Travel has changed, and so has taste.
Once, travel was about checking off lists: landmarks, photos, souvenirs.
Today’s travelers, especially Ge.n Z, are crafting deeper journeys where food, culture, and values intersect.
This generation travels with purpose, and for them, food is more than nourishment. It’s a cultural gateway, a way to connect meaningfully with the places they visit.
At gategroup, we are meeting this shift with a fusion of culinary creativity and predictive data, crafting meals that speak to the next generation of travelers.
From data to dish, predicting the palate of tomorrow
Through a strategic partnership with Black Swan Data, we’re tapping into real-time consumer insights from millions of social conversations.
No surveys, no assumptions, just authentic signals.
Key 2025 Travel Dining Trends:
– Plant-based everything
– Functional ingredients with benefits
– Photo-worthy, camera-ready meals
– Sustainability without sacrifice
These insights help us craft menus that meet emerging demands while staying rooted in cultural relevance.
The Gen Z Traveler: Curious, Conscious, and Connected
This generation is reshaping travel with clear preferences:
– Authenticity over polish
– Local experiences over global chains
– Culture-driven adventures over consumerism
They’re learning to cook with locals, hunting hidden gems in food stalls, and choosing purpose over postcards.
They want their food to reflect that depth, and their airline meals should, too.
2025 Menu Trends, Served Hot
1. Sustainable Convenience
Fast, flavorful meals that respect the planet, using local ingredients, compostable packaging, and minimal waste.
2. Superfoods That Taste as Good as They Feel
Turmeric, finger lime, monk fruit, and chia are becoming staples, celebrated not just for their benefits but for their bold flavors.
3. Plant-Based Goes Gourmet
Luxury dishes made with tofu, lentils, and quinoa are designed to impress and satisfy.
4. The Aesthetic Plate
Today, the camera eats first. We design dishes to be both feed-worthy and flavorful.
“Cooking is a relentless pursuit of excellence, and data helps us push further and faster.”
Conscious generation, digital natives, and real-world foodies
This generation plans their travels on TikTok & Instagram, scout restaurants through Reddit, and demands authenticity.
They want food that is honest, raw, and rooted in real culture, and they can tell instantly when it is not.
Traveling ethically matters too, and so does eating ethically. Gen Z supports restaurants and brands that:
– Source ingredients locally
– Minimize food waste
– Celebrate Indigenous and marginalized cuisines
– Operate transparently and inclusively
At gategroup, we proudly work with chefs who embody these values, from Chef Ali Gharib’s freekeh salad inspired by Lebanese heritage to Chef Raul Manrique’s Peruvian dishes that honor the culinary soul of his homeland.
Work-from-anywhere, eat-from-anywhere
As work and travel merge, remote workers need meals that fuel focus without slowing them down. Our menus are designed for digital nomads with:
– Balanced snack kits
– Nutritious, energizing main courses
– Easy-to-eat formats that fit a flexible lifestyle
Inflight dining should support modern travelers, not restrict them.
What This Means for Airlines
For our airline partners, this is more than a trend. It is a transformation.
Why it matters:
– Trend-responsive menus lead to higher passenger satisfaction
– Plant-forward offerings offer broader appeal and flexibility
– Data-driven development enables smarter, faster innovation
– Sustainable practices build stronger brand equity
– Visually appealing meals create built-in marketing moments
You are not just serving meals; you are creating memorable experiences at 35,000 feet.
Final Bite
At gategroup, we believe the future of inflight dining is as dynamic and diverse as the travelers we serve.
With chefs on the ground in more than 60 countries and insights drawn from millions of real conversations, we are creating meals that celebrate culture, champion sustainability, and deliver joy in every bite.
This new generation is not just exploring the world, they are changing it. And we are serving the flavor to match.
Introducing Food for Thought
Food for Thought is gategroup’s annual culinary magazine, crafted by our global community of chefs and trend experts.
The magazine curates the latest movements, emerging food trends, and consumer insights shaping the future of inflight dining. Much of the research, inspiration, and culinary vision behind this blog are drawn from the insights developed through Food for Thought.
Now preparing for its third issue, set to launch in Q4 2025, Food for Thought continues to connect culinary creativity with customer experience, helping airlines stay ahead in a fast-changing world.
About gategroup
gategroup is the global leader in airline catering, retail-on-board and hospitality products and services. gategroup provides passengers with superior culinary and retail experiences, leveraging innovation and advanced technology solutions. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, gategroup delivers operational excellence through the most extensive catering network in the aviation industry, serving passengers from over 200 operating units in over 60 countries/territories across all continents. For further information, please visit www.gategroup.com.
