dnata grows Aer Lingus partnership with onboard retail experience
Five-year retail agreement expands dnata’s catering and retail partnership with Aer Lingus
dnata Catering & Retail has launched Aer Lingus’ new inflight retail program, strengthening its long-term partnership with the Irish flag carrier.
The agreement covers a five-year inflight retail contract alongside the remaining five-year contract of dnata’s hub catering services, reflecting Aer Lingus’ confidence in the company’s end-to-end operational expertise. The expanded retail operations cover more than 180 Aer Lingus flights daily across the country including Dublin, Shannon and Cork, as well as Manchester, England.
Under this new partnership, dnata is responsible for the full management of the retail program, from product sourcing and procurement to warehousing and technology provision. The collaboration will continue to evolve, introducing new ways for passengers to browse and personalize onboard shopping, with the range shaped by feedback to reflect passenger preferences and enhance the inflight experience.
"This partnership takes our collaboration with Aer Lingus to the next level–uniting our expertise in catering, retail and technology to create an exceptional onboard experience. Together, we are delivering a modern, data-driven retail program that celebrates Irish brands, improves efficiency and enhances passenger choice," said Robin Padgett, CEO, dnata Catering & Retail.
The inflight retail range showcases a curated mix of local Irish and international brands, reflecting Aer Lingus’ signature warmth and hospitality. Travelers can look forward to homegrown favorites such as Sculpted by Aimee, Tan Organic, BPerfect and The Smooth Company, alongside Deli-Lites, which provides freshly made Irish sandwiches and wraps.
The launch coincides with Aer Lingus’ festive season menu, featuring seasonal favorites such as the festive turkey and stuffing sandwich, Christmas cheese and cracker box, as well as holiday-themed gift items.
Looking ahead, passenger feedback will play a central role in shaping the evolving onboard range, ensuring future offerings continue to reflect passenger tastes and the best of Irish hospitality.
To elevate convenience and accessibility, traveler can browse the onboard magazine “Bia” digitally pre-flight and purchase featured products directly on board. The initiative is powered by dnata’s integrated retail technology ecosystem, enabling contactless payments, real-time data analytics and self-serve reporting capabilities that support Aer Lingus in driving data-led decisions and operational efficiency.
"The addition of inflight retail to the existing partnership we have with dnata will drive significant operational benefits, whilst enhancing our customer experience at the same time. The program will be delivered via a crew iOS app, which will allow for a data-driven product range tailored to our customers’ preferences and proudly showcasing a wide selection of Irish brands," said Adrian Dunne, Chief Operations Officer, Aer Lingus.
The program will serve more than 10.5 million Aer Lingus passengers annually, offering a refreshed onboard experience and new opportunities for innovation across both retail and catering.
