dnata Catering & Retail has launched Aer Lingus’ new inflight retail programme, extending its long-standing partnership with the Irish airline. The five-year retail agreement complements dnata’s existing hub catering contract, covering more than 180 flights daily across Dublin, Shannon, Cork, and Manchester.

The expanded programme positions dnata as the end-to-end manager of Aer Lingus’ inflight retail operations, handling product sourcing, procurement, warehousing, and technology integration. The curated offering blends Irish and international brands, including Sculpted by Aimee, Tan Organic, BPerfect, The Smooth Company, and Deli-Lites’ freshly made sandwiches and wraps. The launch aligns with Aer Lingus’ festive season menu, featuring seasonal sandwiches, cheese and cracker boxes, and holiday-themed gifts.

Robin Padgett, CEO of dnata Catering & Retail, emphasised that the initiative merges catering, retail, and technology to deliver a modern, data-driven inflight experience that celebrates Irish brands, improves efficiency, and enhances passenger choice. Customer feedback will play a central role in shaping the evolving range, ensuring offerings remain aligned with passenger preferences.

Passengers can browse the onboard magazine Bia digitally and purchase featured products directly, powered by dnata’s integrated retail technology ecosystem. This includes contactless payments, real-time analytics, and self-serve reporting capabilities, supporting data-led decisions and operational efficiency.

Aer Lingus COO Adrian Dunne highlighted the programme’s operational benefits, noting that a new crew iOS app enables a data-driven product range tailored to customer tastes while showcasing Irish brands. The initiative is expected to serve over 10.5 million customers annually, enhancing the onboard experience and creating opportunities for innovation in both retail and catering.

dnata’s catering and retail division operates globally with over 10,400 staff, producing more than 110 million meals annually for full-service, low-cost, and VIP carriers across more than 60 locations.

Discover how dnata is reshaping inflight retail and elevating Aer Lingus’ passenger experience.