China Inflight Catering Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2025 - 2030)

The China Inflight Catering Market is segmented by Seating Class (Economy Class, Business Class, and First Class), Flight Service Type (Full Service Providers, Low-Cost Carriers, Hybrid, and Others), and Food Type (Meals, Bakery and Confectionary, Beverages, and other Food Types). The report offers market size and forecasts for all the above segments in value (USD million).

China Inflight Catering Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2025 - 2030)

China Inflight Catering Market Size

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China Inflight Catering Market Summary
Study Period 2020 - 2030
Base Year For Estimation 2024
Forecast Data Period 2025 - 2030
Historical Data Period 2020 - 2023
CAGR 4.00 %
Market Concentration High

Major Players

China Inflight Catering Market Major Players

*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

Compare market size and growth of China Inflight Catering Market with other markets in Aerospace & Defense Industry

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China Inflight Catering Market Analysis

The China Inflight Catering Market is expected to register a CAGR of greater than 4% during the forecast period.

The upturn in the Chinese aviation industry and the increasing emphasis on food quality services may lead to growth in the market in the coming years. Technological advancements, such as meal ordering devices (MOD), coupled with the growing adoption of inflight catering services by low-cost carriers in China, are expected to provide growth opportunities for the China Inflight Catering Market in the years to come.

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), China will surpass the United States and will become the largest aviation market by 2024. Also, the country is expected to reach a total of 1.5 billion aviation passengers by 2036. In addition to that, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) aimed to construct 216 new airports by 2035 due to growing demands for air travel. Thus, rising air traffic leads to increasing demand for new aircraft which drives the growth of the market.

China Inflight Catering Industry Overview

The market is consolidated in nature with the presence of few players holding significant shares. Some of the key players are Air China, China Eastern Air Holding Company, Guangzhou Nanland Air Catering Co. Ltd, HNA Group, LSG Sky Chefs, and Cathay Pacific Catering Services (H.K) Ltd hold a significant market share in the Chinese inflight catering market. Companies in the market are trying their best to extend their presence in the market by gaining new contracts or by extending their existing contracts.

For instance, LSG Sky Chefs extended its catering agreement with Cathay Dragon at the airline's Hong Kong hub for a further seven years, extending the service through 2025. Such contract extensions are possible when the airlines are satisfied with the offerings of the caterers. Thus, caterers need to make sure they provide good quality food to the passengers as per the schedules, to gain the trust of the airlines.

China Inflight Catering Market Leaders

  1. Air China

  2. Flying Food Group

  3. Cathay Pacific Catering Services (H.K) Ltd.

  4. HNA Group

  5. LSG Sky Chefs

  6. *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
China Inflight Catering Market Concentration
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China Inflight Catering Market News

In December 2022, China Eastern Airlines and CEA Group, its controlling shareholder, will pump USD 217.4 million into their airline catering arm to enhance that entity's financial security and help it to manage the impact of Covid-19.

In the first six months of 2022, China Eastern Airlines spent CNY 439 million (USD 63.6 million) on catering. Eastern Air Catering and its subsidiaries supply catering and related services to various airlines from its airport kitchens located around China.

China Inflight Catering Market Report - Table of Contents

1. INTRODUCTION

  • 1.1 Study Assumptions
  • 1.2 Scope of the Study

2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

4. MARKET DYNAMICS

  • 4.1 Market Overview
  • 4.2 Market Drivers
  • 4.3 Market Restraints
  • 4.4 Porter's Five Forces Analysis
    • 4.4.1 Threat of New Entrants
    • 4.4.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers/Consumers
    • 4.4.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
    • 4.4.4 Threat of Substitute Products
    • 4.4.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry

5. MARKET SEGMENTATION

  • 5.1 Aircraft Class
    • 5.1.1 Economy Class
    • 5.1.2 Business Class
    • 5.1.3 First Class
  • 5.2 Flight Service Type
    • 5.2.1 Full Service Carriers
    • 5.2.2 Low-cost Carriers
    • 5.2.3 Hybrid and Others
  • 5.3 Food Type
    • 5.3.1 Meals
    • 5.3.2 Bakery and Confectionary
    • 5.3.3 Beverages
    • 5.3.4 Other Food Types

6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

  • 6.1 Vendor Market Share
  • 6.2 Company Profiles
    • 6.2.1 Cathay Pacific Catering Services (H.K) Ltd
    • 6.2.2 LSG Sky Chefs
    • 6.2.3 Air China
    • 6.2.4 China Eastern Air Holding Company
    • 6.2.5 Guangzhou Nanland Air Catering Co. Ltd
    • 6.2.6 HNA Group
    • 6.2.7 Sats Ltd
    • 6.2.8 Flying Food Group
    • 6.2.9 Newrest international Group SAS
    • 6.2.10 Emirates Flight Catering
    • 6.2.11 Gate Gourmet
  • *List Not Exhaustive

7. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS

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China Inflight Catering Industry Segmentation

Inflight catering refers to airline food, inflight meal, or airline meal, which is served on board to passengers by the aircraft operator. Specialist airline catering services prepare these meals and usually serve to passengers using an airline service trolley.

The market is segmented by seating class, flight service type, and food type. Based on seating class, the market is segmented into economy class, business class, and first class. Based on flight service type, the market is divided into full-service providers, low-cost carriers, hybrid, and others. On the basis of food type, the market is segmented into meals, bakery and confectionary, beverages, and other food types. The market sizing and forecasts have been provided in value (USD million).

Aircraft Class Economy Class
Business Class
First Class
Flight Service Type Full Service Carriers
Low-cost Carriers
Hybrid and Others
Food Type Meals
Bakery and Confectionary
Beverages
Other Food Types
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China Inflight Catering Market Research FAQs

What is the current China Inflight Catering Market size?

The China Inflight Catering Market is projected to register a CAGR of greater than 4% during the forecast period (2025-2030)

Who are the key players in China Inflight Catering Market?

Air China, Flying Food Group, Cathay Pacific Catering Services (H.K) Ltd., HNA Group and LSG Sky Chefs are the major companies operating in the China Inflight Catering Market.

What years does this China Inflight Catering Market cover?

The report covers the China Inflight Catering Market historical market size for years: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the China Inflight Catering Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.

China Inflight Catering Industry Report

Statistics for the 2025 China Inflight Catering market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. China Inflight Catering analysis includes a market forecast outlook for 2025 to 2030 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.