App to pre-order flight meals saves fuel and food
Delft Design students Joep van Gils and Inès Peeters have created a concept for an app that allows passengers to pre-order their in-flight meals when they check in online. “This is a quick win and cost-neutral solution for airlines to fly more sustainably, reduce food waste, and improve the travel experience of customers.”
The airline industry faces the huge challenge of flying CO2 neutral by 2050. Both long-term and short-term solutions are needed to achieve this goal. And thus, TU Delft | Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering (IDE) students Joep van Gils and Inès Peeters set out to find an intervention that could reduce aircraft emissions, both quickly and with relative ease.
In their literature review, the IDE students found that 0.7 kg of uneaten food is thrown away per flight per person. “That's two extra passengers on a flight with a capacity of 300 passengers,” Joep explains.
To tackle this challenge, Joep and Inès developed and designed a concept for an app that prompts passengers to choose their in-flight meals in advance during online check-in. “If people can preselect their meals, it is more likely they will actually eat them. This means less food waste, and less need to take it on board, which saves fuel. Additionally, airlines can offer travellers more control over their choices, such as dietary requirements. By doing this, they offer a better travel experience.”
Sense of luxury
It was important for the students to develop a concept that was cost-neutral, feasible, and quick to implement for the airlines. It also needed to have both a direct and positive impact on fuel consumption, and be perceived positively by flyers. Joep: “We tested the app with travellers. We surveyed 40 students, and the results were positive.”
They received feedback such as: “This makes me happy. It would be nice to have this option in real life. I also think it makes the journey more enjoyable because your expectations are better managed. I would look forward to my meal.”; and, “This gives a sense of luxury, while also doing something about food waste.”
The pre-order app was not the students' very first idea. Joep: “We also considered suggesting interventions with the caterer. Every airline works with its own caterer, for example. Which is not convenient. We also considered redesigning onboard shopping – tax-free perfumes or gadgets. This turned out not to be a good option, as sales from this business model are still rising. And we wanted a solution that wouldn’t have a negative financial impact on the airline industry.”
“I learned that sustainability doesn't have to be a difficult challenge,” Joep concludes. “On the contrary, it can add value. The pre-order system reduces food waste and improves the passenger experience. Sustainable choices can bring cost savings, innovation, as well as a better reputation.”
First step
The concept of this app is a great first step. Sicco Santema, Professor of Network Design, wants to take these results and discuss them with the airline industry to further develop them. “The concept of the pre-order app fits into the SESAME Programme,a programme that, together with Airbus and airlines, aims to make in-flight operations lighter, waste-free, and more enjoyable. Students are able to do projects within SESAME as part of their MSc education.”
About the SESAME programme
Together, Airbus and TU Delft, are collaborating in the SESAME programme. SESAME opens the door to more sustainable flying, looking at the aircraft, its interior, and its people. Besides reducing weight and waste, the programme also explores better passenger and crew experience. The solutions aim to contribute to increased effectiveness and efficiency within the airline industry. SESAME projects revolve around on-board catering, the seats, and accessories (e.g. headphones). Projects are carried out within the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering within the domain of research.
