GERMANY/INTERNATIONAL. gategroup has partnered Lufthansa in the global launch of the airline’s new Future Onboard Experience (FOX) long-haul service concept, introduced across all cabin classes yesterday (6 May) as part of a major investment in passenger experience.
Developed over more than two years, the programme places a strong emphasis on high-quality food & beverage, personalised service and upgraded onboard comfort, with gategroup playing a central role in delivering the onboard hospitality and culinary proposition.
The roll-out spans First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy, with redesigned inflight dining, more flexible service flows and new onboard equipment forming the centrepiece of the initiative.
gategroup claimed the programme sets a new benchmark for inflight hospitality, combining culinary innovation with operational execution at scale.
Food & beverage plays a central role in the FOX proposition. Lufthansa and gategroup worked jointly on culinary development through a series of workshops, tasting sessions and operational planning exercises designed to ensure consistency and quality inflight.
In First Class, two-Michelin-starred chef Christoph Kunz partnered with gategroup Executive Chef Christoph Brandstaetter and Lufthansa’s culinary teams to create menus aligned with the airline’s premium positioning.
Business Class sees the introduction of menu concepts developed alongside chef Johann Lafer, including the ‘Sky Selection’ dining concept aimed at increasing passenger choice and personalisation.
gategroup Executive Chef Max Herzog led the adaptation of the menus for onboard execution, focusing on maintaining culinary standards at altitude across First and Business Class.
Premium Economy passengers will receive upgraded meal services and an expanded beverage selection, while Economy Class customers will see enhanced service elements, broader choice and updated amenities.
Alongside the F&B transformation, deSter – part of gategroup – developed more than 150 onboard equipment items for the programme across all four travel classes. The range includes new tableware, oven-safe casseroles, crew service tools, comfort products and redesigned disposables.
According to gategroup, the equipment has been designed to align with Lufthansa’s Allegris cabin concept while improving crew efficiency, reducing weight and supporting sustainability objectives.
gategroup CEO Christoph Schmitz commented: “The global launch of FOX is more than just a milestone; it’s a pioneering model for the future of travel. Together with Lufthansa we have worked tirelessly to bridge culinary creativity with the realities of large-scale airline operations.
“We are immensely proud to see this vision take flight, setting a new global standard for hospitality that treats every passenger to a premium, personalised journey.” ✈
