gategroup has been selected by Vueling as its new Retail-on-Board and catering partner across the airline’s network, marking the start of a strategic collaboration focused on improving the onboard experience through smarter retail, stronger culinary delivery, and more connected technology.
As one of Europe’s leading carriers and a key player in Spanish connectivity, Vueling is continuing to invest in making travel more simple, modern, and enjoyable. Through this new partnership, gategroup will support that ambition with a 360º digital retail ecosystem designed to strengthen both customer experience and operational efficiency.
At the core of the partnership is gateretail’s integrated suite of retail technology. This will give Vueling access to real-time insights, advanced data analytics, and digital touchpoints that help streamline onboard operations while opening the door to new inflight service opportunities. The goal is not only to improve how retail is delivered in the cabin, but also to make the offering more relevant, convenient, and responsive to passenger needs.
The partnership also extends beyond retail. gategroup will provide a scalable, future-ready catering and Retail-on-Board model that combines culinary quality with operational consistency. Through gategourmet and Evertaste, Vueling will benefit from curated meal solutions tailored to passenger preferences, alongside healthy meals for crew and pilots produced through centralized facilities designed to ensure safety, reliability, and standardization across the value chain.
For both companies, the collaboration is also about long-term innovation. Continuous innovation sessions between gategroup and Vueling teams will help shape new retail and product concepts, allowing both partners to stay ahead of changing customer expectations and wider industry developments.
Christoph Schmitz, CEO of gategroup, said the partnership reflects a shared focus on creating a more seamless and user-centric passenger journey. Melanie Berry, Chief Customer Officer at Vueling, added that the collaboration will help introduce new retail and culinary concepts while using advanced technology to make the inflight offer more relevant and enjoyable for customers.
Together, the partnership highlights a clear ambition: to deliver a more connected, efficient, and engaging onboard experience across Vueling’s network.
About Vueling
Vueling, a company belonging to the IAG group, is a benchmark airline in Europe and key to connectivity in Spain.
It is a leader in its main base in the Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat, and in other relevant markets in Spain such as Bilbao. It also leads the connection between the peninsula and the Balearic and Canary Islands. At an international level, it is working to strengthen its presence in bases such as Paris-Orly or London-Gatwick. The company has a network of around 250 routes a year connecting 30 countries. In 2025, it has operated more than 225,000 flights and carried 38 million passengers.
With more than 5,000 employees, Vueling is Europe’s only Top Employer airline. The company is strongly committed to the decarbonisation of the sector and, as part of the IAG group, has committed to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050 through the implementation of the FlightPath Net Zero strategy.
True to its digital DNA, Vueling was the first airline to sell tickets through the mobile application and to have a digital boarding pass with a QR code. The airline also has a team of more than 600 people working in its innovation hubs in Barcelona and Zaragoza.
About gategroup
gategroup is a leading global provider of airline catering, retail-on-board, and hospitality products and services. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, the company serves millions of passengers through a network of nearly 200 locations in more than 60 countries. By leveraging innovation and operational expertise, gategroup partners with the world’s leading airlines to create exceptional travel experiences.
Featured image credited to John Walton
