Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 9.4 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $3.6bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Rising oil prices and changing consumer preferences shake up the industry
- Over recent years, fierce competition in the airline industry has caused companies to focus more on beating their rivals' pricing rather than differentiating themselves with onboard services. This price-centric strategy has eroded some of the traditional sources of income for airlines.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Personalization trend is on the rise
- Airlines are anticipating the rise of personalization in in-flight meals. Today's technology allows for a more customized experience than ever, and airlines are looking to harness this to better cater to passengers' dietary needs and preferences.
Biggest companies in the Airline Catering Services in the US
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 | Profit ($m)
2024 | Profit Margin (%)
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Gate Gourmet Canada Inc. | 464.7 | 11.4 | 2.4 | |
Flying Food Group LLC | 450.3 | 26.2 | 5.8 | |
LSG Sky Chefs | 276.8 | -1.2 | -0.4 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 3 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Full meals, Beverages and Snacks. Full meals is the largest segment of the Airline Catering Services in the US.
Trends and Insights
Full meals are influenced by flight duration
- The airline catering services industry primarily serves first—and business-class passengers on domestic flights while offering full meals to all passengers on international routes. Entree sales generate most of the revenue, followed by appetizers, salads and desserts.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
This industry provides food preparation and catering services for domestic flights, international flights (originating in the United States) and nonscheduled domestic flights (e.g. charter flights). Airline caterers generate revenue through the provision of full meals, beverages, snacks and other items, such as cutlery, napkins and cups.
What's included in this industry?
Preparing in-flight mealsDesigning in-flight menus and creating mealsProviding in-flight snacks and beveragesProviding other in-flight catering servicesCompanies
Gate Gourmet Canada Inc.Flying Food Group LLCLSG Sky ChefsPurchase this report to view all 3 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
AIRLINE HUBCRUDE OILJET FUELIndustry Code
NAICS 72231 - Airline Catering Services in the US
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Air travel's boom was curtailed by the COVID-19 outbreak. Rising disposable incomes and a strong job market had earlier fueled a surge in flights, boosting demand for onboard...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Airline caterers earn most of their income from full meal sales. Beverages and snacks are their next top earners, even as airlines reduce meals and snacks in economy class.
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Airline caterers are typically clustered around major US airports. To maintain the peak freshness of meal ingredients and minimize their delivery time, the kitchens of these ...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each state in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
The airline catering sector has moderate entry barriers and market share concentration. Entry barriers exist due to regulatory standards, while a handful of top firms dominat...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
The airline catering industry has three dominant players: LSG Sky Chefs, Gate Gourmet, and Flying Food Group. Together, these companies command 40% of the sector's revenue, g...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of Gate Gourmet Canada Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Flying Food Group LLC's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of LSG Sky Chefs's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Gate Gourmet Canada Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Flying Food Group LLC, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for LSG Sky Chefs, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Airline catering services are subject to moderate FDA regulation. These regulations target the upkeep of high food safety and sanitation standards.
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
With an almost 30% share of the domestic market and significant international influence, LSG Sky Chefs can impact cost trends in the airline catering industry. In October 202...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
- Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
- Income Statement (2017-2022)
- Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
- Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Airline Catering Services in the US industry in United States in 2024?
The market size of the Airline Catering Services in the US industry in United States is $3.6bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Airline Catering Services in the US industry in 2024?
There are 299 businesses in the Airline Catering Services in the US industry in United States, which has declined at a CAGR of 5.6 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Airline Catering Services in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Airline Catering Services in the US industry in United States has been declining at a CAGR of 9.4 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Airline Catering Services in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Airline Catering Services in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Airline Catering Services in the US market in United States?
The biggest companies operating in the Airline Catering Services market in United States are Gate Gourmet Canada Inc., Flying Food Group LLC and LSG Sky Chefs
What does the Airline Catering Services in the US in United States include?
Preparing in-flight meals and Designing in-flight menus and creating meals are part of the Airline Catering Services in the US industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Airline Catering Services in the US in United States?
The company holding the most market share in United States is Gate Gourmet Canada Inc..
How competitive is the Airline Catering Services in the US industry in United States?
The level of competition is high and steady in the Airline Catering Services in the US industry in United States.
Related Industries
Widen your competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Caterers in the US
Complementors
- International Airlines in the US
- Domestic Airlines in the US
- Airport Operations in the US
International industries
- Catering Services in Australia
- Catering Services in New Zealand
- Catering Services in the UK
- Food-Service Contractors in the UK
View all industries in United States
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the US include:
- US Census Bureau
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- US International Trade Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
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