Event Overview
The APEX/IFSA Global EXPO 2024, held from October 28-30 at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center in California, brought together nearly 3,000 airline industry professionals for North America’s largest gathering of air transport executives. This premier event featured an integrated, all-in-one show floor showcasing key elements of the passenger experience, co-located with Future Travel Experience (FTE) Global 2024 to provide a comprehensive view of aviation innovation.
Key Highlights
Major Announcements and Innovations
Accessibility Enhancements
Delta Air Lines unveiled a groundbreaking inflight moving map system designed to enhance accessibility for passengers with disabilities. Developed in collaboration with FlightPath3D and with input from Delta’s Advisory Board on Disability, the system features:
- Clearer visuals and improved navigation options
- Enhanced usability for passengers with visual impairments
- Intuitive interface design for easier interaction
- Deployment across 165,000 seatback screens throughout Delta’s fleet
This innovation demonstrates the industry’s growing commitment to inclusive design and accessible travel experiences.
Entertainment and Connectivity Partnerships
Several significant partnerships were announced during the expo:
- Korean Air and Spafax: Renewed their inflight entertainment partnership, introducing Spafax One for tracking onboard content and media delivery, and Spafax IQ for analyzing passenger preferences
- Plus Ultra and AirFi: Plus Ultra became the first European long-haul carrier to adopt AirFi’s LEO connectivity solution, which adds zero drag to the airframe, enabling a connected fleet while maintaining greener operations
- Thai Airways and Neo Space Group (NSG): NSG was selected to provide in-flight connectivity for Thai Airways’ fleet, enhancing the airline’s digital passenger experience
Industry Panels and Discussions
Loyalty and Ancillary Revenue
The panel “Loyalty and Latitude: Maximising In-Flight Ancillary Revenue Through Personalised Experiences” featured speakers from:
- United Airlines
- Thai Airways
- El Al
- The Points Guy
Key insights included:
- Loyalty programs now function as powerful data repositories
- Personalization is critical for modern airline revenue strategies
- Flight attendants need enhanced training to deliver personalized interactions
- Seamless travel experiences drive customer loyalty and spending
Supply Chain Resilience
The “Overcoming Supply Chain Challenges for Onboard Product Innovation” panel with representatives from Lufthansa Group and Porsche Consulting addressed:
- Strategies to navigate supply chain complexities
- Methods for diversifying vendors to mitigate risks
- Importance of tracking suppliers’ financial health
- Prioritizing workforce capacity in strategic planning
- Fostering collaboration among stakeholders
Culinary Experiences
APEX/IFSA Global EXPO featured cookery demonstrations by renowned chefs:
- Chef Sam Choy (the ‘Godfather of Poke’): Presented a contemporary rendition of Hawaiian poke in an inari bowl
- Chef Gary Klinefelter: Showcased a chilled shrimp confit with tomato nage using locally sourced ingredients
- Chef Jamie McAfee: Offered a tender maple duck breast with barbecue sauce
These demonstrations sparked discussions about cooking processes, sustainable sourcing, and evolving passenger taste preferences.
Participating Airlines
The expo attracted representatives from major global carriers, including:
- ANA
- AeroMexico
- Air Canada
- Air China
- Delta Air Lines
- Korean Air
- Thai Airways
- United Airlines
- El Al
- Plus Ultra
Video Highlights
Interview Series
The APEX Global EXPO 2024 Video Interview Series featured conversations with industry leaders, including Anton Vidgen, Riyadh Air’s Vice President of Guest Experience. This official interview, available on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRpkz7Sizeg, showcases Vidgen sharing:
- Insights on Riyadh Air’s guest experience goals ahead of its 2025 launch
- Highlights from his IFE panel presentation
- Exclusive details about the airline’s unique passenger experience offerings
This interview, along with others in the series, offers valuable perspectives on the future of airline passenger experience from those shaping it directly.
Welcome and Introduction
The expo’s official opening featured Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson and APEX/International Flight Services Association CEO Dr. Joe Leader welcoming attendees and setting the tone for the event’s focus on collaboration and innovation in advancing the passenger experience. This official welcome video can be viewed on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/apex.aero/videos/apex-global-expo-2024-welcome-intro/3078928385582627/
Industry Insights for Influencers
Emerging Trends
APEX EXPO 2024 revealed several key trends that industry influencers should monitor:
- AI-Driven Personalization: Artificial intelligence is transforming how airlines understand and respond to passenger preferences
- Accessibility Focus: Growing emphasis on making air travel accessible to passengers of all abilities
- Ancillary Revenue Optimization: New strategies for generating additional revenue through personalized offerings
- Supply Chain Resilience: Innovative approaches to overcoming logistics challenges in onboard product development
- Connectivity Evolution: Next-generation solutions for keeping passengers connected throughout their journey
Strategic Opportunities
For industry influencers, APEX EXPO 2024 presented valuable opportunities to:
- Analyze Cross-Industry Convergence: Identify how technologies from other sectors are being adapted for aviation
- Highlight Success Stories: Document case studies of airlines successfully implementing passenger experience innovations
- Facilitate Knowledge Transfer: Connect stakeholders across different segments of the passenger experience ecosystem
- Advocate for Inclusive Design: Promote accessibility as a core consideration in all passenger experience initiatives
- Forecast Future Developments: Provide informed predictions about the next wave of passenger experience innovations
Conclusion
APEX EXPO 2024 reinforced its position as the premier event for the airline passenger experience industry, bringing together stakeholders from across the aviation ecosystem to share insights, forge partnerships, and showcase innovations. The event highlighted the industry’s commitment to enhancing the passenger journey through technological advancement, personalized experiences, and strategic collaborations.
For industry influencers, the expo provided a comprehensive view of current trends and future directions in passenger experience, offering essential insights for strategic planning, content creation, and thought leadership. As airlines continue to differentiate themselves through superior passenger experiences, the knowledge and connections gained at APEX EXPO 2024 will prove invaluable for those seeking to lead rather than follow in this dynamic sector.
This blog post is based on comprehensive research of APEX EXPO 2024, including official event information and video highlights from the APEX Association.
