Market overview
The global in flight catering market is worth USD 20.9 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 35.6 bn by 2036, growing at a 5.5% CAGR. United States is the largest country market and Economy is the largest by service class segment.
| Scope | Meals, snacks, beverages and related galley services prepared by catering companies and sold to airlines for service on passenger flights, covering full-service, low-cost and charter carriers. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Travel and Tourism |
| Value 2025 | USD 19.5 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 20.9 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 35.6 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 5.5% |
| Volume 2026 | 5,665 million meals |
| Volume 2036 | 7,938 million meals |
| Average price 2026 | USD 3.68 per meal |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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In Flight Catering market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 20.9 bn |
| 2027 | USD 22.0 bn |
| 2028 | USD 23.2 bn |
| 2029 | USD 24.5 bn |
| 2030 | USD 25.8 bn |
| 2031 | USD 27.3 bn |
| 2032 | USD 28.8 bn |
| 2033 | USD 30.4 bn |
| 2034 | USD 32.0 bn |
| 2035 | USD 33.8 bn |
| 2036 | USD 35.6 bn |
In Flight Catering market segmentation
By service class
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | 62.0% | 61.8% | USD 12.9 bn | 5.5% |
| Premium economy | 8.0% | 9.6% | USD 1.7 bn | 7.5% |
| Business | 22.0% | 21.9% | USD 4.6 bn | 5.5% |
| First | 8.0% | 6.6% | USD 1.7 bn | 3.5% |
By flight type
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short-haul | 38.0% | 36.2% | USD 7.9 bn | 5.0% |
| Medium-haul | 24.0% | 24.0% | USD 5.0 bn | 5.5% |
| Long-haul | 38.0% | 39.8% | USD 7.9 bn | 6.0% |
By product
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hot meals | 58.0% | 56.1% | USD 12.1 bn | 5.1% |
| Cold meals and sandwiches | 14.0% | 14.2% | USD 2.9 bn | 5.6% |
| Snacks and bakery | 12.0% | 12.8% | USD 2.5 bn | 6.1% |
| Beverages and bar supplies | 16.0% | 17.0% | USD 3.3 bn | 6.1% |
By airline type
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service carriers | 62.0% | 58.0% | USD 12.9 bn | 4.8% |
| Low-cost carriers | 24.0% | 28.0% | USD 5.0 bn | 7.1% |
| Charter operators | 14.0% | 14.0% | USD 2.9 bn | 5.5% |
By catering model
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Third-party caterers | 68.0% | 66.0% | USD 14.2 bn | 5.2% |
| Airline in-house kitchens | 20.0% | 18.0% | USD 4.2 bn | 4.4% |
| Buy-on-board partners | 12.0% | 16.0% | USD 2.5 bn | 8.6% |
Top 25 countries for in flight catering by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 62.5% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 87.2%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | USD 3.5 bn | 17.0% | USD 5.6 bn | 4.6% |
| 2 | China | USD 2.9 bn | 14.0% | USD 5.5 bn | 6.6% |
| 3 | United Kingdom | USD 1.1 bn | 5.5% | USD 1.7 bn | 4.1% |
| 4 | United Arab Emirates | USD 1.0 bn | 5.0% | USD 1.9 bn | 6.1% |
| 5 | Germany | USD 939 mn | 4.5% | USD 1.4 bn | 4.0% |
| 6 | India | USD 835 mn | 4.0% | USD 1.9 bn | 8.5% |
| 7 | Japan | USD 730 mn | 3.5% | USD 1.0 bn | 3.5% |
| 8 | France | USD 730 mn | 3.5% | USD 1.1 bn | 4.2% |
| 9 | Turkey | USD 626 mn | 3.0% | USD 1.2 bn | 6.5% |
| 10 | Brazil | USD 522 mn | 2.5% | USD 891 mn | 5.5% |
| 11 | Singapore | USD 505 mn | 2.4% | USD 877 mn | 5.7% |
| 12 | Qatar | USD 505 mn | 2.4% | USD 909 mn | 6.0% |
| 13 | Spain | USD 505 mn | 2.4% | USD 877 mn | 5.7% |
| 14 | Italy | USD 505 mn | 2.4% | USD 877 mn | 5.7% |
| 15 | Australia | USD 457 mn | 2.2% | USD 791 mn | 5.6% |
| 16 | Canada | USD 411 mn | 2.0% | USD 713 mn | 5.7% |
| 17 | Hong Kong | USD 371 mn | 1.8% | USD 642 mn | 5.6% |
| 18 | South Korea | USD 334 mn | 1.6% | USD 577 mn | 5.6% |
| 19 | Thailand | USD 300 mn | 1.4% | USD 520 mn | 5.7% |
| 20 | Saudi Arabia | USD 271 mn | 1.3% | USD 499 mn | 6.3% |
| 21 | Mexico | USD 244 mn | 1.2% | USD 421 mn | 5.6% |
| 22 | Netherlands | USD 219 mn | 1.1% | USD 378 mn | 5.6% |
| 23 | Malaysia | USD 196 mn | 0.9% | USD 342 mn | 5.7% |
| 24 | Indonesia | USD 177 mn | 0.8% | USD 328 mn | 6.3% |
| 25 | Russia | USD 159 mn | 0.8% | USD 274 mn | 5.6% |
| Rest of world | USD 2.7 bn | 12.8% | USD 4.4 bn | 5.3% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- Gate Gourmet
- dnata
- LSG Sky Chefs
- Newrest
- DO & CO
- SATS
- Emirates Flight Catering
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Servair
- Alpha Flight Services
- Flying Food Group
- Saudi Airlines Catering
- Qatar Aircraft Catering Company
- Taj SATS Air Catering
- Beijing Air Catering
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Air Culinaire Worldwide
- Journey Group
- Cathay Pacific Catering Services
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the in flight catering market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 5.5% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by service class, by flight type, by product, by airline type, by catering model. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the in flight catering market?
The global in flight catering market is estimated at USD 19.5 bn in 2025 and USD 20.9 bn in 2026.
How fast will the in flight catering market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 35.6 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 5.5% from 2026, an increase of USD 14.8 bn.
Which country is the largest market for in flight catering?
United States is the largest market by revenue at USD 3.5 bn in 2026, 17.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 36.5%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, India is growing fastest at 8.5% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which in flight catering segment is largest?
In the by service class split, Economy is the largest segment with 62.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading in flight catering companies?
Global leaders include Gate Gourmet, dnata, LSG Sky Chefs, Newrest.
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