Major Chinese airlines introduce paid in-flight meal options

(ECNS) -- Major Chinese airlines, including Air China, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines and Sichuan Airlines, have introduced paid in-flight meal options on domestic routes, ranging from affordable snacks to premium platters costing several hundred yuan, as carriers seek to diversify their catering services.

Economic analyst Pan Helin said the move is being driven by several factors. Paid meal services are already a well-established business model in other transport sectors, while offering passengers more choices can also help airlines increase brand exposure through social media. In addition, in-flight catering has long faced cost pressures, and paid services could help turn catering from a cost burden into a potential source of revenue.

A survey showed that ticket prices account for 34% of passengers' decision-making when booking flights, while in-flight meals account for just 6%. However, passengers said they were willing to pay an average of $27 more for higher-quality meals, a finding Pan said reflects increasingly diverse passenger preferences.

While budget-conscious travelers may be reluctant to pay extra for meals, others, including business travelers, content creators and social media users, may be willing to spend more for an enhanced dining experience, Pan noted.

The China Air Transport Association has said that free economy-class meals will not be eliminated despite the expansion of paid options. However, Pan said some adjustments to complimentary meal services may be unavoidable from a business perspective.

He suggested four measures to prevent excessive downgrading of free meals: establishing clear basic meal standards, improving cost transparency, introducing third-party catering companies into the supply chain, and clearly distinguishing between basic and premium meal services.

Looking ahead, Pan said the future of paid in-flight meals lies not in luxury, but in offering trendy and visually appealing choices that cater to social media-savvy travelers. Airlines could also provide more diverse options, including vegetarian, low-calorie and liquid meals. He suggested that carriers could source local specialties from stopover airports or collaborate with lifestyle brands and intellectual properties on selected routes.

Ultimately, paid in-flight meals should focus on meeting passengers' changing preferences rather than simply charging higher prices, Pan said.

(By Tang Yuxian)