Following implementation across the airline’s Swiss fleet and at its Marrakech (RAK) base, the reusable trays are now being rolled out across all easyJet aircraft in the UK and EU. The trays will be used by crew for all in-flight meals, replacing the single-use cardboard boxes previously used for crew meals.
The initiative is expected to replace more than 1.5 million cardboard crew meal boxes per year, reducing the volume of single-use materials used across the airline’s operations.
Made from certified food-safe plastic, the reusable trays complement other onboard measures, including reusable cups and cutlery that crew have been using for all onboard meals since their introduction in 2024.
The reusable crew meal trays form part of a wider range of initiatives being implemented by easyJet to reduce onboard waste and combine operational changes aimed at reducing emissions.
Michael Brown, Director of Cabin Services at easyJet, said: “At easyJet, we are always looking for practical ways to reduce waste across our operation. Our crew really embraced the introduction of reusable cups and cutlery and the addition of reusable trays will help prevent further single use waste from being generated.”
This is another small but important step in our efforts to reduce the impact of our operations and we’ll continue to explore further opportunities to limit waste onboard our aircraft and reduce our environmental impact.”
Maximising efficiencies to lower operational impact
The reusable crew trays are part of a wider range of initiatives easyJet is deploying to reduce aircraft waste and combine operational measures aimed at emissions reduction.
Digital fuel app: easyJet is partnering with i6 Group to introduce eHandshake, a digital refuelling platform that modernises the way fuel is ordered, delivered and verified across its network. Integrated into pilots’ existing ETechlog system, the technology provides more accurate fuel data, helping reduce unnecessary fuel uplift, lower fuel burn and improve operational efficiency. The platform is expected to save around 10,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year. It also creates a fully digital fuel workflow that improves data accuracy, strengthens invoice verification and eliminates an estimated 600,000 sheets of paper annually.
Lighter paints: In 2025, easyJet announced the adoption of a new lower-weight paint system, which is expected to achieve fuel savings of 1,296 tonnes and CO₂ reductions of 4,095 tonnes once fully implemented across the entire fleet by 2030. easyJet is the first airline to test the paint solution developed by Mankiewicz Aviation Coatings.
New ultra-lightweight seats: easyJet has selected new ultra-lightweight Kestrel seats from Mirus Aircraft Seating for future Airbus A320neo and A321neo deliveries from 2028. The seats are over 20% lighter than those currently used, helping to reduce aircraft weight, fuel burn and emissions, with expected savings of more than 40,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually.The new se ats will also provide up to two inches of additional legroom, while their durable and highly recyclable design forms part of easyJet’s wider sustainability and operational efficiency initiatives.
Tags: Michael Brown, easyJet
