The future of inflight catering is digitally driven and personalized

In partnership with

Inflight catering is undergoing a digital transformation, driven by evolving passenger expectations and AI-powered innovation. Airlines are moving way beyond basic meals to offer personalized, premium catering experiences. At the same time, with tools like Lufthansa’s Tray Tracker and Emirates’ AI-optimized vertical farm, the industry is embracing data-driven decisions and technology to increase efficiency, cut costs, and reduce waste.

Let’s dive in.

Inflight catering is the next frontier of airline innovation

For decades, airline catering has largely been a one-size-fits-all operation. Passengers order “chicken or pasta” and hope for the best. Airlines make educated guesses on how much provisions to load, knowing that much of it will go to waste. The result is unnecessary catering and fuel costs, and less-than-satisfied fliers.

But the status quo is quickly changing, driven by shifting passenger expectations and a wave of digital innovation that is enabling airlines to make data-driven decisions and offer more customized options.

The future of inflight catering is more personal, more sustainable, and more efficient for airlines.

By capturing passenger preferences in advance, airlines can cut waste, control costs, and ensure that customers are satisfied with the food that lands on their tray tables. AI is emerging as one of the most powerful tools for airlines to gain a deeper understanding of customer preferences and plan accordingly. 

Consider the following data points:

• 68% of passengers now expect customized meal options

• 74% of long-haul travelers want gourmet options over standard meals

• Untouched meals currently account for 18% of cabin waste, underscoring the opportunity for greater efficiency

• AI could boost revenue per passenger by 10-15%, while cutting customer service costs by up to 30%

These are big numbers in an industry where margins are tight. The case for a digital transformation of catering operations could not be more compelling. The only question is: Which airlines will grasp this opportunity to move from generic to personalized meal planning, and which ones will be left behind?

INDUSTRY INSIDER

Fiji Airlines overhauls dining service

After officially joining the One World alliance, Fiji Airlines is making massive changes to its inflight dining program. It’s all part of the airline’s effort to put its service on par with the world’s finest carriers. Changes include eliminating pre-set meal times and introducing a personalized Dine on Demand concept in Business Class; as well as unveiling a Pacific Rim-inspired menu. “We’re delivering a fine-dining restaurant-quality experience in the sky,” says airline CEO Andre Viljoen. [Business Traveler]

Global inflight catering market to reach $37B by 2033

A new industry report by Global Growth Insights finds that the worldwide inflight catering market will be fueled by increasing demand for personalization, sustainability-focused offerings, and digital pre-order platforms. The overall market will reach $24.12 billion USD in 2025 and $37.27 billion by 2033, with a CAGR of 5.59%. The report also finds that 36% of carriers are seeking to cut food waste with AI and 47% are leveraging robotic kitchen integration. [Global Growth Insights]

Newrest unveils digital catering factory in Madrid

A major player in international inflight catering, Newrest recently launched a new facility designed to serve 130 flights for 42 customer airlines, with a daily production capacity of 25,000 meals and 1,500 trolleys. The next-gen factory in Spain’s capital city is notable for its use of full automation, advanced robotics, data processing and AI technology. Robots, AI and humans work together to scale production as needed. [Aviation Pros]

Airlines with the best vegan meals

It’s table stakes these days to accommodate passenger preferences for plant-based meals in every cabin, but some airlines are going above and beyond with truly impressive vegan dishes developed by renowned chefs. [Simple Flying]

A word from our partner

Airlines face major challenges in coordinating in-flight catering, as miscommunication between teams can lead to loading errors, delays, and wasted resources. Many still rely on outdated systems like printed documents or emails, which make real-time collaboration difficult.

Modern in-flight catering software streamlines operations by improving communication, reducing errors, and ensuring that meal provisioning runs smoothly—saving both time and money.

IFCS Aviation Galley Planner is the easiest way to monitor and control the operational functions related to inflight catering, menu planning, and galley loading.

TECH CHECK

How AI is helping airlines to meet sustainability goals

AI is coming to the forefront to enable airlines to reduce emissions and waste in almost every aspect of operations. Carriers are leveraging the technology to track food waste, operationalize massive hydroponic farms, and create more sustainable packaging. [Apex]

What can airlines expect from agentic AI?

Flyr, a technology company for airlines and airports, has partnered with Riyadh Air to create what they call the world’s first “digitally-native airline.” In this interview with Airport Technology, Flyr’s product officer talks about shifting to agentic AI as the technology becomes more prevalent and mature. [Airport Technology]

The One Chart You Need to Know

By 2052, China will surpass the U.S. as the world’s biggest market for airline passengers, according to Airports Council International. Interestingly, Indonesia will be one of the strongest regions for growth. Worldwide, the number of passengers is expected to more than double in this period.

Read the rest of the report here.

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