AI, premium service shape competition in in-flight catering

By AI, Created 5:25 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – A new Business Research Company report says the in-flight catering services market is moderately fragmented, with Emirates Flight Catering leading global sales in 2024 at 4% share. Competition is being reshaped by AI-powered cooking robots, premium meal customization, and tighter logistics and food-safety requirements.

Why it matters: - In-flight catering is becoming a technology-and-service race, not just a food procurement business. - Airlines want better meal quality, tighter consistency, and more customized dining options. - Suppliers that can improve efficiency while meeting strict aviation food-safety rules are better positioned to win contracts and expand internationally.

What happened: - The Business Research Company said Emirates Flight Catering LLC led global sales in 2024 with a 4% market share. - The report said the market is moderately fragmented, with the top 10 players accounting for 29% of total revenue in 2024. - The report highlighted competition among global aviation caterers and specialized onboard hospitality providers. - Major players named in the market include DO & CO Luftfahrt-Catering Service GmbH & Co. KG, LSG Group GmbH & Co. KG, Newrest Group Services SAS, Gate Gourmet Ltd., Servair S.A., Singapore Airport Terminal Services Ltd., Saudi Airlines Catering Company, Bahrain Airport Services Co., and Flying Food Group LLC.

The details: - Emirates Flight Catering’s catering and hospitality division provides onboard meal solutions, beverage services, logistics support, and premium hospitality offerings. - The report said leading companies are building share through diversified service portfolios, airline partnerships, global operating networks, and ongoing innovation. - The report said market barriers remain moderate because of food-safety standards, aviation compliance requirements, logistics complexity, and the need for reliability. - The market’s leading-share list includes Emirates Flight Catering LLC, DO & CO Luftfahrt-Catering Service GmbH & Co. KG, LSG Group GmbH & Co. KG, Newrest Group Services SAS, Gate Gourmet Ltd., Servair S.A., Singapore Airport Terminal Services Ltd., Saudi Airlines Catering Company, Bahrain Airport Services Co., and Flying Food Group LLC. - The report also listed major raw material suppliers, wholesalers and distributors, and airline end users across the market. - The report cited large suppliers including Nestlé, Unilever, The Kraft Heinz Company, PepsiCo, The Coca-Cola Company, Tyson Foods, Cargill, and Archer Daniels Midland. - The report named major distributors including Sysco, US Foods, Performance Food Group, Bidfood, METRO AG, Gordon Food Service, and DHL Supply Chain. - The report listed major end users including Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Lufthansa Group, Air France-KLM, International Airlines Group, Emirates Group, Qatar Airways Group, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Turkish Airlines, Etihad Airways, ANA Holdings, Japan Airlines, Qantas, Air India, InterGlobe Aviation, Ryanair, easyJet, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Air Group, Virgin Atlantic, Saudia, Malaysia Airlines, and Thai Airways. - The report includes two purchase links: Request a free sample and Access the detailed market report.

Between the lines: - The clearest competitive advantage is shifting toward systems that combine scale, precision, and flexibility. - The report’s emphasis on customization and service consistency suggests airlines are treating catering as part of the passenger experience, not a back-office function. - The moderate fragmentation also leaves room for regional operators and niche specialists to win business through service innovation or local partnerships. - Artificial intelligence-powered cooking robots are emerging as a visible differentiator. - Dubai National Air Travel Agency showcased an advanced cooking robot at WTCE in Hamburg in May 2024. - The robot features wok-style motions for Asian cuisine, precision seasoning controls, and automated cleaning functions.

What’s next: - Companies are expected to keep expanding service contracts, upgrading catering infrastructure, and adding robotics and automation. - Premium meal offerings and regional expansion are likely to remain key competitive themes. - Airlines and caterers that can combine lower operating friction with better onboard dining experiences are likely to gain an edge.

The bottom line: - In-flight catering competition is moving toward tech-enabled, premium, and highly reliable service models, with automation becoming a bigger part of the playbook.