North America Inflight Catering Market Size

North America In-Flight Catering Services Market Analysis

The North America Inflight Catering Market size is estimated at USD 3.11 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 5.70 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 12.86% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the North American inflight catering market. The onset of the pandemic led to the governments of the United States as well as Canada imposing travel restrictions and lockdown measures, which affected the business travel and tourism sectors in the region. Moreover, the onset of the pandemic led to a decline in the number of orders for flights and aviation services. On the other hand, the decline in the pandemic witnessed gradual growth in the aviation sector of North America as well as an increase in the number of air passenger traffic will lead to gradual growth in the inflight catering market in the coming years.

The intense competition in the aviation sector has encouraged line operators to create their own unique brand identities. Inflight catering has emerged as a prime criterion for differentiating the quality of services provided by different airlines and helps create an attitude among the passengers toward perceiving an airline. The realization of this fact has encouraged American airlines to invest significant resources in developing a profitable inflight catering service that serves the tastes of the passengers and safeguards the market share of the airlines.

Moreover, the inflight catering business witnessed a radical transformation during the past decade. Though North American airlines are not completely encouraging BYOF (bring-your-own-food) on international flights, passengers are permitted to carry their eatables on several domestic routes in the region, especially in the US. The penetration of BYOF may pose a threat to the market in focus in the future.

Furthermore, the lucrative nature of the inflight catering business has encouraged the entry of several global brands that are well-equipped to conform to the high quality and safety regulations of the aviation industry. The entry of new market players and the advent of e-ordering services are expected to radically transform the prevalent practice of long-term association between airlines and their catering partners and to provide both the airlines and the passengers with a plethora of choices.