LSG Group

Name

LSG Group

Legal name

LSG Airline Catering & Retail GmbH

Website

https://lsg-group.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1941

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Airline Catering and Onboard Services

NAICS

Special Food Services (7223), Food Service Contractors (72231), Caterers (722320)

SIC

Wholesale-Groceries, General Line (5141)

akta.pro primary industry

In-Flight Catering & Meal Services (THABAMAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Catering & Cabin Logistics Operations (THABAIAL), Full-Service Catering (Off-Premise) (HSACAGAA), Broadline Foodservice Distribution (CRAOABAA)

Keywords

• Airline catering services
• Onboard retail solutions
• Airport lounge catering
• Inflight catering technology
• Aviation security services

Headquarters

HQ city

Neu Isenburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Airline Catering Services: Core revenue stream providing complete in-flight catering programs and bespoke food solutions for airlines, covering premium onboard dining to full-tray menus and snacks. Revenue generated through long-term contracts with airline customers.
2. Onboard Retail Services: Through Retail inMotion brand, providing onboard retail management, product development, and technology solutions to airlines. Generates revenue through retail management fees and product sales commissions.
3. Airport Lounge Services: Full management of airport lounges including food and beverage supply, cleaning, provisioning, maintenance, and reception services for premium airline lounges.
4. Packaged Food Solutions: Pre-packaged food products and private label solutions for airlines, convenience stores, and retail. Includes branded and co-branded packaged meals and snacks.
5. Convenience Retail: Food concepts and products for convenience stores, gas stations, grocery chains, and canteens. Includes concept development, fulfillment, and logistics support.
6. Aviation Security Services: Through SCIS Air Security subsidiary, providing catering security, aircraft security, and cargo security services at major US airports.
7. IT Solutions and Software: Custom software solutions and IT services for inflight operations management, including the Inflight Suite and Catering Suite platforms provided to airline and catering clients.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

LSG Group provides comprehensive in-flight catering programs and bespoke food solutions for commercial airlines, producing more than 233 million meals per year across 131 locations in 49 countries. Through its two expert brands, LSG Sky Chefs (catering, lounge, packaged food, security) and Retail inMotion (onboard retail, product development, technology), the group also delivers end-to-end onboard retail management, airport lounge catering, packaged food solutions for retail and convenience channels, aviation security services, and proprietary IT/AI platforms such as Vector, Inflight Suite, Catering Suite, and AICA.

Product overview

LSG Group is a quality and technology leader in airline catering and onboard retail, organized around two strong independent expert brands operating as a platform-plus-modules architecture. LSG Sky Chefs is the core airline catering and hospitality brand delivering 233 million meals annually across 131 global locations, encompassing modular sub-brands including SPIRIANT (onboard equipment), Evertaste (packaged food), and SCIS Air Security / SCIS Mobility (aviation security and enterprise mobility). Retail inMotion is the onboard retail, product development, and technology brand offering a suite of modules including Vector Pre-Order, Vector POS & Compliance Suite, Virtual TryOn, and Crew Management Solutions. Both brands are unified under the LSG Group's Connected Experts division, which provides AI-powered analytics (AICA), the Inflight Suite, and the Catering Suite as IT platforms for digital catering operations. The portfolio also includes Intelligent Truck Technology for airport logistics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LSG Sky Chefs: Globally active catering specialist with highest hygiene and quality standards for airlines, the home-delivery market and retail.
• Retail inMotion
• SCIS Air Security
• SCIS Mobility
• SPIRIANT
• Evertaste
• Catering Suite
• Inflight Suite
• AICA
• Vector

Products and services

• LSG Sky Chefs Airline Catering The primary airline catering and hospitality brand of LSG Group, delivering complete in-flight catering programs and bespoke food solutions for airlines, lounge catering, hospitality, airline consulting, and last-mile logistics from 131 kitchens across 49 countries.
• Retail inMotion Onboard Retail Services Dublin-based onboard retail specialist providing product innovation, retail management expertise, and bespoke end-to-end technology solutions for the travel industry, including full-service onboard retail program management, product development, crew training, and commission management for airlines.
• Vector Pre-Order Comprehensive end-to-end pre-order solution covering the passenger journey and supply chain, with a Pre-Order Business Rules engine, two-way API integration to airline booking systems, full pre-order tracking on Point of Sale devices, and inventory control by location, aircraft type, class, and destination.
• Vector Point of Sale and Compliance Suite Proprietary software suite for onboard retail operations tracking stock movements, sales data, and regulatory compliance across country-specific tax laws, customs regulations, and VAT requirements. Manages airline commission schemes on onboard sales.
• Inflight Suite Comprehensive IT solution streamlining inflight operations through menu and galley planning, warehouse management, and real-time flight overviews that track caterer and meal information to improve crew efficiency and passenger experience.
• Catering Suite All-in-one solution for managing airline catering operations including flight management, meal and non-food loading, material forecast, production processes, labor resource allocation, and accurate per-flight invoice generation.
• AICA (Artificial Intelligence Consumption Analytics) AI-powered system collecting passenger feedback on in-flight meals and using artificial intelligence to evaluate preferences; combines data with LSG Group's airline catering expertise to generate customized recommendations for improving passenger satisfaction, cost efficiency, and ecological footprint.
• SCIS Air Security Aviation security services brand, the largest catering-security company in the United States. Provides catering security, aircraft security, and cargo security services from 35+ offices in 39 major U.S. airports, protecting more than 50 domestic and international airlines daily.
• SCIS Mobility Enterprise mobility management services including custom mobility system design, hardware/software procurement, real-time inventory management via the ELLA asset management system, device configuration, MDM, and 24/7 customer support.
• Evertaste Packaged Food Solutions Brand for packaged products and convenience food solutions serving airline, train, and retail customers, including branded and co-branded packaged meals and snacks.
• SPIRIANT Onboard Equipment Brand for onboard equipment design, development, and distribution, including amenity kits, textiles, and service equipment that improve the travel experience for airlines.
• Airport Lounge Catering and Management Full management of First Class, Premium, and Business airport lounges, ranging from basic food-and-beverage provisioning to complete lounge management covering cleaning, provisioning, maintenance, reception, decoration, interior design, and integrated quality management.
• ELLA Asset Management System Proprietary ELLA reporting and asset management system used within SCIS Mobility for real-time inventory management and device reporting.
• Retail inMotion Crew Management Solutions Cabin crew training programs (interactive workshops, e-learning, roadshows), incentive plans and rewards, commission model management and reconciliation, and outsourcing of cabin crew commission payments for airlines.
• Convenience Retail Food Concepts Food concepts and products developed for convenience stores, gas stations, grocery chains, coffee chains, and canteens, including concept development, fulfillment, stock management, and logistics support.

Quantifiable outcome

• First U.S. airline caterer to achieve FSSC 22000 certification at ORD facility
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers30 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature10 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• KlimatocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024Partnership to introduce climate impact transparency in menus at WTCE 2024. Klimato provides science-backed database and Life Cycle Assessment methodology to measure environmental impact of food products, displayed as carbon intensity labels on menus.
• The Vegetarian ButchercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024Partnership to create plant-based meals with meat alternatives for airline passengers. The Vegetarian Butcher, part of Unilever Food Solutions, provides plant-based products that replicate taste and texture of meat. Partnership aims to meet passenger demand for vegetarian and flexitarian options.
• BarillacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 2019, joint development of innovative ambient pasta meal solution for onboard retail, driven by Retail inMotion. Exclusive to LSG Group customers. Collaboration in airline catering field.
• Cuisine SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for sous-vide technology in airline catering and beyond. Cuisine Solutions is recognized as the worldwide authority in sous-vide cooking technique. Collaboration aims for product portfolio optimization with superior quality and consistency.
• NotCocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFuture partnership for plant-based food products. NotCo uses AI algorithm to combine plants to replicate flavor and texture of animal products. Will power plant-based menus for airline and food commerce sector including convenience retail and home delivery.
• KaeliscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAward-winning design and sustainable packaging partner with 25+ years expertise. Collaboration brings together catering, experience and design - best airplane meals presented on exclusive packaging and crockery sets with sustainable solutions.
• Juan ValdezminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrough Retail inMotion, supplying Colombian coffee to flights since 2020 in partnership with Juan Valdez cooperative. Partnership supports social development of coffee-growing communities including Women's Coffee Growers initiative.
• Best Chef AwardsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual event partnership recognizing top chefs worldwide. Provides access to global network of culinary masterminds for new insights and innovation in menu development.
• Ferrandi ParisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with top-ranked hospitality school in France for crew training based on 5-star hotel approach. Training provides insight into onboard service excellence and potential for Skytrax star attainment.
• Un Tigre En VilleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospitality training partner in France for developing crew service capabilities based on 5-star hotel approach.
• Mahoul San MiguelminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospitality training partner in Spain for developing crew service capabilities based on 5-star hotel approach.
• gategroupcoreOthersAcquired LSG European Business in 2019/2020. John Moriarty previously served as Chief Retail Officer of gategroup before joining Retail inMotion as CEO. Gategroup operates as separate entity in airline catering.
• BeyondminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTravel and hospitality tech development advisory service. John Moriarty, new Retail inMotion CEO, is founder and CEO of Beyond before joining LSG Group.
• SCIS MobilityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubsidiary offering enterprise mobility management services including custom mobility system design, hardware/software procurement, real-time inventory management, and 24/7 customer support.
• MedinaminorOthersIndependent quality assurance organization conducting unannounced audits for LSG Sky Chefs compliance verification.
• FSI (Food Safety Institute)minorOthersSubsidiary of German TÜV Süd conducting unannounced audits for food safety standards compliance.
• GCRI BoardcoreOthersBoard of Directors providing oversight for Retail inMotion and LSG Sky Chefs regional operations. Ensures group cohesion and successful growth trajectory.
• Pacific International Executive SearchminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive partnership for management recruitment within Sky Chefs, resulting in 19 leadership placements including high-profile executives to support transformation and growth in North and Latin America.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• gategroup: Swiss-based global airline catering and onboard services group; the largest direct competitor to LSG Sky Chefs. Acquired LSG's European Business in 2020, materially enlarging its overlap with LSG and operating as the principal head-to-head rival in airline catering tenders globally.
• Newrest Group: French multinational airline catering and remote site services operator competing directly with LSG Sky Chefs across Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Comparable multi-region catering scale and similar customer segments (airlines, rail, remote sites).
• Do & Co: Austrian premium airline catering, hospitality, and event catering group. Direct competitor in airline catering (notably for premium-class service) and a publicly listed benchmark for the airline catering business model, with similar customer mix of full-service carriers.
• dnata (Emirates Group): Dubai-based airline catering, ground handling, and travel services division of Emirates Group. Operates large-scale airline catering kitchens globally and competes directly for catering contracts across the Middle East, Asia, Australia, and beyond.
• Flying Food Group: U.S.-based airline catering and prepared foods company serving major North American carriers. Direct competitor particularly in the Americas region where LSG Sky Chefs–Americas operates its largest network.
• SATS (SATS Ltd.): Singapore-listed airport services and airline catering provider with global operations (SATS Food Solutions). Directly comparable in-flight catering and airline hospitality business, particularly strong across Asia-Pacific hubs.

Regional players

• Emirates Flight Catering: One of the world's largest airline catering operations, based at Dubai International (DXB), serving Emirates and other carriers. Compares on volume scale but is primarily anchored to a single hub and region rather than globally diversified.
• Cathay Pacific Catering Services (CPCS): Hong Kong-based airline catering arm of the Cathay Pacific Group, one of the largest single-hub caterers in Asia. Operates in the same airline-catering service category as LSG Sky Chefs but with a more regional, single-carrier-anchored footprint.
• Servair (Air France-KLM subsidiary): French airline catering subsidiary of Air France-KLM (now part of gategroup post-2024). Comparable airline catering model tied to a major network carrier; competes with LSG Sky Chefs in European and African airport markets.

Broad incumbents

• Compass Group (Aviation / Pluxee-adjacent food services): UK-listed global food services and support services major. While not primarily an airline caterer, Compass operates in adjacent foodservice categories (including aviation-adjacent concessions and remote site catering) and represents a broad incumbent that occasionally intersects LSG in catering tenders.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/LSGSkyChefs
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/LSGSkyChefsOfficial
• Facebookfacebook.com/LSGSkyChefs
• LinkedInde.linkedin.com/company/lsg-sky-chefs
• Instagraminstagram.com/lsgskychefs

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about LSG Group