Sodexo Live! and YouGov have released new research on airport lounge food, beverage and hospitality, highlighting how premium travellers in the US and UK define value beyond a place to wait. The survey of 2,166 air travellers found that self-service buffets remain the most popular option through the day, while first- and business-class passengers are more inclined towards table service and made-to-order dining at dinner.
The study was conducted in the final quarter of 2025 among travellers aged 18 to 70 who had flown first or business class and/or used an airport lounge in the previous year. It found that more than 45% associate premium lounges with comfortable, uncrowded spaces, more than 30% with attentive service and 28% or more with culinary excellence, including award-winning chefs and tableside service.
Preferences also shift by market and mealtime. The research found the sharpest US-UK differences at lunch and dinner, with economy-class travellers in the US more likely to want local flavours and UK travellers more drawn to indulgent options in the evening. Beverage innovation appears to face fewer barriers than new dishes, with travellers in both markets showing greater willingness to try a new drink than a new meal.