Are the days of inflight duty-free numbered?

Swiss will stop selling watches, perfumes, cosmetics and other popular products on board its aircraft this year, joining a growing list of airlines – including Qantas, Finnair, United Airlines, Lufthansa and KLM – to dump the once-popular inflight service.

The appeal of duty-free at 40,000 feet has been dented and in decline over the years due to improved duty-free retail outlets at airports, as well as the greater availability of goods and greater price competition through online shopping.

In a statement explaining its decision, Swiss said “fewer and fewer guests are making purchases inflight.”

“More and more passengers now research products at home, compare prices online, and make their purchases before they even arrive at the airport. The spontaneous purchase from the onboard duty-free trolley has become the exception – no longer the rule.”

Swiss will axe inflight duty-free sales on its flights at the end of September, shifting entirely to the digital Miles & More Worldshop; its parent Lufthansa made the same move in September 2025.

Inflight sales are a legacy of the glory days of flying when airlines offered significant discounts on alcohol, cigarettes, perfume and other items.

Removing those laden carts and other stocks of duty-free goods – much of which remains unsold at the end of each flight – reduces the overall weight of the aircraft at a time when carriers are seeking to reduce their fuel bills.