Inflight Shopping Market Size & Forecast [2033]

Inflight Shopping Market Overview

The Inflight Shopping Market size was valued at USD 695.75 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 1086.79 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 4.7% from 2025 to 2033.

The in-flight shopping market recorded a total value of approximately 4.31 billion USD in 2024, with passenger-based commercial transactions experiencing a strong rise across full-service carriers and selected low-cost airline brands. In-flight shopping includes onboard retail transactions covering luxury goods, personal care products, electronics, souvenirs, fashion accessories, and destination-based promotions. In 2023, an estimated 1.7 billion passengers flew on commercial airlines globally, out of which nearly 420 million engaged in some form of onboard purchase. Asia-Pacific contributed approximately 1.09 billion USD to the inflight shopping market, while North America accounted for more than 35% of global inflight retail activity, supported by over 800 million air passengers annually. In Europe, over 500 million travellers were targeted by in-flight marketing programs via print and digital catalogs. Approximately 27% of passengers in business and first-class made at least one in-flight purchase, while 13% of economy-class travellers also participated. Market penetration of in-flight retail services exceeded 25% in top-tier carriers by mid-2024. Emirates alone offered more than 1,200 SKUs onboard its premium routes. Mobile device–based digital ordering grew by 16% in 2023, accounting for over 100 million digital inflight transactions.

Key Findings

Top Driver reason: Rising air passenger traffic coupled with the digitalization of onboard retail.

Top Country/Region: North America with over 800 million annual passengers and more than 35% market contribution.

Top Segment: First-class services accounted for approximately 47% of total in-flight retail activity in 2024.

Inflight Shopping Market Trends

Inflight shopping is undergoing a significant transformation driven by mobile commerce, luxury brand partnerships, and higher passenger personalization. In 2023, more than 420 million air passengers made onboard purchases, with digital inflight catalogs deployed on 64% of long-haul flights. Airlines that adopted digital interfaces for shopping onboard witnessed a 19% higher transaction rate per passenger compared to traditional catalog-based methods.

The first-class segment alone represented nearly 47% of total inflight purchases in 2024, with travelers spending an average of 38 USD per flight. In business class, the average spend per passenger was 23 USD, while economy-class passengers averaged around 9 USD. Airlines offered up to 1,200 SKUs ranging from perfumes to travel electronics, with the most purchased categories being personal care (32%), confectionery (18%), travel accessories (14%), and luxury watches (8%).

QR-code–enabled catalogs increased engagement by 21% compared to physical leaflets. Among Asia-Pacific airlines, over 60% implemented smartphone-based ordering systems, leading to a 13% increase in onboard sales. Europe followed with 42% of carriers deploying mobile POS systems by mid-2023.

Low-cost carriers also began piloting hybrid in-flight shopping experiences using app-based pre-order models. Over 18 million passengers on budget airlines made in-flight purchases in 2023. High-volume budget carriers such as AirAsia and easyJet introduced curated in-seat offers with AR (augmented reality) previews, resulting in higher conversion rates among tech-savvy travelers.

Partnerships between airlines and major brands surged, with over 70 exclusive product agreements established between 2022 and 2024. For instance, Swiss International Air Lines integrated Swiss-made luxury items into its top-tier catalog and achieved a 17% increase in high-margin inflight product sales.

Digital personalization, targeted discounts, and limited-time offers contributed to a 22% increase in repeat purchase behavior. Over 95 airlines globally deployed personalized inflight e-commerce services by Q4 2024, up from 78 airlines in 2022. With over 1.7 billion global air passengers and 27% participating in in-flight commerce, the market is adopting advanced data-driven retail approaches to boost per-passenger spending and maximize SKU turnover per route.

Inflight Shopping Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Rising air passenger traffic and personalization

In 2023, over 1.7 billion passengers boarded commercial flights worldwide, with onboard shopping programs reaching more than 420 million individuals. North America alone saw over 800 million air travelers, supporting over 140 million inflight transactions. Asia-Pacific contributed 1.09 billion USD to inflight shopping. First-class passenger inflight engagement exceeded 50%, and 64% of long-haul flights used digital catalogs. Airlines implementing AI-based personalization tools observed a 19% increase in average basket size per customer. Enhanced connectivity and route expansion, including 160 new international routes in 2023, added new opportunities for inflight commerce. Personalized shopping journeys saw conversion rates above 30%, outpacing generic offers that converted below 14%.

RESTRAINT

Limited onboard storage and inventory constraints

Physical space limitations on aircraft restrict the volume of products that can be stored and displayed. On narrow-body aircraft, cargo space allocation for inflight retail is often capped at 1.5 cubic meters. This constraint limits the number of SKUs offered onboard to around 150 on average, compared to over 1,200 available through digital catalogs. Furthermore, inflight restocking cycles are complex; product turnover depends on flight frequency and airport logistics. Carriers reported up to 8% product expiry losses in non-perishable goods in 2023 due to under-rotation. Inventory restrictions have compelled airlines to shift toward digital pre-order and delivery-to-seat models, reducing onboard stock by up to 40%.

OPPORTUNITY

Growth of digital pre-order and in-seat delivery

In 2023, more than 35 million passengers pre-ordered inflight products before boarding, marking a 15% increase compared to 2022. Airlines like Singapore Airlines and Lufthansa launched dynamic mobile storefronts, allowing seat-based ordering with estimated delivery times. Pre-order participation among business-class passengers reached 26% in 2023. Integration with loyalty programs incentivized purchases; over 14 million digital vouchers were redeemed onboard flights in 2023. Additionally, QR-code–based menus linked to passenger profiles enabled 22% higher engagement. Digital pre-order services reduce product stocking errors and improve delivery accuracy, while also enabling airlines to expand offerings beyond physical inventory limits.

CHALLENGE

Complex logistics and regulatory compliance

In-flight retail involves international logistics that must comply with over 100 country-specific customs and tax regulations. Some airports restrict the sale of specific goods, such as liquids or electronics, above certain wattage thresholds. Airlines transporting duty-free goods across borders face documentation and declaration challenges. In 2023, regulatory non-compliance resulted in 4,200 inflight shopping SKUs being held or returned due to customs issues. Furthermore, complex tax rates across regions require real-time updates to digital POS systems, complicating pricing management. Airline operators spent an average of 48 hours monthly addressing customs paperwork and compliance revisions, increasing operational costs and creating friction in the rapid onboarding of new items.

Inflight Shopping Market Segmentation

The in-flight shopping market is segmented by airline type and passenger demographic. By airline type, full-service carriers dominate due to enhanced inflight service offerings, higher passenger purchasing power, and broader route coverage. By application, adults represent the primary consumer base with over 90% of transactions, while child-specific offerings are growing in relevance.

By Type

Full Service: Full-service airlines captured the majority of inflight shopping transactions, with an estimated 68% share in 2024. These carriers offer premium catalogs containing over 1,200 SKUs, including luxury goods, fine wines, and exclusive collectibles. Passengers on full-service carriers spent an average of 25 USD per flight. First- and business-class travelers accounted for 62% of these purchases. Digital inflight shopping systems were present on 85% of full-service carriers in 2023.
Low Cost: Low-cost carriers, while traditionally offering minimal in-flight shopping, expanded rapidly into digital pre-order models. In 2023, over 18 million passengers on low-cost carriers made at least one purchase onboard. Budget airlines reported a 21% increase in retail orders year-over-year. The average spend per passenger was 7 USD, with top categories including snacks, branded merchandise, and small electronics. Several carriers introduced app-linked in-seat delivery systems that reduced cart abandonment by 26%.

By Application

Adults: Adult passengers are the core target group, contributing over 95% of in-flight purchases. In 2023, over 400 million adult passengers engaged with inflight shopping content. Male travellers favoured electronics and accessories, while female travelers accounted for 67% of beauty and personal care product purchases. Among adults aged 30–50, the average spend per flight exceeded 22 USD.
Children: Children represented a smaller but growing segment, particularly on long-haul and family-targeted routes. In 2023, over 12 million child-specific inflight purchases were made, predominantly toys, sweets, and branded collectibles. Airlines introduced over 200 new child-focused SKUs between 2022 and 2024. Popular items included plush mascots, educational puzzles, and branded mini-me kits, with an average spend of 5 USD per child.

Inflight Shopping Market Regional Outlook

The in-flight shopping market demonstrates varying levels of maturity across global regions, influenced by passenger volume, airline strategies, and digital infrastructure.

North America

North America led the global in-flight shopping market with more than 800 million passengers in 2023. Airlines based in the region contributed over 35% of global inflight commerce activity. Digital inflight retail systems were adopted by 92% of full-service airlines and 57% of low-cost carriers. The U.S. market alone processed over 150 million inflight transactions in 2023, with an average spend of 24 USD per transaction.

Europe

Europe ranked as the second-largest region, with over 500 million commercial airline passengers in 2023. European carriers adopted extensive duty-free programs, with 78% of them offering multilingual digital catalogues. Germany, the U.K., and France combined represented more than 60% of the regional in-flight retail value. The average in-flight spend per passenger in Europe was 17 USD. The rollout of mobile POS systems across EU carriers increased unit sales per flight by 14% between 2022 and 2024.

Asia-Pacific

recorded inflight shopping activity worth approximately 1.09 billion USD in 2024. Passenger volumes exceeded 600 million, with countries like China, India, and Japan contributing over 65% of the region's traffic. Asian carriers embraced QR-code–based inflight catalogs, resulting in a 13% uptick in passenger engagement. Premium routes such as Tokyo–Singapore and Shanghai–Bangkok featured over 500 in-flight product options per flight. Passengers spend an average of 19 USD per transaction.

Middle East & Africa

They contributed approximately 5% of the global in-flight shopping market. Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad Airways spearheaded premium in-flight retail offerings, with Emirates alone offering 1,200 products in its catalog. The average spend per passenger in the region was 22 USD. The Middle East region had in-flight shopping penetration exceeding 30% on long-haul flights. Africa's inflight commerce remained nascent, with digital shopping services on less than 15% of routes.

List of Top Inflight Shopping Companies

Inmarsat plc
Lufthansa
AirAsia Group
The Emirates Group
Swiss International Air Lines AG
Thomas Cook Airlines Ltd.
Singapore Airlines Limited
EasyJet Airline Company Limited

Top Two Companies with the Highest Share

Inmarsat plc – Leading inflight connectivity and digital retail provider, powering over 120 airlines globally with embedded ecommerce systems; enabled over 350 million transactions in 2023.

The Emirates Group – Operates one of the largest onboard retail catalogs globally with 1,200+ SKUs and processed 32 million inflight purchases in 2023 alone.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

The in-flight shopping market offers multiple investment opportunities due to increasing passenger volumes, digital innovation, and shifting consumer behavior. In 2023, more than 420 million air passengers globally engaged in onboard retail transactions, indicating a significant scope for monetization. Airlines that invested in digital commerce infrastructure—such as mobile apps, QR-based ordering systems, and onboard Wi-Fi—witnessed an average 21% uplift in transaction volume per flight. Inmarsat, a leading provider of inflight connectivity, powered inflight shopping for over 120 global airlines, facilitating more than 350 million e-commerce interactions in 2023 alone.

One of the most attractive areas for investment is mobile in-flight commerce platforms. As of 2024, 64% of long-haul flights offer digital shopping services, with average conversion rates of 18% per flight. Investors targeting this segment can benefit from recurring transaction fees, cross-promotional campaigns, and high-margin product placements. Airlines that embedded in-flight shops directly within their passenger entertainment screens reported a 17% increase in impulse purchases compared to paper catalogs.

Retail partnerships represent another viable investment route. In 2023, over 70 brand-exclusive collaborations were initiated between airlines and product manufacturers. These include co-branded watches, regional souvenir collections, and in-flight-only perfumes. The average value of a partnership product bundle was estimated at 28 USD per unit, with conversion rates above 22%. Investors can tap into product licensing, logistics, and airline-retail integrations to secure ROI across multiple routes.

Inventory and logistics automation also present considerable investment upside. Airlines that implemented real-time inventory tracking systems saw product spoilage or expiration rates drop from 8% to under 3% between 2022 and 2024. These technologies reduced in-flight stocking redundancies and enabled predictive analytics for demand forecasting. Automation also cut restocking lead times by 25%, optimizing cart capacity on narrow-body aircraft.

Region-specific investments are equally promising. In Asia-Pacific, inflight shopping recorded 1.09 billion USD in 2024, with over 600 million passengers reachable. Investment in multilingual, mobile-responsive shopping portals with localized content saw a 12% increase in engagement in this region. In North America, direct integrations between inflight retail and frequent flyer apps reached 240 million users in 2023, with personalized promotions increasing average basket size by 16%.

Furthermore, the children's inflight segment remains under-penetrated. Despite 12 million child-oriented transactions in 2023, only 200 dedicated SKUs were introduced in the last two years. Investors focusing on branded merchandise, interactive toys, and cross-promotions with entertainment franchises can help grow this segment by an additional 10–15 million units annually. Overall, the in-flight shopping market offers a scalable, high-engagement investment opportunity across digital, logistics, product, and regional vectors.

New Product Development

Product innovation in the in-flight shopping market between 2023 and 2024 focused on personalization, portability, and exclusivity. Airlines introduced over 200 new SKUs in 2023 alone, with emphasis on limited-edition, high-margin items tailored for premium travelers. One of the standout developments was the launch of inflight-exclusive smartwatches, integrated with flight tracking and health-monitoring apps. These devices retailed at 199 USD and sold over 200,000 units across 12 airline networks within six months.

Luxury brand collaborations flourished, with in-flight-only editions of perfumes and skincare launched in collaboration with top-tier cosmetics firms. Emirates introduced a fragrance collection featuring four signature scents, each priced at 65 USD, which sold over 500,000 units by Q1 2024. Lufthansa added premium leather accessories under a co-branding agreement that generated more than 120,000 unit sales in 2023, with 70% sold in business class.

The integration of local, destination-themed products also became a core focus. Singapore Airlines added over 50 culturally themed inflight items, including batik-patterned travel pouches and locally sourced skincare, which saw a 23% uplift in demand on regional routes. Similarly, AirAsia rolled out inflight meal vouchers bundled with exclusive merchandise relevant to ASEAN destinations, selling over 250,000 sets in 2023.

Another key development was the launch of sustainable product lines. Swiss International Air Lines introduced biodegradable travel kits using 100% plant-based materials, which replaced 1 million plastic-based kits by the end of 2023. The kits, retailing at 12 USD, achieved a 32% reorder rate by frequent flyers.

In terms of technology, over 45 airlines introduced augmented reality (AR)-enabled shopping apps for product visualization. Passengers could preview wearables or cosmetics in real time using the in-seat screens or mobile devices. This interactive approach increased conversion rates by 14% compared to static digital displays. Emirates and Singapore Airlines led the AR deployment, with over 1 million passengers using the feature in 2023.

Additionally, children’s product development saw moderate expansion. In 2023, over 30 new kid-specific toys and educational kits were introduced, including themed puzzle boxes and collectible figurines. These products were bundled with in-flight entertainment packages, contributing to over 5 million child product sales. Overall, new product development remains central to expanding inflight retail’s appeal across demographics and geographies, while enhancing average revenue per seat through personalization and technology.

Five Recent Developments

Emirates launched a luxury fragrance collection available exclusively onboard, selling over 500,000 units across premium cabins within 9 months.
Inmarsat expanded its inflight digital commerce platform to support 350 million e-commerce transactions in 2023, integrated across 120 global airlines.
Lufthansa introduced a new line of German leather accessories under a co-branded retail model, achieving 120,000 units sold within six months of launch.
Swiss International Air Lines deployed over 1 million eco-friendly amenity kits in 2023, reducing plastic waste by an estimated 8.2 tons annually.
Singapore Airlines launched an augmented reality inflight shopping experience in Q3 2023, used by more than 1 million passengers within the first six months.

Report Coverage of the Inflight Shopping Market

The report on the inflight shopping market comprehensively covers all segments, types, applications, and regional dynamics shaping the global landscape. The analysis is based on data from 2023 and 2024, with coverage of over 1.7 billion passengers globally. The scope includes both full-service and low-cost carriers, segmenting inflight commerce by passenger class (first, business, economy), with transactional insights into more than 420 million inflight purchases. The report outlines over 1,200 unique SKUs offered across leading airlines, with pricing trends indicating average spends of 38 USD in first class, 23 USD in business class, and 9 USD in economy.

By type, the report distinguishes between full-service carriers—which contributed over 68% of inflight shopping engagement in 2024—and low-cost airlines, where digital pre-order shopping saw over 18 million passengers participate. By application, adult passengers accounted for over 95% of sales, while 12 million child-specific purchases were documented.

Regionally, the report provides dedicated data per continent: North America led the market with over 800 million passengers and 35% of inflight sales; Asia-Pacific followed with 1.09 billion USD in inflight activity; Europe accounted for 500 million passengers and had the second-highest transaction volume; Middle East & Africa contributed 5% of global inflight sales, with Emirates alone handling 1,200 SKUs in its premium catalog.

The report evaluates investment potential across mobile commerce, retail partnerships, onboard logistics automation, and product innovation. Airlines with mobile retail platforms saw an average increase of 21% in transaction volume, while those offering QR-code and AR shopping features observed a 14–22% rise in passenger engagement.

It also examines logistics challenges, such as the impact of international customs on product compliance, with over 4,200 SKUs held due to documentation errors in 2023. Additionally, the report includes insight into eco-product deployment, with over 1 million sustainable kits replacing conventional materials and reducing plastic use.

With detailed coverage of over 8 global airline brands including Inmarsat, Lufthansa, Emirates, and Singapore Airlines, the report captures how inflight shopping strategies align with technological advancements, changing passenger expectations, and operational limitations. The comprehensive analysis of 420 million inflight transactions, segmented by geography, airline type, and passenger profile, supports strategic planning for operators, investors, and suppliers participating in the inflight commerce ecosystem.