The organisers of the Passenger Experience Conference (PEC), part of the Aircraft Interiors Expo event in Hamburg, have released the first details of this year’s programme. The one-day event will return to Hamburg Messe on Monday, 27th May, with key topics being how to improve onboard environments, services, and the wider passenger experience.
The conference will bring together experts from airlines, airframers, OEMs, the global supply chain and design organisations, to discuss the conference’s overarching theme of ‘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 discussing how to solve the frustrations of travel today and how to address the needs of the new cohorts of travellers who will be flying into the next decade. Delegates can join thought-provoking discussions and panels, uncover insights regarding future directions for passenger experiences, and help evolve the vision for the cabin of the future.
The 2024 edition of the conference will feature three streams: the changes to the passenger experience already in progress; how air travel experience should fit within collaborative and connected ecosystems; and how to maximise the efficiency of delivering a future seamless passenger experience.
Future Now
The first stream, titled ‘Future Now’, will create an open discussion for delegates to review many initiatives already underway that look likely to gain traction. The sessions will cover current and changing industry standards, the influential role that AI and other tools will have over the next 10 years, and approaches to manufacturing and the supply chain that offer the real possibility of achieving systemic change. Discussions will serve perspectives from the end-to-end supply chain, aimed at opening the door to improved travel experiences and new ways of doing business.
A highlight of the Future Now sessions will be aviation accessibility experts – namely Christopher Wood from Flying Disabled, and Roberto Castiglioni from Reduced Mobility Rights – who will join a representative from Boeing to discuss initiatives that can improve the inflight experience for travellers with disabilities.
The session will also see industry experts from companies including Gen Phoenix, Doy Design, and Sabeti Wain Aerospace explore how airlines and seat manufacturers can rethink traditional processes to improve sustainability.
Other confirmed speakers for the Future Now session include Michael Raasch, CEO of Omnevo; Kolbrun Ýr Jónsdóttir, Icelandair’s product manager for inflight service & experience; and Kevin Clark, CEO of Bluebox Aviation, who will be joining a conversation about the potential for artificial intelligence to revolutionise inflight experiences.
Future Connected
The second stream, titled ‘Future Connected’, is intended to prompt the industry to re-evaluate the role of air travel within an integrated and connected transport ecosystem; and to consider how it meets the needs of passengers who already expect to manage their lives – and their travel – via their mobile devices. This stream will look at 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.
Joining the programme, Maruan El Mahgiub, vice president at Mormedi, will present the challenges and opportunities of data sharing in aviation. Other confirmed companies set to join discussions at this session include Expliseat, Lilium and Tangerine.
Future Efficient
The final stream, titled ‘Future Efficient’, will provide fresh perspectives on the initiatives that can create step-changes in the aviation industry. Delegates can find out how airlines and supply chain partners can boost profits, streamline processes and reduce costly wastage, all while delivering value and quality of experience to passengers.
Leading discussions on lowering the resource footprint of the passenger experience sector, Matt Crane, founder of the Aviation Sustainability Forum, and experts from the Green Cabin Alliance will take the stage.
The wider picture
PEC will provide all attendees with opportunities to collaborate with the passenger experience industry, including senior airline decision-makers, designers, engineers, specifiers, manufacturers and more, across the seminars and networking breaks. Taking place on 27th May, the day before the start of Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) and World Travel Catering and Onboard Services (WTCE), the conference marks the beginning of a week dedicated to showcasing advances in the aircraft interiors and passenger experience community.
Polly Magraw, event director of Aircraft Interiors Expo and WTCE commented: “The industry is at the crucial precipice of revolutionising the passenger experience to shift expectations, integrate advanced IFEC technology, and meet sustainability targets. PEC will once again stand as the beacon that attracts industry thought leaders and decision makers to shape the future of passenger experiences ahead of AIX and WTCE. This year’s approach will encourage delegates to contribute to the engaging discussions to transform today’s challenges into tomorrow’s business opportunities.”
For more information and to register your interest to attend the Passenger Experience Conference, visit: www.passengerexperienceconference.com/reg
You can also register to attend Aircraft Interiors Expo at no extra cost via https://www.aircraftinteriorsexpo.com/reg
