North America Inflight Catering Market Research Report: Forecast (2025-2030)

Market Definition

In-flight catering services include a variety of cuisines such as meals, bakery & confectionary, beverages, snacks, and so on, which are supplied to passengers boarding the flight. Airlines' meals frequently vary according to different food cultures to accommodate the unique tastes and preferences of passengers from various locations and backgrounds.

Market Insights & Analysis: North America Inflight Catering Market (2025-30):

The North America Inflight Catering Market size is valued at around USD 3.48 billion in 2024 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 12.4% during the forecast period, i.e., 2025-30. The market growth is attributed to a sudden increase in domestic and international flight travelers, primarily as a result of rising disposable incomes in developing countries, changing lifestyles, and increased urbanization. Also, the global aviation industry's ongoing expansion is driving up demand for inflight catering services in North America.

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In addition, as airlines continue to focus on passenger satisfaction, superior inflight services, including catering, have gained popularity. Numerous organizations are collaborating with renowned chefs to create customized and unique dining options in order to cater to various food preferences and cultural backgrounds, positively influencing the dynamics of the Inflight Catering Services Market in North America. For Instance:

• In 2023, VistaJet partnered with a Michelin-starred chef, Nobu Matusuhisa, to provide better food to the customers. The dish, only available to VistaJet clients, is a special treat prepared for passengers flying on the iconic fleet of silver and red planes.

Furthermore, by providing outstanding food and beverage selections as well as pre-ordered meal alternatives, airlines assure an enriched passenger experience while allowing passengers to differentiate an airline from its competitors. This, in turn, gives market participants a competitive advantage, securing profitable opportunities for them. The development of low-cost carriers and the expansion of international routes fuel market growth due to the widespread acceptance of inflight meals as a value-added service in attracting & maintaining consumers. For Instance:

• In 2022, Porter Airlines unveiled a new travel experience by featuring complimentary beer & wine, along with a selection of premium snacks as part of the journey.

Thus, the rising international and domestic travelers coupled with airlines providing premium quality food options to the customers are augmenting the market growth and are expected to create immense opportunities in the forecast period

North America Inflight Catering Market Driver:  

Rapid Growth in Air Travelers Pushing Airlines to Prioritize Customer Satisfaction – The rising disposable incomes and increasing tourism have led to increased air traveling in the region. As the number of individuals choosing to fly continues to grow, improving the overall flying experience has become critical. Therefore, several airlines aim to deliver a better onboard experience, including high-quality meals and refreshments. A wide range of catering choices, from regular meal services to specialty menus, have also been provided by the companies, hence driving the North America Inflight Catering Market. In addition, the airlines are providing a wide range of food options, such as the availability of vegan, gluten-free, and halal meal options, to cater to a varied spectrum of passengers. For Instance:

• In 2023, Porter Airlines upgraded its offering by including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options in its menu for the passengers traveling on the flight.

Thus, the in-flight catering services illustrate air travelers' increasing expectations as well as the industry's commitment to accommodating a wide range of dietary choices and requirements, which is expected to drive the growth of the North America Inflight Catering Market. 

North America Inflight Catering Market Opportunity:

Increasing Adoption of Robotics in Flight Food Manufacturing –  The rise in air travelers in the region has resulted in an increased demand for large amounts of inflight food for consumers. To cater to this increasing demand, companies are adopting robotics in their food manufacturing process to produce the large amount of food required. The robots ensure the quality, hygiene, and food safety of the individuals, along with minimizing the labor cost for the companies. For Instance:

• In 2023, Dnata introduced its new robot for inflight food preparation. The robot recreates identical dishes at scale by following pre-recorded chef instructions with high efficiency.

Thus, the inclusion of robotics in food manufacturing by various inflight catering services owing to low labor costs and faster food production with high accuracy can create profitable growth opportunities in the North America Inflight Catering Market. 

North America Inflight Catering Market Challenge:

Creating Delectable Inflight Meals with Altitude Constraints & Mass Production – The fundamental difficulty for inflight catering suppliers is to create foods that retain their characteristics and appeal to passengers' taste buds at high altitudes. The lower humidity levels and air pressure weaken the sense of smell and taste, making it difficult to distinguish flavors. In addition, to ensure safety & efficiency, many airline meals are pre-cooked, packaged, and reheated, which affects the texture & flavor of the food. As a result, in-flight caterers must create dishes that are slightly saltier, spicier, and sweeter than restaurant fare. However, reproducing flavor and quality on a big scale while maintaining consistency is a significant challenge for the North America Inflight Catering Service Market.

North America Inflight Catering Market Trend:

Rising Collaboration with Local Restaurants & Celebrity Chefs to Elelvate the Industry Expansion – Inflight catering companies such as Gate Gourmet, Dnata, etc., are collaborating with local restaurants and celebrity chefs to improve the overall passenger experience. Further, to infuse a touch of gourmet excellence, airlines are collaborating with renowned chefs to design signature dishes for their menus. In addition, many collaborations focus on sourcing ingredients locally, which aligns with the growing emphasis on sustainability in the aviation industry.

Moreover, the strategic alliance brings culinary expertise onboard, allowing passengers to relish dishes designed by celebrity chefs. Thus, the changing menus, gourmet food experience, and customized options significantly affect the overall inflight catering industry and serve as a major trend in the North America Inflight Catering Market.

North America Inflight Catering Market (2025-30): Segmentation Analysis

The North America Inflight Catering Market study by MarkNtel Advisors evaluates & highlights the major trends & influencing factors in each segment. It includes predictions for the period 2025–2030 at the global level. As per the analysis, the market has been further classified as:

Based on Food Type:

• Meals
• Bakery & Confectionary
• Beverages
• Others (Snacks, Fruit Platters, etc.)

The Meals segment is expected to hold a major share in the North America Inflight Catering Market during the forecast period, owing to higher demand for ready-to-eat meals created exclusively for tourists. These simple food alternatives meet the needs of busy customers, especially those on long continuous flights. Aside from convenience, the popularity of such meals stems from a growing demand among consumers for healthier and more nutritious options that match their dietary preferences, indicating a growing emphasis on personal health and wellness.

As a result, companies are developing novel meal solutions that combine convenience, cultural diversity, and nutritional excellence, thereby improving the overall dining experience for airline passengers and significantly benefiting the in-flight catering services market during the forecast period.

Based on Flight Type:

• Full-service Carriers
• Low-cost Carriers
• Hybrid

Full-service Carriers account for the largest share of the North America Inflight Catering Market. Travelers who enjoy additional amenities such as in-flight entertainment, complimentary meals, and a larger network of destinations are driving up demand for catering services in FSCs. These airlines often provide better services, such as more comfortable seating and a specialized cabin crew on long-haul & nonstop trips. Thus, as a result of the increased number of long-haul flights, demand for meals has supplemented, promoting total market growth.

North America Inflight Catering Market (2025-2030): Country Projection

Geographically, the North America Inflight Catering Market expands across:

• The US
• Canada
• Mexico

The US is presumed to capture a notable share of the North America Inflight Catering Market in the forthcoming years owing to the increasing number of domestic flights creating demand for inflight catering services. Inflight catering companies such as Newrest, LSG, etc., offer high-quality food with varied food options to consumers in the US as per their demand. Moreover, the companies provide lunch, pre-arrival meals, fruits, and beverages, among others, to travelers, further augmenting the growth of the US Inflight Catering Market.

North America Inflight Catering Industry Recent Developments:

• 2022: Flying Food Group, announced the expansion of their catering services by catering double daily Lufthansa flights between New York JFK and Frankfurt and Munich.
• 2021: Newrest, announced their flight operations with Delta Airlines and United Airlines in the US.

Gain a Competitive Edge with Our North America Inflight Catering Market Report

• North America Inflight Catering Market Report by MarkNtel Advisors provides a detailed & thorough analysis of market size, growth rate, competitive landscape, and key players. This comprehensive analysis helps business organizations to gain a holistic understanding of the market dynamics & make informed decisions.
• This report also highlights current market trends & future projections, allowing business organizations to identify emerging opportunities & potential challenges. By understanding market forecasts, companies can align their strategies & stay ahead of the competition.
• North America Inflight Catering Market Report aids in assessing & mitigating risks associated with entering or operating in the market. By understanding market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and potential challenges, business organizations can develop strategies to minimize risks & optimize their operations.

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