The finalists vying for prizes in the 2022 APEX/IFSA Awards have been announced. The awards, organised by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) and the International Flight Services Association (IFSA), recognise innovative achievements successfully implemented in the past year.
The awards recognise innovations in the following categories:
APEX Best Inflight Connectivity Innovation
This category honours airlines and/or their vendor partners that have created a new inflight innovation including interactive connectivity onboard, unique wi-fi features/offerings, etc.
The 2023 finalists are:
AirFi: LEO Connectivity Solution
Astronics CSC: Cabin AXe Wireless Access Point
Stellar Blu: Sidewinder Multi-modem Terminal
APEX Best Inflight Entertainment Innovation
This award goes to airlines and/or their vendor partners that have created a new inflight innovation that is elevating the passenger experience via GUI design, features/applications, streaming, hardware, seat integration, etc.
The 2023 finalists are:
Above: One-Stop-Shop Digital Platform
AerQ: Aerena Accelerated App Integration
Burrana: RISE Power
APEX Best Marketing Innovation
Rewarding the best new marketing campaigns or ideas.
The 2023 finalists are:
Thales Avionics and Diehl Aerospace: ICEE
Touch, Warner Bros, LATAM: IFE Cross-Brand
Virgin Atlantic: See the World Differently
Virgin Atlantic’s ‘See the world differently’ campaign is currently getting airtime in the UK
APEX/IFSA Best Cabin Innovation
This category recognises outstanding achievements in creating a thoughtful new cabin environment, including galleys, lavatories, and ways to increase efficiency for crew.
The 2023 finalists are:
Avianca: Premium Seats, narrowbody fleet
Finnair: Elevated long-haul experience
IdeaNova Technologies: Intouch Nearcast
AirLounge is a key component of Finnair’s revitalised long-haul experience
APEX/IFSA Best Product or Service
Honours innovations in passenger comfort, including seats, design, lighting, temperature control, air quality and more. Sustainable entries will be given additional credit.
The 2023 finalists are:
HRS: Crew & Passenger Solutions
Thales Avionics: Pulse Power (which won a 2022 Crystal Cabin Award)
Virgin Atlantic: The Booth
Upper Class customers on Virgin Atlantic’s A350 leisure routes can enjoy the Booth social space
IFSA Best Inflight Food or Beverage
In recognition of a food or beverage product that appeals to passengers’ tastes and enhances the onboard experience. The product can be for any class, whether complimentary or buy on board.
The 2023 finalists are:
Air France: Sustainable onboard experience
Thales Avionics: JetBlue Meal + customisable ordering
United Airlines: Impossible Meatball Bowl
United Airlines’ Impossible Meatball Bowl is available to first-class customers on all domestic flights of more than 800 miles in the continental US
IFSA Best Onboard Amenity
Recognises amenity kits that provide an enhanced onboard passenger experience.
The 2023 finalists are:
Air Astana JSC: Business-class amenity kits
Delta Air Lines: Someone Somewhere amenity kit partnership
Fiji Airways: Our Ocean, Our Life Kids activity pack
John Horsfall & Sons: Finnair business-class mattress pad
The new Delta One kits contain sustainable, wellness-focused products including a Someone Somewhere eye mask, Grown Alchemist natural lip balm and hand lotion, and a Humble Co. bamboo toothbrush. Both Grown Alchemist products onboard have transitioned to aluminium packaging.
APEX Best Airport Innovation
This category is in recognition of achievements in creating new airport innovations, ideas or offerings. The finalists for have not yet bee revealed.
The winners of the 2023 APEX/IFSA Awards, as well as other awards programmes including the Passenger Choice Awards, Four and Five Star Official Airline Ratings and more will be announced at the APEX/IFSA Awards Ceremony on Wednesday 26 October at the 2022 APEX/IFSA Expo in Long Beach.
