Top 10 Business Class Lounge Catering 2025: $64B Market with $150 Average Spend
Global Market Overview
- Premium lounge dining market: $64B in 2025, up from $58B in 2024.
- Growth rate: 10.3% YoY.
- Average per passenger spend:
- 2024: $135
- 2025: $150 (+11%).
- Lounges drive airline brand value, loyalty, and premium ticket justification.
Regional Breakdown (2025)
- Asia-Pacific – 30% share, $19.2B market, $145 spend.
- North America – 28% share, $17.9B market, $155 spend.
- Europe – 25% share, $16B market, $150 spend.
- Middle East – 12% share, $7.7B market, $165 spend (highest).
- Latin America – 5% share, $3.2B market, $135 spend.
Top 10 Airlines – Lounge Catering 2025
1. Air Canada – Toronto Pearson (YYZ)
- À la carte dining, chef-curated menus.
- Dishes: Atlantic salmon, Alberta beef, farm-to-table salads.
- Drinks: Canadian & global wines, cocktails.
- Avg. Spend: $160 per passenger.
2. Qatar Airways – Doha Hamad (DOH)
- Full à la carte + buffet options.
- Menu: Arabic mezze, grilled meats, pasta, steaks.
- Drinks: Champagne, premium wines, specialty coffee.
- Avg. Spend: $175 per passenger.
3. Cathay Pacific – Hong Kong (HKG)
- Signature Noodle Bar (wonton noodles, dim sum).
- The Teahouse with hand-brewed teas & pastries.
- Avg. Spend: $140 per passenger.
4. Singapore Airlines – Changi (SIN)
- Buffet: Laksa, chicken rice, satay + global dishes.
- Drinks: Champagne station, wines, coffees.
- Avg. Spend: $155 per passenger.
5. Virgin Atlantic – London Heathrow (LHR)
- À la carte menu: British + international fusion.
- Highlights: Afternoon tea, gourmet burgers, cocktails.
- Avg. Spend: $150 per passenger.
6. Turkish Airlines – Istanbul (IST)
- Live cooking stations: pide, kebabs, baklava.
- Drinks: Turkish coffee, fine wines.
- Avg. Spend: $135 per passenger.
7. Air France – Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
- French classics: coq au vin, ratatouille, artisan cheese.
- Dessert station: Parisian patisserie style.
- Drinks: Champagne & wine pairings.
- Avg. Spend: $170 per passenger.
8. Etihad Airways – Abu Dhabi (AUH)
- Buffet + à la carte dining.
- Menu: Lamb kofta, hummus, Arabic sweets.
- Drinks: Fine wines, barista coffee.
- Avg. Spend: $145 per passenger.
9. Iberia – Madrid Barajas (MAD)
- Spanish dishes: Iberian ham, tortilla, paella.
- Drinks: Spanish wines & cava.
- Avg. Spend: $130 per passenger.
10. Qantas Airways – Sydney (SYD)
- Menu curated by chef Neil Perry.
- Highlights: Salt & pepper squid, seasonal salads.
- Drinks: Australian wines, local beers, cocktails.
- Avg. Spend: $160 per passenger.
Market Projection 2024 vs 2025
- 2024: $58B global market, $135 avg. spend.
- 2025: $64B global market, $150 avg. spend.
- Growth: +10.3% market, +11% per passenger spend.
Financial Takeaways
- Lounges are multi-billion-dollar profit centers.
- Dining upgrades raise ticket premiums & loyalty.
- Middle East leads in per passenger luxury spend.
- Asia-Pacific dominates in total market size.
- Airlines use local culinary identities to enhance brand value.
Disclaimer
This article is published by The Profit India for informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice, airline endorsement, or financial recommendation. Readers should conduct their own research before making business or travel-related decisions.
