Lufthansa Group Expands “Tray Tracker” to Munich in Bid to Reduce Food Waste and Enhance Sustainability
(IN SHORT) The Lufthansa Group has introduced the “Tray Tracker,” an AI-powered solution designed to reduce food waste by analyzing meal returns on flights. Following its successful implementation in Frankfurt, the technology is now in use in Munich and will expand to other Lufthansa Group locations. This innovation helps optimize meal portion sizes and reduce food waste, while also contributing to sustainability by minimizing CO₂ emissions. Additionally, the group has launched the “Pendle” project, which uses machine learning to further reduce food waste by optimizing meal loading. These efforts are part of a broader initiative to make onboard products more sustainable and reduce single-use plastic.
(PRESS RELEASE) COLOGNE, 2025-Apr-28 — /Travel PR News/ — The Lufthansa Group has unveiled its innovative “Tray Tracker,” a cutting-edge, AI-supported solution designed to reduce food waste and optimize meal offerings on board. The mobile technology scans meal returns at the dishwashing line and uses artificial intelligence to assess whether a meal has been partially consumed, completely eaten, or left untouched. Additionally, the system analyzes factors such as flight route, travel class, and meal concept to provide insights that will help refine portion sizes and meal selection in the future.
Launched in Frankfurt nearly a year ago, the Tray Tracker has now been extended to Munich, and it is set to be implemented at other Lufthansa Group locations and airlines in the future. The initiative is part of Lufthansa’s ongoing efforts to minimize food waste, reduce CO₂ emissions, and streamline in-flight catering. By preventing overloads and optimizing meal selection, the “Tray Tracker” reduces both food waste and the overall weight of the flight, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable aviation industry.
Developed by the Lufthansa Group Digital Catering Analytics Team in collaboration with Lufthansa subsidiary zeroG, the Tray Tracker is just one of several innovative projects the airline is using to address waste prevention. Another initiative, “Pendle,” was launched by the Lufthansa Innovation Hub in 2024. Pendle uses machine learning algorithms to analyze data points like flight duration, route, and demand trends, optimizing loading and helping to further reduce waste.
In addition to these initiatives, the Lufthansa Group has implemented measures to make onboard products more sustainable. Passengers on Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, and SWISS short- and medium-haul flights can now pre-order their meals, and fresh products are available at a reduced price on the last flight of the day. Premium class passengers on intercontinental flights can also select their main course in advance to further minimize food waste. Furthermore, the airline group has shifted towards more environmentally friendly alternatives, replacing one-third of single-use plastics and aluminum items with sustainable options since 2022.
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SOURCE: Lufthansa Group
