The Future of In-Flight Cutlery: Airlines Move Toward Sustainable Utensils
Originally published on IFSA
Image via Singapore Airlines
The airline industry is keenly aware of its need to reduce its environmental impact, and one immediately visible area for improvement is the use of single-use plastic products (SUPP), especially during in-flight service. As sustainability continues to become a defining feature of modern air travel, airlines worldwide are transitioning from SUPP to more environmentally responsible alternatives, such as bamboo utensils and those made from compostable materials.
The Scale of the SUPP Problem
SUPP have long been a staple of in-flight service due to their low cost and weight as well as their convenience. However, they contribute significantly to global plastic pollution. According to IATA, audits conducted at Singapore Changi Airport in 2023 and 2024 estimate that airlines produced 3.6 million tons of cabin waste in 2023. This is down from an estimated 5.7 million tons in 2017. As regulatory pressure mounts and consumer awareness grows, the aviation industry is reducing its dependence on disposable items.
Image via Delta Air Lines
In recent years, legislation banning or limiting single-use plastics has gained momentum globally. Moreover, travelers have become increasingly eco-conscious. According to the IATA passenger survey conducted in November 2023, which gathered insights from 6,500 respondents worldwide, more than 75% of passengers would feel better about flying if it did not involve single-use plastics. What’s more, over three-quarters of respondents said they would support fewer food and beverage options if the in-flight catering was plastic-free.
Today, airlines recognize that sustainability is a regulatory obligation and a competitive differentiator. As such, over 40 are already implementing single-use plastics reduction and replacement programs, with some starting as early as 2018, according to the IATA Single Use Plastic Products (SUPP) in the Airline Sector report. Published in March 2024, the report is meant to assist airlines, regulators and the airline supply chain to alleviate the environmental impacts of single-use plastics.
Bamboo: Material of the Moment
Image via All Nippon Airways
Several airlines have introduced cutlery from bamboo and other compostable materials. Bamboo is a fast-growing renewable resource that requires minimal processing and is biodegradable. Airlines such as Qantas, Air New Zealand, and All Nippon Airways have introduced bamboo utensils in economy class, significantly reducing their plastic footprint.
Furthermore, Delta Air Lines has introduced bamboo cutlery on first-class domestic flights. Delta Air Lines Vice President of Sustainability Amelia DeLuca commented, “We want to protect our planet and the people on it, and the products we provide onboard are the latest way we’re living out this commitment.”
In October 2024, Southwest Airlines introduced bamboo-based cups for in-flight service. These cups are made from a blend of 75% bamboo and 25% paper and are intended to reduce the airline’s reliance on plastic.
Stainless Steel Still has a Place, and not Just Upfront
Image via Emirates
For premium cabins, many airlines continue to opt reusable metal cutlery. Carriers such as Emirates, Singapore Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, and Lufthansa provide stainless steel utensils that are collected, cleaned, and reused across multiple flights. LOT Polish Airlines, Edelweiss Air, and Swiss International Airlines also provide metal reusable cutlery in economy class.
Similarly, Etihad Airways uses stainless-steel cutlery in economy class. According to Terry Daly, Etihad Airways’ Executive Director of Guest Experience, Brand, and Marketing, the stainless-steel cutlery was implemented after “extensive research and development through our eco-flights over the past few years.” While metal and stainless steel cutlery has a higher upfront cost and adds marginally to the aircraft’s weight, its reusability makes it a more sustainable long-term option.
Plus, companies continue to strip weight out of stainless steel utensils specifically designed for airlines. Last month, in-flight products specialist Sky-Blue said it was “in the final stages of developing and testing a range of ultra-lightweight cutlery made from stainless-steel” that is 60 percent lighter than traditional sets.
Wheat-Based Non-Plastic Cutlery and More: What does the Future Hold?
CYCLUPS’ PLQ 003 material is a sturdy yet slightly flexible non-plastic. Image via CYCLUPS
At this year’s World Travel Catering and Onboard Services Expo (WTCE), there were multiple companies showcasing sustainable alternatives to plastic cutlery. One example is CYCLUPS, which uses a material called PLQ for its products including cutlery, ice spoons, stirrers and straws.
PLQ is made of rest streams from wheat. A rest stream is characterized as waste that remains after all recyclable, compostable and recoverable materials have been separated from the waste stream. Furthermore, PLQ is fully compostable, which CYCLUPS defines as being “90% of the original mass [being] smaller than 2 millimeters [after 12 weeks].” The company says after that, it is a nutrient for farmers and their soil.
Following WTCE, CYCLUPS founder and CEO Lars Batten posted on LinkedIn, “We’re currently supplying our first airliners, running exciting pilots with major international airlines, and there’s an even bigger pilot coming up with one of the largest carriers in the world. Stay tuned…”
Goodbye, SUPP
As airlines strive to meet their sustainability targets and respond to environmental concerns, the shift to sustainable in-flight cutlery will likely accelerate. While challenges persist, the broader trend is clear: single-use plastic cutlery is on the way out of the airline industry. The future of in-flight cutlery will reflect a wider transformation in the aviation industry, which prioritizes innovation, passenger engagement and sustainability at every turn.
