WTCE 2025: Defining the Future of Onboard Excellence and Passenger Experience.

The World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo (WTCE) will be held in Hamburg from 8-10 April 2025. The thirteenth edition promises to bring together the world’s top air, rail, and cruise operators, with exhibitors presenting the latest onboard product innovations, services, and trends in inflight catering, passenger comfort, and onboard services. The event will take place at the Hamburg Messe and will feature more extensive features than ever before.

The latest report from the ACI World Traffic Forecasts 2023-2025 indicates that global air passenger traffic is projected to exceed pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2024, reaching 9.7 billion. This presents a significant opportunity for airline operators to tailor their services to meet the needs of current and future passengers. The trend is expected to continue, with air passenger traffic forecasted to double by 2042. Asian countries are expected to dominate the top three spots, surpassing the US as the leading market for total passenger traffic. To ensure passenger satisfaction, airlines need to focus on creating a memorable passenger experience by incorporating technology, sustainability, and well-being

WTCE 2025 will feature the return of well-known elements on the show floor and the introduction of new components that should not be missed.

One new feature at WTCE 2025 is the “Tech Trail,” which will showcase industry leaders in onboard technology. Exhibitors will address onboard payment, customer meal pre-orders, and inventory management to enhance the overall passenger experience.

The ‘Steps to Sustainability’ feature will return in 2025 to celebrate companies leading the way in sustainability. The showcase will include a curated range of onboard products, from organic food and drinks to environmentally-conscious amenities and tableware.

Also returning for its third year at WTCE, the ‘Wellbeing Walk-through’ will continue to promote a range of exhibitors that are making strides in onboard wellness. The trail will highlight key exhibitors showcasing a selection of wellbeing-focused products, from healthy food and beverages to soft goods and amenity kits.

Exhibitors will be able to submit applications for the Tech Trail, Steps to Sustainability, and Wellbeing Walk-through in early October 2024.

The 2025 event has already sold over 80% of its show floor space, with many exhibitors signed up. Noteworthy companies include Linstol a global leader in sustainable in-flight passenger comforts; dnata, one of the world’s largest air services providers and onboard catering companies; and Buzz Products, a supplier of luxury amenity kits, skincare, sleeper suits, meal service ware, and children’s kits.

The show will also welcome Catrion, a top provider of culinary and hospitality services, Diageo Global Travel with its international portfolio of alcoholic and non-alcoholic brands for consumers in travel retail, and En Route, the leading global specialist in passenger solutions, supply chain services, and sourcing for airlines and airline caterers, among others.

The WTCE 2025 will feature brand new exhibitors in the New Exhibitor Village, including Off-Piste Wines, offering a range of award-winning brands to the UK and global markets, Sattviko with its range of healthy snack options and instant meals, and Neuhaus Chocolates, the inventor of the Belgian praline, among others.