By Elke Porter | Canadian German Business News | April 28, 2025

Lufthansa Group is taking a major step toward sustainability by using artificial intelligence to cut down onboard food waste. Their innovative "Tray Tracker" technology, developed by the Lufthansa Group Digital Catering Analytics Team in collaboration with subsidiary zeroG, scans meal returns at the dishwashing line after flights. The AI analyzes whether meals were partially eaten, fully consumed, or left untouched, considering factors like flight route, travel class, and meal concept.

By studying these insights, Lufthansa aims to optimize portion sizes and menu offerings, leading to more efficient meal planning. Reducing unnecessary food transport will not only lower food waste but also decrease aircraft weight, helping to cut CO₂ emissions.

The Tray Tracker has been operational at Lufthansa’s Frankfurt hub for nearly a year and was recently introduced in Munich. Plans are underway to expand its use across more Lufthansa Group locations and airlines.

In parallel, Lufthansa Innovation Hub launched another AI-driven project called "Pendle" in 2024. This system uses machine learning to predict food demand based on flight data, such as route and duration, further optimizing onboard catering. Eventually, the two initiatives are expected to be linked for even greater efficiency.

Beyond AI innovations, the Lufthansa Group is implementing broader sustainability measures. Passengers flying Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, and SWISS can now pre-order meals for short- and medium-haul flights or purchase fresh items at a discount during the last flight of the day. Premium class travelers can select their main course before departure, ensuring better meal planning and reduced waste.

Lufthansa is also replacing single-use plastics and aluminum with more sustainable materials, with one-third of such products already swapped out since 2022. Together, these initiatives highlight Lufthansa’s commitment to a greener, more responsible future in aviation.

#Lufthansa #Aviation Innovation #Sustainable Travel #Food Waste Reduction #AI in Aviation #Green Flying #German Canadian Business News #WBN News Global #Elke Porter

Connect with Elke at Westcoast German Media or on LinkedIn: Elke Porter or contact her on WhatsApp:  +1 604 828 8788

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