APEX Tech 2026 Highlights Data-Driven IFEC Growth

APEX Tech 2026 reported strong momentum as the inflight entertainment and connectivity community gathered in Los Angeles for two days of strategy-driven discussions and practical workshops. Organisers said attendance rose 18 percent year over year, underscoring growing airline focus on data, artificial intelligence and commercial performance in the connected cabin.

Hosted by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX), the January 27–28 event brought together airline executives, content providers and technology partners to explore real-world IFEC use cases and measurable business outcomes.

A central theme was data integration and AI-powered transformation. Andrés Castañeda Ochoa, chief digital and customer experience officer at Aeroméxico, outlined how the carrier is leveraging enterprise data to redefine the role of IFEC. By unifying operational, customer and onboard datasets, the airline is creating more responsive digital ecosystems that improve reliability, enable personalisation and generate new revenue streams. His session emphasised that integrated data architecture is foundational for airlines seeking scalable innovation.

Delta Air Lines presented a customer-centric technology strategy framed as a profit engine rather than a cost centre. Joseph Eddy, director of cabin and IFEC programmes, detailed how Delta aligns connectivity, content, cabin systems and data platforms into a cohesive ecosystem. The approach, he explained, supports operational consistency while contributing to premium positioning and sustained margin performance.

United Airlines focused on measurable engagement outcomes. Mike Petrella, managing director of strategic partnerships, described how the carrier has scaled seatback IFE and first-party data through its Kinective Media platform to drive more relevant passenger interactions. The strategy links satisfaction metrics such as Net Promoter Score with revenue indicators including RASM growth, positioning IFEC as a commercial lever.

Content strategy also featured prominently. Esdra Lamy of Warner Bros. Discovery discussed how rights management, windowing strategies and curated licensing remain essential in differentiating premium onboard entertainment from open streaming models. The session highlighted the importance of compliant, curated ecosystems that balance engagement with commercial viability.

Air India closed the event with insights into its broader transformation. Anjali Birla, vice president of CX strategy and intelligence, described how aligning digital platforms, organisational culture and unified customer data supports scalable change across fleets and regions.

APEX leadership said the 2026 edition reinforced the event’s role as a catalyst for actionable collaboration, with airlines increasingly viewing data-driven IFEC strategies as central to both passenger experience and financial performance.

Related News: https://airguide.info/category/magazineonline/airlines/airline-in-flight-services/

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, aircraftinteriorsinternational.com