Airplane cateringUSA Aircraft Group Corporation

Date: 2025/12/1

1. Flight type and flight length

· Long-distance flights (usually more than 3-4 hours): Most airlines will provide free catering, even multiple meals (formal meals, snacks, etc.), because passengers spend a long time on the plane and need to replenish their energy.

· Short-haul flights (such as within 2 hours): only simple snacks and drinks may be provided, or you may need to pay for them.

2. Airline business model

· Full-service airlines (such as China Airlines, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines): Usually, the fare includes catering, baggage check-in and other services, focusing on passenger experience.

· Low-cost airlines (such as Spring Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Ryanair): In order to reduce costs and reduce fares, they often do not provide free catering, and passengers need to pay extra for it (or there is no catering service at all).

3. Air ticket price and class class

· Economy class: may only provide basic catering, or pay for upgrade.

· Business class/firt class: usually includes richer free catering and even customized menus.

4. Route and destination regulations

· Some international routes may have richer dining options due to cross-time zones or cultural habits; short-distance domestic routes may simplify services.

5. Adjustment during special periods

· For example, during the epidemic, many airlines suspended or simplified catering services and replaced them with pre-packaged food to reduce contact.

Typical strategies of low-cost aviation:

· Reduce operating costs by canceling free catering, so as to provide lower ticket prices.

· Passengers can buy in-fne meals on demand, forming an additional source of income.

· Reducing meal services can also shorten the flight preparation time and improve the efficiency of aircraft turnover.

Summary:

Whether the aircraft includes catering essentially depends on the length of the voyage, the positioning of the airline, the structure of the fare and the needs of passengers. Long-distance flights and full-service airlines are more inclined to provide free catering, while short-haul or low-cost airlines may make catering an option to meet the differentiated needs of different passengers for price and service.