Turkish-Dutch leisure airline Corendon Airlines is deepening its collaboration with the restaurant concept Mangal Döner, founded by football star Lukas Podolski and his business partner Metin Dag. From now on, Turkish pizza Lahmacun will be offered as part of the in-flight menu on selected routes. The snack consists of a flatbread made with yeast dough and a topping combination of minced meat, tomatoes, and onions. The offer is initially available on flights departing from the German airports of Düsseldorf and Cologne/Bonn. With a starting price of €6,50, the airline aims to enhance its culinary profile in the highly competitive leisure flight market by offering popular street food products.
This expansion follows a partnership that began in 2024, during which doner sandwiches and the yogurt drink Ayran were successfully integrated into the in-flight catering. According to Corendon Airlines' Chief Operating Officer, Atilay Batu, the food offerings are a key factor in customer satisfaction during flights. The collaboration leverages the popularity of Lukas Podolski, who, through his sporting career and his culinary ventures, represents a strong connection between Germany and Turkey. For the catering duo Podolski and Dag, this move into the aircraft cabin represents a further scaling of their brand beyond the traditional brick-and-mortar snack bar.
The partnership is also closely linked to Corendon Airlines' sponsorship strategy. The airline supports various sports clubs, including the Polish club Górnik Zabrze, where Lukas Podolski is currently under contract. Additional industry reports indicate that Corendon uses such exclusive collaborations to differentiate itself from other low-cost carriers and strengthen passenger identification with the brand. While many airlines have reduced their complimentary catering, leisure carriers are increasingly focusing on attractive "buy-on-board" offers to tap into additional revenue streams and simultaneously personalize the in-flight experience.
Technically, introducing lahmacun and doner kebab on board places special demands on logistics and preparation in the aircraft's galley ovens. To preserve the texture of the flatbread and the seasoning of the toppings, the products are specially adapted for heating under the low humidity conditions in the cabin. Delivery is handled by specialized catering partners at Cologne and Düsseldorf airports, who load the Mangal products directly into the aircraft trolleys. If the partnership proves successful, Corendon plans to expand it to other departure airports in Germany and Europe to increase the reach of the Mangal brand in international air travel.