In Flight Catering Services Market Dynamics and Trends by 2031
Historic Data: 2021-2022 | Base Year: 2023 | Forecast Period: 2024-2031In Flight Catering Services Market Size and Forecast (2021 - 2031), Global and Regional Share, Trend, and Growth Opportunity Analysis Report Coverage: By Catering Service (In-house and Outsourced), Catering Type (Full Meal and Snacks), Aircraft Class (First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy), and Flight Type (Full Service Carrier and Low Cost Carrier) and Geography
- Report Date : Mar 2026
- Report Code : TIPAD00002360
- Category : Aerospace and Defense
- Status : Data Released
- Available Report Formats :

- No. of Pages : 150
The In Flight Catering Services Market size is projected to reach US$ 22.41 billion by 2031 from US$ 12.38 billion in 2023. The market is expected to register a CAGR of 7.7% in 2023–2031. The growing requirement for food and beverage services on board for long-distance flights and rising consumer preference for airline travel are anticipated to drive the growth of in flight catering services market globally over the forecast period. The rising technological advancement in terms of ordering and payment convenience in the in flight catering services sector is driving the growth of in flight catering services market at the global level.
In Flight Catering Services Market Analysis
In flight catering services reference the food and beverages that airlines provide to their customers as onboard services. The growing consumer focus on additional service offerings apart from basic airline service offerings is anticipated to drive the market globally. Customers are opting for in flight catering services for long-haul and even short-distance travel, which is anticipated to influence the market positively. In long-haul flights, in flight catering services play a key role in customer engagement, which primarily distinguishes the particular airline from other service providers in the market.
In Flight Catering Services Market Overview
The growing consumer preference for airline travel for long or short-distance travel, along with the rising preference for catering services specifically for unusual time flight timings, are acting as major drivers for the in flight catering services market. The growing consumer focus on time-saving and convenient journeys is also anticipated to drive the growth of in flight catering service market globally. The high cost of food products and concern about the nutritious value of the canned food products may impede market growth of in flight catering services. However, the increasing number of domestic and international passengers may act as a major opportunity for the in flight catering service market.
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In Flight Catering Services Market: Strategic Insights
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In Flight Catering Services Market Drivers and Opportunities
Growing Number of Air Travel Passenger is Expected to be the Prime Driver for the In Flight Catering Services Market
The growing traveler’s preference for air travel for short or long distances is acting as a major driver for the in flight catering services market globally. The increasing consumer demand for additional services, such as lucrative food and beverage options and infant meal options in long haul travels, is also having a major positive influence on the market. Air travel saves time and effort, which is a growing consumer preference for airline travel. The rising number of air travelers around the world is driving the growth of the market globally.
Growing Airline Spending on In-Flight Catering Services
The airlines are more focused on the services to cater to a larger client base and entice new consumers. Services and amenities offered by the airlines play a noteworthy role in attracting customers. Comfortable seats, wide leg space, comfortable cabin temperature, and lucrative food and beverage offerings are some of the basic services customers are entitled to get with the purchase of tickets. Apart from the general services, the customers are also demanding good quality food and beverage options in long- and short-time travels. The airline service providers are investing more in procuring high-quality food items and snacks with a variety of options for their customers to provide better onboard services, which is anticipated to boost the growth of the market over the forecast period.
In Flight Catering Services Market Report Segmentation Analysis
Key segments that contributed to the derivation of the in flight catering services market analysis are catering service, catering type, aircraft class, and flight type.
- Based on the catering service, the market has been divided into in-house and outsourced. The in-house segment held a larger market share in 2023.
- In terms of catering type, the market has been segmented into full meal and snacks. The full meal dominated the market in 2023.
- In terms of aircraft class, the market has been segmented into first class, business class, premium economy, and economy. The economy segments dominated the market in 2023.
- In terms of flight type, the market has been segmented into full service carrier and low cost carrier. The full service segments dominated the market in 2023.
In Flight Catering Services Market Share Analysis by Geography
The geographic scope of the In Flight Catering Services Market report is mainly divided into five regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America.
Europe led the in flight catering services market in 2023. The Europe region includes the UK, Italy, Germany, France, and Russia. High investment in high-quality food options for the airline sector is acting as a major driver for the market. The high presence of airlines and major in flight catering service providers are also driving the growth of the market in Europe.
In Flight Catering Services Market Regional InsightsThe regional trends and factors influencing the In Flight Catering Services Market throughout the forecast period have been thoroughly explained by the analysts at The Insight Partners. This section also discusses In Flight Catering Services Market segments and geography across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and South and Central America.
In Flight Catering Services Market Report Scope
| Report Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Market size in 2023 | US$ 12.38 Billion |
| Market Size by 2031 | US$ 22.41 Billion |
| Global CAGR (2023 - 2031) | 7.7% |
| Historical Data | 2021-2022 |
| Forecast period | 2024-2031 |
| Segments Covered |
By Catering Service
|
| Regions and Countries Covered |
North America
|
| Market leaders and key company profiles |
|
In Flight Catering Services Market Players Density: Understanding Its Impact on Business Dynamics
The In Flight Catering Services Market is growing rapidly, driven by increasing end-user demand due to factors such as evolving consumer preferences, technological advancements, and greater awareness of the product's benefits. As demand rises, businesses are expanding their offerings, innovating to meet consumer needs, and capitalizing on emerging trends, which further fuels market growth.
- Get the In Flight Catering Services Market top key players overview
In Flight Catering Services Market News and Recent Developments
The In Flight Catering Services Market is evaluated by gathering qualitative and quantitative data post primary and secondary research, which includes important corporate publications, association data, and databases. The following is a list of developments in the market for In Flight Catering Services Market and strategies:
- On July 2022, Emirates Flight Catering inaugurated one of the largest vertical farms in Dubai. (Source: Emirates Flight Catering, Press Release/Company Website/Newsletter)
- On April 2023, Deutsche Lufthansa AG sold its airline catering firm to a private equity company named Aurelius Group. (Source: Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Press Release/Company Website/Newsletter)
In Flight Catering Services Market Report Coverage and Deliverables
The “In Flight Catering Services Market Size and Forecast (2021–2031)” report provides a detailed analysis of the market covering below areas:
- Market size and forecast at global, regional, and country levels for all the key market segments covered under the scope
- Market dynamics such as drivers, restraints, and key opportunities
- Key future trends
- Detailed PEST analysis
- Global and regional market analysis covering key market trends, major players, regulations, and recent market developments
- Industry landscape and competition analysis covering market concentration, heat map analysis, prominent players, and recent developments
- Detailed company profiles with SWOT analysis
Naveen is an experienced market research and consulting professional with over 9 years of expertise across custom, syndicated, and consulting projects. Currently serving as Associate Vice President, he has successfully managed stakeholders across the project value chain and has authored over 100 research reports and 30+ consulting assignments. His work spans across industrial and government projects, contributing significantly to client success and data-driven decision-making.
Naveen holds an Engineering degree in Electronics & Communication from VTU, Karnataka, and an MBA in Marketing & Operations from Manipal University. He has been an active IEEE member for 9 years, participating in conferences, technical symposiums, and volunteering at both section and regional levels. Prior to his current role, he worked as an Associate Strategic Consultant at IndustryARC and as an Industrial Server Consultant at Hewlett Packard (HP Global).
- Historical Analysis (2 Years), Base Year, Forecast (7 Years) with CAGR
- PEST and SWOT Analysis
- Market Size Value / Volume - Global, Regional, Country
- Industry and Competitive Landscape
- Excel Dataset
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