supply chain traceability improves efficiency and cuts operational costs.

Regional Insights:
-Asia Pacific holds the largest share of the inflight catering services market at approximately 31.6-32.12% in recent years, driven by rapid aviation growth in hubs like China, India, and Southeast Asia, alongside expanding passenger traffic and investments in premium services.

-North America follows with a significant but smaller portion, dominating its region through a mature aviation sector, high domestic flight volumes, and strong demand in the U.S. for diverse meal options.

-Europe accounts for the next tier, benefiting from established airlines and regulatory standards, though it trails due to slower growth compared to emerging markets.

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Key Players:
Gate Gourmet | Do & Co | Dnata | Jetfinity | Newrest | Goddard Catering | Air Culinaire Worldwide | Cathay Pacific Inflight Services | LSG Lufthansa Service Holding AG | Emirates Flight Catering | Sats Ltd.

Key Highlights (Top 5 Key Players) for Inflight Catering Services Market:
-Gate Gourmet Do & Co provides premium inflight meal preparation, delivery, and customized catering solutions for major airlines worldwide, specializing in high-end multi-course menus and sustainable sourcing.

-Dnata offers comprehensive inflight catering services including meal production, packaging, and logistics across global airports, with a focus on efficiency and tailored solutions for low-cost and full-service carriers.

-Newrest delivers full-service inflight catering with on-board loading, supply chain management, and menu innovation for over 250 airlines, emphasizing fresh ingredients and regional customization.

-LSG Lufthansa Service Holding AG develops and supplies inflight meals, beverages, and equipment for international carriers, integrating advanced food tech and sustainability practices like waste reduction.

-Emirates Flight Catering operates one of the world's largest inflight kitchens, producing over 225,000 meals daily with premium multi-ethnic menus, automated production lines, and end-to-end services from sourcing to delivery.

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