Kenya Airways has introduced a new online duty-free shopping service allowing passengers to purchase products before travelling and have their orders delivered directly to their seats onboard.
The service became operational on Sunday, November 1, 2026, following a five-year partnership between the national carrier and Safari Duty Free.
Under the new arrangement, passengers can browse products, compare prices and place orders through the Kenya Airways Duty-Free Webstore before boarding their flights.
The airline said the new platform would offer products at prices up to 15 per cent lower than those available at airport duty-free shops.
Customers will also enjoy an additional five per cent discount on purchases made through the webstore until November 30, 2026.
Passengers can place orders from 40 days before departure up to 72 hours before their scheduled flights.
The purchases will then be delivered directly to their seats during the flight, eliminating the need to wait for traditional onboard duty-free shopping services. The online platform is accessible through dutyfree.kenya-airways.com.
Kenya Airways said the service would be available across its network of 42 destinations worldwide, including 35 destinations in Africa.
The platform will feature a wider selection of international brands, luxury products, beauty and skincare items, fragrances, watches, jewellery, electronics, travel accessories and gifts.
It will also include selected Kenyan and African products, giving local businesses an opportunity to reach international travellers through the airline’s network.
Customers will be able to make payments in four currencies: Kenyan shillings, US dollars, British pounds and euros.
Kenya Airways Chief Commercial and Customer Officer Julius Thairu said the partnership was intended to improve passenger experiences by offering greater convenience, product variety and competitive prices.
“With Safari Duty Free, we are creating a modern retail experience that begins before take-off and continues seamlessly onboard,” Thairu said.
Safari Duty Free Managing Director Vivek Mehra said the partnership would combine the company’s retail expertise with Kenya Airways’ international reach.
He added that the arrangement would provide travellers with a wider selection of products while improving the convenience of shopping before and during flights.
Kenya Airways Acting Chief Operations Officer Captain Paul Njoroge also revealed that the airline was considering extending the online shopping service to its airport lounges.
The proposed expansion would allow passengers to shop while waiting for their flights rather than limiting purchases to the onboard experience.
The partnership comes as airlines increasingly turn to additional services beyond ticket sales to generate revenue and improve their financial performance.
These services, commonly known as ancillary revenues, include baggage fees, seat selection, onboard meals and duty-free shopping.
According to the International Air Transport Association’s 2026 industry outlook, global airline ancillary revenues were projected to grow by 12.6 per cent to US$165 billion in 2026, compared with projected growth of 9.2 per cent in passenger ticket revenues.
Kenya Airways’ digital duty-free platform is part of this broader shift towards expanding onboard retail and improving passenger convenience.
The five-year agreement gives Safari Duty Free responsibility for managing the airline’s inflight retail programme, including product selection, brand partnerships, merchandising, digital operations and customer service.
