Kenya Airways announced that from November 1, 2026 it will shift its inflight duty-free shopping to an online platform in a five-year partnership with Safari Duty Free.
The new Kenya Airways Duty-Free webstore will let passengers browse an expanded catalogue and pre-order items from 40 days up to 72 hours before departure, with purchases delivered to their seats.
Prices on the platform are advertised as up to 15 per cent lower than those in airport duty-free shops and a 5 per cent launch discount will apply to all webstore products until November 30, 2026.
Julius Thairu, Kenya Airways chief commercial and customer officer, said the initiative creates a modern retail experience that begins before take-off and continues seamlessly onboard.
Safari Duty Free managing director Vivek Mehra said the partnership will combine the retailer’s expertise with Kenya Airways’ reach to deliver a richer shopping experience for travellers.
Pauline Kihara, Kenya Airways head of inflight and catering, explained that digitising the catalogue gives passengers more time to consider products, greater choice, convenience and flexibility while reducing the limits of traditional onboard browsing.
The expanded catalogue will feature international brands as well as Kenyan and African products such as Procera Gin, Wamama Wetu beaded crafts and items from East African Breweries Limited, covering beauty, skincare, fragrances, fashion accessories, electronics and travel essentials.
Kihara noted stronger uptake of duty-free items among economy-class passengers and identified business-class as a growth area.
The move reflects a broader industry focus on ancillary revenue, with IATA projecting global airline ancillary revenues to rise by 12.6 per cent in 2026.
