The ATLAS meal trolley carts and KSSU meal trolley carts are two mainstream standards for onboard catering service vehicles in the aviation industry. Both are made of aviation-grade aluminum alloy, stainless steel, and other materials, meeting airworthiness safety requirements, but differ in brand, design details, and market applications.
Their main difference
Brand and Standard Sources: ATLAS trolley and KSSU trolley are two distinct aviation equipment brands for airlines, each establishing technical standards and design specifications for catering trolley. ATLAS is an internationally renowned aviation equipment supplier, known for its ergonomic designs and lightweight products; KSSU trolley is also a leading brand in the aviation catering trolley sector, widely adopted by multiple airlines
Design and Functionality: Both offer a variety of models, including full size, half size, lightweight, and reduced-weight options, with optional configurations such as dry ice boxes, cooling vents, card holders, and foot kick plates. However, specific structural details (e.g., handle shapes, wheel assembly designs, insulation thickness) may vary by brand. For instance, ATLAS's M-1 series features a more rounded contour and larger handles to enhance operational comfort
Market Application and Procurement: Multiple airlines simultaneously utilize both ATLAS trolley and KSSU trolley, with some being functionally interchangeable. For instance, Xiamen Airlines procured ATLAS onboard trolley and accessories for complete replacement, while Shenzhen Airlines Food Co., Ltd.'s decommissioning notice listed both ATLAS full size trolley and KSSU full size trolley along with KSSU half size trolley, indicating their coexistence in the fleet
Procurement and Upgrades: Airlines update their meal carts based on demand. For instance, Xiamen Airlines initiated the "ATLAS Lightweight Eco-Friendly Meal Trolley Cart Replacement Project" in 2025, indicating a gradual replacement of older ATLAS carts, while KSSU meal carts may continue to be used by other airlines or within different fleets of the same airline
In summary, the ATLAS trolley and KSSU trolley are highly similar in core functions and materials, both being mainstream products in the industry. The main differences lie in the brand's design philosophy, specific specifications, and airline procurement preferences