Flying has always been about more than just getting from point A to point B—it's about the experience, the service, and increasingly, the impact on our planet. In recent years, airlines have faced growing pressure to operate more sustainably, and Lufthansa Group is stepping up to the challenge with a high-tech twist: artificial intelligence.
The Challenge of Food Waste in the Skies
Imagine preparing thousands of meals every day, not knowing exactly how many will be eaten, left untouched, or only partially enjoyed. For airlines, this uncertainty leads to over-catering, which means more food waste, higher costs, and unnecessary carbon emissions. Lufthansa Group recognized this challenge and decided to tackle it head-on with innovative AI solutions.
Meet the Tray Tracker: AI at the Dishwashing Line
Enter the "Tray Tracker," a mobile device that’s changing the way Lufthansa manages onboard catering. After each flight, meal trays are scanned at the dishwashing line. Using artificial intelligence, the Tray Tracker determines whether a meal was completely eaten, partially consumed, or left untouched. It also considers factors like flight route, travel class, and meal concept.
The insights gathered are invaluable. By understanding passenger preferences and consumption patterns, Lufthansa can fine-tune portion sizes and meal selections, ensuring that just the right amount of food is prepared for each flight. This not only reduces waste but also lightens the load—literally—helping to cut down on CO₂ emissions by avoiding unnecessary weight.
Expanding Innovation: From Frankfurt to Munich and Beyond
The Tray Tracker has already been making a difference at Lufthansa’s Frankfurt hub for nearly a year, and it’s now scanning trays in Munich as well. The plan is to roll out this technology to more locations and airlines within the Lufthansa Group, amplifying its positive impact.
Pendle: Predicting Demand with Machine Learning
But Lufthansa isn’t stopping there. The company’s Innovation Hub recently launched "Pendle," a project that uses machine learning algorithms to analyze data points like flight duration, route, and historical demand. The goal? To optimize how much food is loaded onto each flight, further reducing waste and improving efficiency. In the future, Lufthansa aims to link Tray Tracker and Pendle, creating a seamless, data-driven approach to sustainable catering.
Empowering Passengers and Embracing Sustainability
Lufthansa Group is also giving passengers more control. On short- and medium-haul flights with Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, and SWISS, travelers can pre-order their preferred meals. On the last flight of the day, fresh products are offered at a reduced price, ensuring that nothing goes to waste. Premium class passengers on intercontinental flights can select their main course before departure, helping to tailor meal preparation and minimize leftovers.
Sustainability goes beyond food, too. Lufthansa is phasing out single-use plastics and aluminum, replacing a third of these items with more eco-friendly alternatives since 2022.
Actionable Takeaways for Travelers and the Industry
- Pre-order your meal when possible to help airlines plan better and reduce waste.
- Support sustainable initiatives by choosing airlines that invest in eco-friendly practices.
- Stay informed about how technology is shaping a greener future for air travel.
Summary: Key Points
- Lufthansa Group uses AI-powered tools like Tray Tracker and Pendle to reduce food waste and CO₂ emissions.
- Passengers can pre-order meals and buy fresh products at reduced prices to help minimize waste.
- The airline is replacing single-use plastics and aluminum with sustainable alternatives.
- These innovations are being expanded across more locations and airlines within the group.
- Data-driven insights are shaping a more sustainable future for airline catering.