From January 2026, Brussels Airlines will expand its culinary offerings, integrating regionally inspired dishes from sub-Saharan Africa into its in-flight service. The airline, which operates within the Lufthansa Group as the specialist provider for the African continent, currently serves 18 destinations in the region.
The aim of this initiative is to strengthen ties with the African market through authentic flavors and traditional cooking techniques. The new menu options will be offered on long-haul flights from Africa to Brussels and will complement the existing onboard selection.
The catering concept features regularly changing dishes based on local ingredients. In Business Class, the first course is a South African-style braised Cape Malay Chicken with cashews, mango, and coriander. Economy Class passengers will enjoy dishes including Cod Mbongo, a traditional Cameroonian fish dish. According to the airline's product management, these adjustments are intended to personalize the onboard experience, offering travelers either a final taste of home or a culinary introduction to their destination. The preparation of the meals has been specifically tailored to the cabin environment and the logistical requirements of flight operations.
Additional market analyses reveal that Brussels Airlines intends to defend its market share on profitable African routes against competitors such as Air France and Ethiopian Airlines with this strategy. The company is currently investing heavily in modernizing its cabin product and ground infrastructure. In addition to replacing tableware and optimizing service processes, the opening of a new airport lounge in Brussels is planned for summer 2026. While flights departing from Belgium will continue to focus on Belgian fine cuisine, the new African menu will serve as a counterpart for return flights from destinations south of the Sahara.
The economic importance of the Africa network for Brussels Airlines is considerable, as a large proportion of its passenger volume consists of transfer passengers connecting to the USA or Europe via the Brussels hub. By focusing its onboard product more regionally, the airline aims to increase customer loyalty in the growth markets of West and Central Africa. Technically, this is ensured through collaborations with local catering partners at the respective African locations, guaranteeing the freshness of ingredients and the authenticity of recipes.