Lufthansa Group Implements AI to Reduce Food Waste and Costs

The Lufthansa Group is making strides in cutting down on unnecessary food waste and costs by utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. Dubbed 'Tray Tracker' within the airline, the innovative software has been developed in-house by Lufthansa Group technicians to meticulously track and minimize the wastage of uneaten inflight meals, ultimately reducing the amount of disposed food.

Designed by the Lufthansa Group Digital Catering Analytics Team in collaboration with zeroG, the Tray Tracker application leverages mobile technology to scan meal returns from onboard catering services at the dishwashing line. By harnessing the power of AI, the system can identify whether a meal has been partially eaten, completely consumed, or left untouched. This data provides valuable insights into passenger behavior patterns, enabling the Group to optimize portion sizes and meal selection for future flights.

Moreover, beyond streamlining operations and cutting costs, the Tray Tracker technology is set to contribute to environmental sustainability efforts by reducing CO₂ emissions. By avoiding unnecessary food wastage and optimizing loads, the total weight of the aircraft is decreased, subsequently lowering fuel requirements and overall emissions.

Since its implementation at Frankfurt in mid-2024, the Tray Tracker has proven successful, prompting the Group to expand its use to other locations, including Munich Airport. Going forward, Lufthansa intends to extend the application of this AI technology across its various airline subsidiaries, such as SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, ITA Airways, and Discover Airlines.

In parallel, the Group has introduced another machine learning-based project, "Pendle," aimed at preventing food waste. Launched by the Lufthansa Innovation Hub, Pendle utilizes advanced algorithms to optimize loading based on factors like flight duration, route, and historical demand data. Looking ahead, plans are in place to integrate Pendle with the Tray Tracker system to further enhance efficiency and reduce wastage.

Additionally, the Lufthansa Group is implementing various other initiatives to minimize food waste and enhance sustainability practices on board. Passengers flying with Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, and SWISS have the option to pre-order meals on short and medium-haul flights, as well as avail discounts on fresh products during the last flight of the day with the "to go" offer. Furthermore, premium class passengers on intercontinental flights can select their main course in advance, aiding in reducing food wastage resulting from excessive loading.

In line with its commitment to sustainability, the Group has also been transitioning from single-use plastic and aluminum items to more eco-friendly alternatives since 2022. With these collective efforts and innovative solutions, the Lufthansa Group is taking proactive steps towards reducing food waste, improving operational efficiency, and advancing environmental stewardship across its aviation network.