<!-- canonical: https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/girona-style-custard-pastries -->
<!-- robots: noindex -->

# Girona-Style Custard Pastries
Capital One Landing Serves Fried Catalan Xuxos to Travelers

By Adam Harrie | Written with AI assistance | Published 2026-10-05 | World
Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/girona-style-custard-pastries
References: [viewfromthewing](https://viewfromthewing.com/capital-ones-dca-lounge-has-cream-filled-pastries-so-good-ive-gone-back-for-seconds)

![Girona-Style Custard Pastries](https://cdn.trendhunterstatic.com/thumbs/640/girona-style-custard-pastries.jpeg)

Capital One Landing is offering travelers at Washington National a richer lounge breakfast option with 'xuxos,' fried Catalan pastries that pair a crisp, sugar-dusted shell with a creamy center. Instead of another plain croissant, visitors can pick up something closer to a [doughnut-croissant mash-up](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dubai-chocolate-crookie) while waiting near the gates.

The pastry originates in Girona, Catalonia, Spain, and dates to 1918, giving the lounge menu a more specific regional identity than standard airport baked goods. Capital One Landing offered crema catalana and passionfruit cream versions, letting guests choose between spiced citrus notes and a brighter fruit filling.

For travelers, this means an [airport lounge stop](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/air-canada-caf) that can double as a destination snack rather than just a place to sit. Generic airport pastries look less appealing when one lounge makes a [filled, fried specialty pastry](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/richs-flips) the item people remember.

Image Credit: Capital One Landing

## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter)

- Score: 3.9/10
- Popularity: 8% | Activity: 8% | Freshness: 100%
- Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women
- Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X
- Top markets: North America

## Categories

[Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [World](https://www.trendhunter.com/world) > [Travel](https://www.trendhunter.com/travel)

## Key Themes

### What's Driving This Trend

- **Regional Airport Pastries:** Airport lounges are differentiating food programs with highly specific regional baked goods that turn routine pre-flight visits into memorable culinary touchpoints.
- **Destination Lounge Dining:** Premium travel spaces are becoming snack destinations as distinctive menu items create stronger reasons for travelers to seek out branded hospitality experiences.
- **Hybrid Indulgent Breakfasts:** Mash-up pastries with familiar formats and elevated fillings signal opportunities for comfort-driven breakfast items that feel both novel and accessible.

### Who This Affects Most

- **Airport Hospitality:** Lounge operators can use signature regional foods to compete beyond seating and amenities, making cuisine a more visible part of the travel value proposition.
- **Foodservice:** Limited-menu venues are benefiting from standout specialty items that simplify operations while giving guests a more distinctive reason to remember the brand.
- **Travel Retail:** Culinary exclusives in transit environments create new premium positioning for food offerings that function as both convenience purchases and experiential souvenirs.

## Related on Trend Hunter

- [Gourmet Festive Creations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gourmet-festive-creations.md)
- [Football-Themed Pastry Treats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/footballthemed-pastry-treats.md)
- [Healthy Airport Dining](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Healthy-airport-dining.md)
- [Luxe Cotton Candy Treats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/art-of-sucre.md)
- [Miniature French Bakery Bites](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/creme-brle-bites.md)
- [Latin Dessert Donut Ranges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/destination-dessert-collection.md)
- [Exclusive Cuban-Inspired Desserts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pastelito-dazzler.md)
- [Branded Inflight Cookie Packs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/legally-addictive-foods.md)
- [Seasonal Lounge Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/airport-lounge-menus.md)
