AIX 2023 exclusive: advances in technology revolutionise the passenger experience

Inflight speaks exclusively with Polly Magraw, Event Director of the Aircraft Interiors Expo. The event will be taking place in Hamburg on 6-8 June.

What are the main topics of focus that AIX will be exploring this year?

A key area of focus this year, as with every year, will be in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC). It has been estimated that the global in-flight entertainment and connectivity market size could reach USD 11.79 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 8.4% from 2023 to 2030. We are seeing people’s digital dependency increase exponentially, accelerated by the pandemic, and they are now demanding the same connectivity experience they have on the ground, 35,000 feet in the air.

This is an immense opportunity for airlines, and one that suppliers are seizing on with impressive levels of innovation. Fittingly, the IFEC Zone returns, spanning halls B2-B4, in which we will be welcoming over 50 exhibiting companies to showcase their latest innovations and solutions. This spans seatback systems and streaming platforms to connectivity hardware and software, bring-your-own-device (BYOD) systems and the newly emerging LEO satellite capabilities that have been tipped to revolutionise cabin connectivity.

Attendees will have a unique opportunity to gain a comprehensive overview of the market, chat to experts, and touch and test market-leading solutions from some of the industry’s biggest names, including Astronics Corporation, ViaSat, Thales, Panasonic Avionics Corporation, and Inmarsat Global Ltd, who are set to define the next generation of IFEC.

What are the new features in store for this year?

Not a new feature as such, but it’s great to be able to welcome new exhibitors such as 9T Labs AG, Aeras Aircraft Seating, Hughes and SkyFive AG to AIX 2023 this year. It brings us immense pride to expand the aircraft interiors community and enable new exhibitors to connect with the global supply chain, showcase their latest innovations to new, highly targeted audiences, strengthen existing partnerships and forge new relationships.

Additionally, the increased attention on business jets at this year’s show is likely to provide new opportunities. This year, there are 17 unique business jet operators exhibiting, in addition to 170 unique airlines and 900+ VIP visitors from airlines, lessors and business jet operators, making AIX the perfect location to connect with buyers, suppliers, engineers, and designers in this space.

What are you most looking forward to at the event?

It’s difficult to know where to start! With everything that’s going on and the nature of the event, there are many things that come to mind, but one thing I look forward to every year is the opportunity to provide a platform which brings together so many industry experts through our conference theatres.

The CabinSpace Live Seminar returns as a dedicated theatre conference to discuss the future of the industry and beyond. This year, we are delighted to announce our partnership with Inflight Magazine. The editorial team will lead sessions covering connectivity, accessibility, high-tech ancillaries, and aircraft seating across five sessions throughout the day. It will also play host to the winners of this year’s Crystal Cabin Awards, the highest accolade and prize for innovation in the aircraft interiors industry, as they showcase their latest designs and cutting-edge advances, offering a tantalising glimpse of the future of air travel.

I am also hugely excited for the return of Passenger Experience Conference – our one-day event which brings together experts and visionaries from airlines, airframers, OEMs, suppliers and design organisations to discuss the future of passenger experience, onboard environments, and services.

How do you see the aircraft interiors industry developing?

Ongoing advances in technology continue to revolutionise the passenger experience and create greater opportunities for collaboration, connectivity, and personalisation onboard. I suspect we’ll see aircraft interiors suppliers making huge strides in their efforts to deliver more sustainable solutions for airlines, helping them to reduce their carbon footprint while offering passengers new ways to offset their carbon emissions.

As we look ahead to our return to Hamburg, we’re once again excited to welcome the industry back together to network, connect, source, and learn, continuing discussions and creating business opportunities to support the industry’s ongoing revival.