A look at the changing landscape of In-flight Catering Services

For several decades, chicken & pasta were the only food items offered to flight passengers. However, with advances in technologies, inflight catering services have dramatically evolved over the last few years. Since the time the Covid-19 pandemic surfaced globally, airline companies have started enhancing their appeal to travelers by improving & extending their menus while looking for new ways to encourage more and more passengers to fly.

Vegan & gluten-free diets, along with more sustainable & ethical food options, are being incorporated into flight menus to cater to the rising demands of travelers for local & authentic food. Considering these trends, a recent study by MarkNtel Advisors has projected around 3.65% CAGR for the Global In-flight Catering Services Market during 2021-26. Curious to know the prime aspects that will contribute to the industry expansion?

Well, the increasing number of non-stop & long-haul flights, growing passenger expectations for onboard catering services, and the mounting focus of airlines on customer retention are the most prominent reasons the industry is likely to expand in the years ahead. Of all flight types, these trends would be seen mainly in LCC (Low-Cost Carrier) flights, as a large number of consumers prefer low-fare & non-stop flights.

So, what’s new in In-Flight Catering Services Post Covid-19?

Despite an unexpected turn of events in airline operations caused due to the Covid-19 pandemic, safety remains paramount. In addition to all SOPs like face masks, gloves, & aprons, food temperatures are another addition & being excessively measured, even by the flight crew, in order to ensure that all meals are free from contamination and their quality & taste aren't compromised at any moment. Besides food temperature monitoring, some special meal requests for children and people with diabetes or other health conditions are also being handled in places away from other items, which ensures that meals are safely prepared and abide by stringent guidelines.

Furthermore, as times have changed, inflight catering services today include extensive menus, like a wide range of appetizers, hot & cold desserts, different types of tea & coffee, etc. More & more airline companies have also realized the significance of offering plant-based food and have included the same in their menus. In-flight catering service providers are also focusing on specific ingredients as per the latest trends to serve onboard customers satisfying yet balanced meals.

Moreover, pre-order meals, sustainable food production, full-fledged sanitization, local partnerships, transparency with ingredients & nutrition information, on-demand onboard ordering, and contactless payments are a few prominent trends likely to be implemented across all airlines in the nearer future.

Despite the fierce competition, the leading companies in the global in-flight catering services market are making strategic alliances and executing acquisitions & mergers to advance developments in the industry. In March 2022, dnata, one of the world’s largest air & travel services providers, was appointed to handle EasyJet’s inflight catering services across the airline’s extensive network. The partnership will see the leader deliver a comprehensive set of services, viz. food, beverages, duty-free, retail, product development, procurement, marketing, and cabin crew engagement, among others, to EasyJet.

What can we expect from In-Flight Caterers in the Future?

At present & among all regions globally, Asia-Pacific tops the chart in providing excellent in-flight catering services. The increasing number of airline operators, enhanced living standards, the growing focus of airlines on providing customer-centric food menus, rapid urbanization, and a rapid rise in medical tourism & international travel in India, China, & Vietnam are all responsible for Asia-Pacific leading the industry.

Innovations are helping in-flight caterers offer the highest quality meals to onboard customers. The significant rise in international air travel for both work & leisure as the world economy is strengthening, coupled with shifting consumer preferences for onboard meals, will continue prospering the in-flight catering service market over the years.Airline meals are now being tailor-made to cater to the varied consumer requirements while ensuring top-notch standards in terms of flavor, hygiene, and safety, in addition to diversity & excellent presentation. These trends are set to create new avenues for in-flight catering service providers to expand their service offerings and attain a much larger consumer base in the years ahead, which, in turn, would prove highly beneficial for the overall industry.

Read Press Release - https://www.marknteladvisors.com/press-release/rising-number-of-air-fleets-and-passenger-traffic-supporting-in-flight-catering-services-market-growth

For more Information get connect with our expertise at -

???[email protected]

??+1 604 800 2671?+91 120 4185243