In-Flight Catering Services Market Report 2026

The in-flight catering services market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $19.25 billion in 2025 to $21 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of global air travel volumes, growth of full-service airline operations, increasing passenger expectations for meal quality, expansion of airline route networks, standardization of airline catering operations.

The in-flight catering services market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $29.45 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to recovery of international air travel, rising demand for premium and personalized meal options, expansion of low-cost carrier meal services, increased adoption of eco-friendly catering materials, growing use of digital meal planning systems. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing demand for customized meal offerings, rising focus on sustainable in-flight packaging, expansion of outsourced catering services, growing use of automation in meal preparation, enhanced emphasis on food safety and quality.

Increased air traffic is expected to drive the growth of the in-flight catering services market. In recent years, air travel has surged, reflecting that more individuals can afford to fly. Changing lifestyles and rising disposable incomes have fueled demand for air travel for both leisure and business purposes. In-flight catering has become essential for travelers, particularly on long-haul routes served by network carriers. For example, in January 2024, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), a US-based trade association for the global airline industry, reported that total air travel traffic in 2023 rose 36.9% compared to 2022. Additionally, in December 2023, international traffic increased by 24.2% over December 2022, while domestic traffic grew 27% year-on-year. Therefore, rising air traffic is supporting the expansion of the in-flight catering services market.

Major players in the in-flight catering services market are actively pursuing strategic collaborations as a means to offer dependable services to their customers. Strategic collaborations involve mutually beneficial partnerships between independent entities, working together toward shared objectives that align with their respective strategic goals. For instance, in August 2023, Oman Air, a luxury airline based in Oman, announced a partnership with In-Flight Catering Software TCI LTD (IFCS), a software provider in Providenciales specializing in the aviation industry. The collaboration aims to enhance the airline's in-flight catering operations by integrating IFCS's cutting-edge Recipe Costing and HACCP Compliance Monitoring Software with advanced Galley Loading and Planning Software. These sophisticated solutions are intended to streamline the airline's catering processes, improve overall efficiency, and fortify compliance protocols.

In November 2023, Aurelius Group, a Germany-based asset management firm, acquired LSG Group for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition enables Aurelius Group to capitalize on growth opportunities within the aviation sector and pursue its three-pillar strategy, which emphasizes expansion in classic airline catering, onboard retail, and food commerce. LSG Group is a Germany-based aviation services company that includes in-flight catering services in its offerings.

Major companies operating in the in-flight catering services market are 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., 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, KLM Catering Services Amsterdam B.V., Saudi Airlines Catering Company, Royal In-Flight Catering A/S, TajSATS Ltd., Aerofood Catering Services Ltd., Dubai National Air Transport Authority Catering, Airport Catering Services, TUI Catering Ltd., Turkish Airlines Catering Services.

North America was the largest region in the in-flight catering services market in 2025. The regions covered in the in-flight catering services market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the in-flight catering services market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.

The in-flight catering services market includes revenues earned by entities by providing flight dine food services, meal services, raw material handling services. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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