Europe Inflight Catering Market Size (2024 - 2029)

The Europe Inflight Catering Market is projected to experience significant growth over the forecast period, driven by the recovery of passenger traffic to pre-pandemic levels and the reintroduction of inflight catering services. The market's expansion is influenced by the emphasis on enhancing food quality and offerings, particularly for economy class passengers, who play a crucial role in airline revenue. To maintain and increase their market share, airlines are increasingly collaborating with renowned chefs to offer specialized menu items, thereby differentiating their services in a competitive landscape.

Home Market Analysis Aerospace & Defense Research Airport Operations Research Inflight Catering Research Europe Commercial In-Flight Catering Industry Market Size

Market Size of Europe Inflight Catering Industry

Europe Inflight Catering Market Summary
Study Period 2019 - 2029
Base Year For Estimation 2023
Market Size (2024) USD 3.86 Billion
Market Size (2029) USD 5.47 Billion
CAGR (2024 - 2029) 7.21 %
Market Concentration Medium

Major Players

Europe Inflight Catering Market Major Players

*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

Europe Inflight Catering Services Market Analysis

The Europe Inflight Catering Market size is estimated at USD 3.86 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 5.47 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 7.21% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

The European region is one of the major aviation industries that was severely impacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Airlines in the region decreased their aircraft operations significantly and restricted their inflight services, including catering services. Nevertheless, in 2021, passenger traffic witnessed an increase compared to the previous year, and a full recovery is expected by 2024. As passenger traffic returned to pre-COVID-19 levels, the airlines in the region gradually reintroduced inflight catering menus.

In the European region, the focus on food quality and offerings are more pronounced toward the economy class of the airlines. Economy class passengers contribute to airline revenue, and they continue to be the most important class of passengers for carriers. To maintain their shares, most carriers are in the process of improving the quality of food served.

Due to growing competition in profitable long-distance routes, airlines are collaborating with famous chefs to differentiate their service offerings with specialized menu items. Partnering with star chefs can help airlines carve out special dishes to attract passengers and increase market share. 

Europe Inflight Catering Services Industry Segmentation

Inflight food is the food served to passengers onboard a commercial airliner. Specialist airline catering services prepare these meals and usually serve them to passengers using an airline service trolley.

The Europe inflight catering market is segmented by seating class, flight type, food type, and country. By seating class, the market is segmented into economy class, business class, and first class. By flight type, the market is segmented into full-service carriers (FSCS) and low-cost carriers (LCCs). By food type, the market is classified as meals, bakery and confectionery, beverages, and other food types. 

The report offers the market size and forecasts by value (USD million) for all the above segments.

Food Type
Meals
Bakery and Confectionary
Beverages
Other Food Types
Flight Type
Full-service Carriers
Low-cost Carriers
Aircraft Seating Class
Economy Class
Business Class
First Class
Geography
United Kingdom
Germany
France
Russia
Italy
Spain
Rest of Europe
Need A Different Region Or Segment?
Customize Now

Europe Inflight Catering Market Size Summary

The European inflight catering market is poised for significant growth, driven by the recovery of the aviation sector post-COVID-19. The region, which faced substantial challenges during the pandemic, is witnessing a resurgence in passenger traffic, prompting airlines to gradually reintroduce and enhance their inflight catering services. The focus is particularly on improving food quality and offerings for economy class passengers, who are crucial for airline revenue. To differentiate their services and attract more passengers, airlines are increasingly collaborating with renowned chefs to offer specialized menu items. The bakery and confectionery segment remains dominant, reflecting the regional preference for baked goods, which is expected to continue its prominence in the market.

The market landscape in Europe is moderately consolidated, with major players like Gategroup, KLM Catering Services, and DO & CO Aktiengesellschaft leading the charge. These companies have expanded their market presence through strategic acquisitions and partnerships, such as Gategroup's acquisition of LSG Group's European operations. The introduction of new technologies and cost-cutting measures is also helping catering companies enhance operational efficiencies. In the United Kingdom, airlines are focusing on improving food offerings based on seasonal and destination-specific preferences, with significant investments aimed at boosting inflight retail services. These developments are anticipated to drive revenue growth in the region over the forecast period.

Explore More

Europe Inflight Catering Market Size - Table of Contents

  1. 1. MARKET DYNAMICS

    1. 1.1 Market Overview

    2. 1.2 Market Drivers

    3. 1.3 Market Restraints

    4. 1.4 Industry Attractiveness - Porter's Five Forces Analysis

      1. 1.4.1 Threat of New Entrants

      2. 1.4.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers

      3. 1.4.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers

      4. 1.4.4 Threat of Substitute Products

      5. 1.4.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry

  2. 2. MARKET SEGMENTATION

    1. 2.1 Food Type

      1. 2.1.1 Meals

      2. 2.1.2 Bakery and Confectionary

      3. 2.1.3 Beverages

      4. 2.1.4 Other Food Types

    2. 2.2 Flight Type

      1. 2.2.1 Full-service Carriers

      2. 2.2.2 Low-cost Carriers

    3. 2.3 Aircraft Seating Class

      1. 2.3.1 Economy Class

      2. 2.3.2 Business Class

      3. 2.3.3 First Class

    4. 2.4 Geography

      1. 2.4.1 United Kingdom

      2. 2.4.2 Germany

      3. 2.4.3 France

      4. 2.4.4 Russia

      5. 2.4.5 Italy

      6. 2.4.6 Spain

      7. 2.4.7 Rest of Europe

Europe Inflight Catering Market Size FAQs

The Europe Inflight Catering Market size is expected to reach USD 3.86 billion in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 7.21% to reach USD 5.47 billion by 2029.

In 2024, the Europe Inflight Catering Market size is expected to reach USD 3.86 billion.

Europe Airport Catering Services Market Report Snapshots

Europe Inflight Catering Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2024 - 2029)