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Best buys in the sky: What is worth shopping for during a flight?
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The in-flight retail market was valued at US$3.5 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to more than US$5 billion by 2030.
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
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- The in-flight retail market is booming, expected to exceed US$5 billion by 2030, with airline merchandise being the top-selling product category.
- Airlines use merchandise to build customer loyalty by creating emotional connections and brand affinity.
- Plane models, brand collaborations (like Scoot's Pokemon partnership) and upcycled aviation products enhance travel experiences and preserve aviation history.
AI generated
SINGAPORE – It is the traveller’s guilty pleasure: flipping through an in-flight shopping catalogue or scrolling through an airline’s online shop, only to suddenly be convinced that a model aircraft or limited-edition mug is a must-buy.
Perhaps not all end up spending money. But according to an August report by Paris-headquartered travel service solutions company Moment, passengers currently fork out an average of US$90 (S$116) on in-flight ancillary services, such as seat selection, Wi-Fi packages, food and shopping. Spending is projected to grow to US$120 a passenger by 2030.
