Discover the Future of Cabin Interiors and IFE Innovation at AIX 2023

The 2023 edition of Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) will open its doors in just six weeks’ time. From 6-8 June, airline professionals from around the world will come together in Hamburg, Germany to seek out the latest innovations from the cabin interiors and inflight entertainment industry, and suppliers are gearing up by announcing their plans for the event.

Time to get comfortable
Recaro Aircraft Seating (stand 7B20) returns to AIX 2023 with its latest seating solutions. The lightweight CL3810 economy class seat and the ‘mini-suite in the sky’ CL6720 business class seat will be featured, as well as a never-before-seen premium-class product designed for long-haul flights. At the Customer Service Corner on the booth, guests will be able to experience fresh and innovative concepts that prioritise efficiency for regional jet operators and lessors. In addition, the company’s brand-new Innovation Station will give guests a glimpse of how Recaro Aircraft Seating is investing in smart technology and sustainable materials to make future cabins more efficient and flexible.

Dr Mark Hiller, CEO of Recaro Aircraft Seating and Recaro Holding, commented: “AIX is about two things: people and products. I always look forward to connecting with partners, suppliers and old friends, while also getting to see which innovations spark inspiration for the industry.”

Meanwhile, for the first time ever, Aviointeriors (5A30) will present its new tailor-made seat designed for eVTOL aircraft in anticipation of the new certification rules that are going to be introduced by FAA/EASA.

The company will also display its new range of innovative seating products that will deliver new levels of cabin comfort to passengers. Its premium Synthesis EVO seat has been designed to include many comfort features, while its Allegra business-class staggered seat for widebody aircraft has been redesigned to significantly enhance the passenger experience for long-range travellers, and its MYA economy seat has been equipped with a 13.3in IFE display. Aviointeriors’ HERIC (Herringbone In Cruise) configuration will also be on display, a design which enables passengers to comfortably stretch their legs sideways after take-off, as well as giving them easy access to the features of the seatback panel in front.

Another highlight will be Jamco’s stand (6A110), where the company will present its iF DESIGN Award-winning ‘Quest for Elegance’ staggered business-class seat, which has been designed to meet demand for a spacious seat for high-density cabins without compromising comfort. A key feature is the patented angled tilt IFE monitor.

A new generation of materials
Sustainability, light weight and acoustics will be the focus at MGR Foamtex’s stand (7B41). This manufacturer of advanced passenger upholstery systems will demonstrate its MGRSoftWall NextGen, which delivers all the comfort and soft-touch benefits of its previous seat shell liner, but at just 50% of the weight. Visitors to AIX will also have the chance to experience the pre-launch of MGRSoftWall Acoustic, version that combines soft touch with further acoustic benefit.

Les Simpson, MGR Foamtex’s CEO, said of the launches: “Sustainability is critical to all of us. These new products are particularly exciting as they deliver real and proven benefits that are available now.”

The environment will also be in the spotlight for Muirhead (6E95), a supplier of low-carbon aviation leather, which will showcase three high-performance products. CareGuard is an easy-to-clean natural product that protects aircraft seat covers from soiling and staining. With a protective seal that prevents dye transfer and dirt build-up, CareGuard can reduce maintenance requirements, speed up turnaround times, and extend the leather’s service life.

Muirhead LightCore is a reduced weight, full-substance innovation that the company says is 33% lighter than standard leather, without compromising technical performance, thickness, durability or comfort. The third product, ActiveHygiene, helps deliver hygiene for aviation interiors.

Also at AIX will be one of the industry’s most established names, Peronne Performance Leathers & Textiles (5D46), which was founded in 1893. The company and will display its latest range of performance leathers and textiles, and a team will be on-hand to explain how their range of products can support airlines looking into emissions, upcycling, refurbishment, total cost of ownership, life cycle analysis, comfort, style, maintenance, delivery, corrosion, certification, customisation, and value.

Onboard technology in the spotlight
Inflight connectivity and entertainment (IFEC) technology continues to be one of the main driving forces behind improving onboard experience, and the IFEC Zone – in halls B2-B4 – will be an invaluable experience for airlines looking to meet new suppliers and identify the most innovative solutions.

Among the 50-plus IFEC Zone exhibitors will be Apios (4E60). The company will showcase its Reflect digital experience platform, which has a unique capability that enables passengers to cast their own DRM-compliant content to its proprietary ultra-thin, lightweight, seatback-integrated display. The company believes this feature will unleash the power of the internet on-board and empower passengers to use their devices. Focussing on a seamless, hyper-personalised passenger experience, Reflect is the first of three interconnected, digital eco systems in development by Apios.

Across the hall, AerQ (4C20) will explain how its solutions can empower airlines to become playmakers in their own digital cabin experiences. Its digital platform, Aerena, offers a fast and flexible solution for integrating content, apps and UI changes onboard. The company says that, through just one login, airlines can gain complete control of their digital experience and optimise operational efficiency. As Aerena facilitates greater passenger engagement, leading to insights into their inflight behaviours, airlines are provided with a new set of capabilities to deliver up-to-the-moment information, contextual branding and advertising, opening up new business opportunities to create revenue, savings and growth.

Spafax (2D90), a global agency specialising in IFE content curation and acquisition, will showcase Spafax One, its new end-to-end digital entertainment ecosystem. The system is designed to help airlines simplify and streamline the complex process of content curation and delivery, while enhancing the passenger experience. Features include data- and expert-driven recommendations, zero-touch delivery, digital products, and flexible commercial models, with options for new media inventory for partners and advertisers.

Meanwhile ThinKom (4E41) will present a new extension of its IFC product line with the ThinAir Plus option – a hybrid of two separate antenna systems in a single installation, combining the ThinKom VICTS phased array with a small LEO-only electronically steered antenna (ESA) panel under the same radome.

The combination keeps all the recognised performance and reliability advantages of ThinKom’s proven VICTS technology, while adding the second, LEO-only link for additional low-latency connection options. “As an antenna company, we’re trying to provide a solution that is as agnostic as possible, to deliver connectivity from every orbit to every seat flying,” explains Bill Milroy, ThinKom’s CTO. “With the ThinAir Plus architecture we’re able to add next-generation benefits on top of our existing, high-performance antenna.”

Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) will open its doors in six weeks’ time. Over the last year we have heard several airlines, including Emirates and Delta, announce multi-billion dollar plans to improve the onboard experience. AIX provides a unique platform for cabin interiors buyers to identify and source innovations that will redefine and shape the future of passenger experience. With so many launches and new services being unveiled this year, we can’t wait to open the doors and facilitate thousands of meetings that will enable airlines to truly transform their offerings.