Lufthansa’s Future Onboard Experience (FOX) launched on 6 May 2026 across Business, Premium Economy, and Economy Class on all long-haul flights, with First Class having launched at the end of March.

Developed over more than two years and timed to coincide with the airline’s centenary, FOX represents one of the largest investments in customer experience in Lufthansa’s history, with over €70 million committed in 2026 alone.

gategroup has been a central development partner throughout, working alongside Lufthansa’s culinary, product, and inflight service teams across hands-on culinary workshops, tasting sessions, and operational planning.

deSter, a gategroup member, led the design and development of more than 150 pieces of equipment.

deSter’s scope across all four cabins included tableware, service items, oven-safe casseroles for upgraded plating, crew-handling tools, comfort and amenity products, and redesigned disposables.

All items were developed to align with Lufthansa’s brand heritage and the visual language of the Allegris cabin, with weight reduction and crew efficiency as stated design objectives.

187 million individual tableware and cutlery pieces are being replaced or introduced, with approximately 300,000 Business Class main course plates procured for the launch alone.

The new service was tested across more than 110 flights, incorporating over 9,000 guest feedback responses and more than 500 crew feedback responses.

A person sits in an aeroplane seat with a meal tray featuring Virgin Australia’s new menu items like bread, butter, salad with burrata cheese, roasted vegetables, dessert, and a glass of water.
A gategroup flight attendant serves cake to a smiling passenger in Lufthansa’s elegant business class cabin, with desserts and fruit bowls on a tray table.

First and Business Class

In First Class, two Michelin-starred chef Christoph Kunz developed menus in partnership with gategroup Executive Chef Christoph Brandstaetter and Lufthansa’s culinary team.

Max Herzog, gategroup’s Executive Chef at Lufthansa’s Studio 508, oversaw menu adaptation across both First and Business Class for the specific requirements of inflight service.

In Business Class, chef Johann Lafer developed new menus in collaboration with gategroup and Lufthansa’s culinary experts.

A person in a suit sits in an aeroplane seat, enjoying Virgin Australia's new menu featuring eggs, fruit, a croissant, and juice served on a tray, while holding a cup of coffee.
A plate of rice with grilled vegetables, pecans, and garnish sits on a white tablecloth next to a glass of water, cutlery, and salt and pepper shakers—showcasing the fresh flavours from Virgin Australia’s new menu.
A flight attendant hands a rolled towel to a seated passenger in Virgin Australia's business class cabin, showcasing the airline's new menu. Four additional towels are visible on the tray.

A new breakfast pre-order service allows passengers to select from a varied menu the evening before departure, with options including smoothies, French toast, and omelettes.

One of the Lufthansa Signature Moments is a cake service that allows passengers to order coffee and cake during the flight.

The new “Sky Selection” concept allows passengers to order their second meal at any time from a selection including tapas bowls, currywurst, and macarons.

Premium Economy

The first meal service in Premium Economy has been significantly upgraded, offering a Business Class-level appetiser, a choice of three hot main courses, and fresh, warm bread.

Passengers also receive pastries or cake, an expanded beverage selection with more frequent drink service, a new digestif service, and slippers.

Economy

Economy Class passengers receive an amenity kit for the first time, containing a sleep mask and earplugs.

New tableware, cutlery, trays, and a printed menu are introduced across the cabin.

A person wearing a brown jacket sits and reads Virgin Australia's new menu, holding it open in both hands with interest.
A man sits in an aeroplane seat enjoying a meal from Virgin Australia's new menu on a tray table, with clouds outside the window and seatback screens visible.
Two plastic cups with drinks and ice from the Virgin Australia new menu sit on an aeroplane tray table with a serviette; a person is seated next to the tray.

On flights longer than ten hours, three hot main course options are now available, up from two previously, and the beverage selection has been expanded.

“Together with Lufthansa, we have worked tirelessly to bridge culinary creativity with the realities of large-scale airline operations. We are immensely proud to see this vision take flight,” said Christoph Schmitz, CEO of gategroup.

Photos: Lufthansa & gategroup