Aer Lingus Expands Partnership with dnata for Enhanced Inflight Retail

Aer Lingus has signed a five-year inflight retail contract with dnata Catering & Retail, further solidifying their longstanding partnership. This agreement, which also includes the continuation of dnata’s catering services for an additional five years, demonstrates Aer Lingus’ trust in the operational expertise of dnata.

The new inflight retail program will be featured on over 180 daily Aer Lingus flights from bases in Dublin, Shannon, Cork, and Manchester. Under this expanded agreement, dnata will oversee the complete management of the retail operations, including product sourcing, procurement, warehousing, and technology integration. This collaboration aims to enhance the inflight experience by introducing innovative ways for passengers to browse and personalize their shopping.

Innovative Retail Offerings

According to Robin Padgett, CEO of dnata Catering & Retail, this partnership elevates their collaboration with Aer Lingus by combining expertise in catering, retail, and technology. The goal is to create an exceptional onboard experience with a modern, data-driven retail program that highlights Irish brands and improves operational efficiency.

The inflight retail range will feature a curated selection of local Irish and international brands, embodying Aer Lingus’ signature warmth and hospitality. Customers can expect popular homegrown offerings such as Sculpted by Aimee, Tan Organic, and BPerfect, alongside freshly made sandwiches and wraps from Deli-Lites. The launch coincides with the festive season menu, which includes seasonal favorites like turkey and stuffing sandwiches and holiday-themed gift items.

To facilitate convenience, customers will have the option to browse the onboard magazine “Bia” digitally before their flight, allowing them to purchase featured products directly while on board. This initiative relies on dnata’s integrated retail technology ecosystem, which supports contactless payments and real-time data analytics. This system will help Aer Lingus make data-driven decisions to improve operational efficiency.

Operational Efficiency and Customer Experience

Adrian Dunne, Chief Operations Officer of Aer Lingus, emphasized that adding inflight retail to their existing contract with dnata will yield significant operational benefits while enhancing customer experience. A new crew iOS app will facilitate a tailored product range that aligns with customer preferences and showcases a variety of Irish brands.

The new retail program is expected to serve over 10.5 million Aer Lingus customers annually, offering a refreshed onboard experience and fostering innovation in both retail and catering sectors.

Dnata Catering & Retail is recognized as one of the world’s leading inflight hospitality providers, employing over 10,400 professionals globally. The company produces more than 110 million meals each year, catering to full-service, low-cost, and VIP airlines from over 60 locations worldwide. This continued partnership between Aer Lingus and dnata promises to redefine the inflight retail landscape and elevate the overall passenger experience.