Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX), returning to the Hamburg Messe, Germany from 28-30 May 2024, is set to provide the world’s leading platform for airlines and cabin interiors professionals across the global supply chain to shape the cabin concepts of the future.
The global aircraft cabin interiors market is experiencing a surge, with a projected CAGR of 6.81% from 2024 to 2032 (WhaTech). This growth correlates to a renewed demand for international travel, with recovery rates notably highest in the Asia-Pacific region (Pacific Asia Travel Association). Against this backdrop, AIX will offer attendees unmissable opportunities to explore the latest innovations and network with exhibitors.
Trends taking off in 2024
The 2024 edition will welcome thousands of visitors and senior airline buyers, all looking to source products and solutions for the cabin of the future. Featuring most of the world’s biggest names in the aircraft interiors industry, the show promises to offer unrivalled networking as well as learning opportunities through dedicated speaker programmes.
Already confirmed to attend are representatives from the world’s top airlines, including American Airlines, United Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, Air France and EVA Airways as well as Southwest Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, EL AL Israeli Airline, Air Transat and Air New Zealand.
At this year’s event, increased adoption of eco-friendly materials, exploring lighter weight alternatives, and implementing innovative design strategies to minimise the environmental impact of air travel, will all be on display from the likes of international leaders, Zotefoams, Expliseat, and Muirhead.
Sustainability continues to be a focus actively seeking solutions to reduce emissions and optimise fuel efficiency, featuring eco-friendly and weight-saving solutions from leading companies like Teledyne, Simona Boltaron, and Crystal Cabin Award Winner 2023, Lantal.
Improving the passenger experience for both leisure and business travellers remains a top priority for all elements of the supply chain. With the latest advancements in inflight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) playing a key role in aviation interiors, AIX will showcase exhibitors pushing the boundaries of Wi-Fi and entertainment systems.
Here, companies exhibiting at AIX for the first time, including Rosen Aviation and Stellar Entertainment, will join several global leaders, including Astronics, Thales, Panasonic.
Finally, AIX’s BizJet offering continues to grow, with refurbishment, interior design and completion products and services all on display. Equipment developer and supplier, Aerospace Technologies Group and aerospace service provider Fokker Services Group will among those showcasing their latest innovations to serve the business jet market.
Immerse yourself in innovation
AIX 2024 is the hub of innovation within the industry, bringing together over 400 exhibitors totalling a combined range of more than 1,000 products for the aircraft cabin interiors market, with brand-new solutions and partnerships set to be announced across the three days.
Attendees will be able to meet and engage with industry leaders and rising stars, including over 20 new exhibitors to the show such as PINET INDUSTRIES, DAHER, Optimum Aero, Peter-Lacke, COMI, and SABENA TECHNICS.
Teledyne will bring its award-winning ACES® Cabin Air Monitoring System which reduces operational costs for airlines. Specialists in thermoplastic materials, Simona Boltaron offer lightweight cabin interior applications, while Muirhead will display its LightCore™ leather range which is 33% lighter than standard leather.
Lantal provides an alternative approach to sustainable cabin seating materials, with its new natural leather using wet-green® tanning process to reduce water consumption during the manufacturing process.
The event will recognise the importance of inclusivity and accessible travel, featuring leading companies like Airchair and Operational Aviation Solutions. Airchair’s lightweight and compact transfer system assists passengers with reduced mobility when boarding and disembarking.
Meanwhile, Operational Aviation Solutions will debut the world’s first functionally touchless lavatory door, demonstrating advancements in accessibility.
Exhibitors ACM and Avital will present solutions that enhance comfort and satisfaction to encourage passenger wellbeing. ACM’s interactive meditation app and Avital’s passenger monitoring system exemplify the industry’s recent commitment to creating holistic and enjoyable travel experiences.
Additionally, SCHOTT will demonstrate how flexible lighting solutions contribute to a comfortable cabin environment to relax passengers.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to connect with industry newcomer, Swiss consulting service provider, Adequate Swiss; sustainable interior design experts, Avalon; 3D printing technologist, Materialise; and textile manufacturers, Vandewiele. Each will showcase their unique offerings as they contribute to the growing market.
Leading the way in connectivity
The ever-evolving In-Flight Entertainment & Connectivity (IFEC) market, projected to reach USD 6.1 billion by 2026 with a 5.2% growth rate (MarketsandMarkets), will again take the spotlight at AIX 2024.
The dedicated IFEC Zone will enable visitors to easily find the latest advancements, designed to elevate the passenger experience. This year, the zone reflects the industry’s growing focus on LEO satellite solutions, offering airlines and passengers the potential for higher bandwidth, lower latency, and a seamless in-flight experience.
Over 50 exhibitors will gather in the IFEC zone, including industry leaders like Hughes, Eclipse, and Telesat LEO. These companies are at the forefront of developing and deploying innovative connectivity solutions, leveraging both GEO and LEO satellite technologies to ensure reliable and efficient in-flight internet access.
Furthermore, Aeroplay will demonstrate how it delivers tailored content for airlines, while ThinKom will showcase its advanced antenna solutions.
Also joining the IFEC Zone, newcomer Gladi8tor, alongside partner Inflight Media Digital, will present its gaming entertainment ecosystem for the modern traveller, and Airfi will offer its 2023 Crystal Cabin award-winning LEO connectivity solution.
Dive deeper into industry topics
CabinSpace Live, the show’s dedicated speaker theatre, will offer visitors opportunities to hear and learn from the industry’s most experienced leaders and experts.
The first day’s programme, curated by media partner HMG Aerospace, will explore key industry topics through several sessions including Cabin environment: achieving the ultimate ambiance and wellbeing for passengers, In-flight entertainment: a captive audience, and Cabin refurbishment: investing to impress.
Day two, co-curated by aviation analytics specialist, Cirium, and media partner Real Response Media, will host panels and presentations touching on current trends in cabin interiors, including sessions: ‘An MRO perspective on elevating aircraft cabin interiors’ and ‘The use and impact of predictive maintenance on aircraft cabin refurbishment’.
Celebrating the leading designs
The Crystal Cabin Awards, one of the most coveted awards for industry professionals, will take place on the evening of the first day of the show, 28 May 2024. The recent shortlist announced 72 products spanning the eight award categories and demonstrated the strides the industry is making to deliver sustainable aircraft with a seamless, comfortable experience for passengers. Winning entries will be also presented at CabinSpace Live the following day.
The destination to learn and collaborate
The renowned Passenger Experience Conference, taking place one day ahead of AIX on 27 May 2024 at the Hamburg Messe, will bring together experts and visionaries from airlines, airframers, OEMs, the global supply chain and design organisations to discuss the overarching theme, ‘Innovating tomorrow’s travel experiences’.
Experts from Air Canada, Airbus, Orson Associates, Gen Phoenix, Doy Design, Flying Disabled, Omnevo, Delta Air Lines, Boeing, Icelandair, and more will be collaborating to solve the frustrations and respond to the needs of the new cohorts of travellers who will be flying into the next decade.
Attending delegates can join thought-provoking discussions and panels, uncover emerging and exclusive insights regarding future direction for passenger experiences, and help evolve the vision for the cabin of the future.
The 2024 edition of the conference will feature three streams, ‘Future Now’ will discuss the changes to the passenger experience already in progress. ‘Future Connected’ sessions will dive into how aviation can navigate the ever-competitive travel landscape, how data and technology can ease the way and create opportunity, as well as how innovations across different travel systems can inspire fresh ideas.
Lastly, ‘Future Efficient’ will examine how airlines and supply chain partners can boost profits, streamline processes, and reduce costly wastage while delivering desirable value and quality of experience to passengers.
Among those confirmed to speak, Christopher Wood, Flying Disabled, and Roberto Castiglioni, Reduced Mobility Rights, will join a representative from Boeing to discuss initiatives improving the inflight experience for travellers with disabilities.
Meanwhile, Michael Raasch, Chief Executive Officer, Omnevo; Kolbrun Ýr Jónsdóttir, Product Manager Inflight Service & Experience, Products & Service Management, Icelandair; and Kevin Clark, CEO Bluebox Aviation will be joining a conversation on the potential of artificial intelligence to revolutionise inflight experiences.
With the broad range of sessions covering future-forward industry topics, delegates will leave the conference feeling inspired and a with a clearer vision of the next decade of travel. The Welcome Party, following the conference from 18:00, will also offer invaluable networking opportunities, by bringing together the industry under one roof – tickets are also available to non-conference delegates.
Making connections in advance
All show attendees can streamline their experience and maximise investment into the show with AIX Connect, the show’s online planning tool. The platform offers personalised matchmaking recommendations and search tools to schedule meetings ahead of the event. In 2023, AIX Connect facilitated over 3,400 meetings across the three days, ensuring a productive show for all.
Polly Magraw, Event Director, Aircraft Interiors Expo, said: “We look forward to welcoming the industry in Hamburg in May to highlight exceptional passenger experiences, upcoming interior insights, supply chain partnerships, and cabin expertise.
AIX remains the only show where the biggest airlines and members of the supply chain come together to discuss cabin interiors, and with 2024 expected to be a year of growth for businesses, we are delighted to play a supporting role in that.”
Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) returns to the Hamburg Messe from 28-30 May 2024 in Halls B1 – B7. It will follow Passenger Experience Conference (PEC) on 27 May and is co-located with World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo (WTCE), which can be found in Halls A1 and A4.
Together, the events provide passenger experience professionals with a unique opportunity to identify new products and solutions throughout the cabin. Something your AIX badge allows you free access to WTCE across the 3 show days.
Registration for Aircraft Interiors Expo 2024 is now open: