Big names from the onboard services industry are preparing to assemble at IFSA Global Expo. From 9 to 11 September the show floor at Long Beach Convention Center (LBCC) in California will feature a diverse lineup of exhibitors, showcasing everything from food and beverage options, to inflight amenities, cutlery, packaging, and more.
The event, organised by the International Flight Services Association (IFSA), is due to be attended by thousands of industry professionals, including key airline decision-makers. Indeed IFSA expects that this year’s event will attract record visitor numbers, so the exhibits and discussions at Long Beach could shape the future of the onboard services industry.
There are a few key entries for your event diary below, including practical info, thought leadership sessions, social events and more.
But first, let’s take a look at just a few the many highlights in store for IFSA Global Expo visitors.
Award-nominated meal carts
DKA Aerospace will be showing its XT Series Meal Carts, designed to enhance crew efficiency. The XT Series combines lightweight engineering with durability, offering smooth manoeuvrability, secure braking, and ergonomic handling. Each unit is customisable to meet a wide range of airline service needs, while delivering measurable operational savings and a reduced environmental footprint.
The first sustainable coffee plug
Pick On Us (Booth 725) will highlight its latest sustainable innovations designed for the airline industry. Two standout products will showcase how small changes can make a big impact in inflight service: a wooden coffee lid plug, and an eco-friendly wooden heart stirrer created in collaboration with Southwest Airlines.
The wooden coffee lid plug is already gaining traction nationwide as coffee shops move away from plastic versions. Crafted from renewable wood, it offers a compostable, functional, and brand-forward alternative for hot beverage service. This simple switch helps airlines reduce single-use plastic and adds a detail that passengers may remember.
Southwest Airlines’ iconic heart stirrer has also been reimagined in FSC-certified wood instead of plastic. The new design delivers the same brand identity to passengers – just without plastic. It’s a symbol of how sustainability and branding can work hand in hand to enhance guest experience while protecting the planet.
Beyond these spotlighted products, Pick On Us will showcase a full range of in-flight serviceware made from renewable bamboo and wood, including utensils and amenity boxes.
Organic snack bars
Early flights. Tight connections. By the time passengers reach their seats, many haven’t eaten for hours. That’s when inflight catering moves from convenience to necessity.
Kate’s Real Food will be showing its range of snack bars that are sweetened with organic honey and made without artificial additives. Each bar is USDA Organic and Certified Gluten-Free, crafted from recognisable ingredients such as oats, nut butters, and dark chocolate. Kate’s is the organic snack of choice on Delta Air Lines flights.
This year’s spotlight is the Peanut Butter Cup Protein Bar: a snack that delivers on both sides of the aisle. Passengers get the indulgent taste of peanut butter and chocolate, plus 15g of plant-based protein for sustained fullness without the sugar crash. For airlines, the travel-ready format makes it easy to stock and simple to serve.
Visit Booth #573 to sample the newest offerings.
Try some unique shortbread
Molly Bz cookies is launching an inflight offering for airlines, featuring simple ingredients and bold flavours. Be among the first to try Bobadoodles, an unusual range of shortbread cookies infused with boba (tapioca) gels in 5 flavours! These 1.5oz treats have a one-year shelf life, and ‘dad jokes’ on the back of the packaging might bring a smile to passenger’s faces. Visit booth 571 to find out more about this fun new brand.
A carbon footprint monitor for sustainable snacks
In response to airlines facing growing pressure to meet environmental ESG targets, Snackboxtogo, an inflight snack product company, has developed the Snackboxtogo Carbon Footprint Monitor. This tool enables the company’s airline partners to make informed decisions about their onboard offerings, with the climate impact of each product clearly visualised and actionable.
The Carbon Footprint Monitor is built on four core pillars:
- Insight: Complete transparency of the carbon footprint of each product, from cradle to delivery. These insights are based on externally verified lifecycle data, allowing customers to understand the environmental cost of their inflight catering down to the gram of CO₂.
- Off-setting: Through certified carbon offset programmes, clients have the option to neutralise the emissions of their selected products. Each offset is traceable to a verified location, offering full transparency. Off-setting is available on both full product level and SKU level.
- Reduction: Snackboxtogo works with supply chain partners to optimise logistics, reduce warehouse waste, and improve delivery efficiency.
- Optimisation: Sustainability starts at the ingredient level. Where possible, the company offers low-impact substitutions, such as plant-based cheese instead of dairy, or meat alternatives that still satisfy taste expectations. The company also seeks out greener packaging options, to reduce material usage and increase recyclability.
Get comfortable with Procurall
Visit the Procurall Solutions booth (937) to see an interesting range of soft products. The company recently partnered with Air Astana to launch a new premium bedding collection for long-haul flights that blends luxury, sustainability, and Kazakh heritage. The range includes duvets, pillowcases and headrest covers for business class, along with coordinated products for the Sleeper Economy class.
Developed in collaboration with Air Astana’s inflight team, the collection is designed to balance comfort, lightweight construction, and eco-conscious materials in alignment with the airline’s ESG commitments. The fabrics combine recycled and natural fibres, including RPET sourced from post-consumer waste, while the flat-pack packaging reduces shipment volume and environmental footprint. Durable construction extends the product lifecycle.
The design incorporates a modern interpretation of the traditional Kazakh ‘gauhar’ motif, creating a cohesive and culturally resonant aesthetic across the collection.
And also:
Procurall Solutions will also be giving a live demonstration at booth 937 to showcase how Mainline Aviation’s in-flight culinary concepts integrate with Procurall’s platform. Visitors can have a first-hand look at how the combined solution can streamline the entire process of a cabin retrofit.
A new security seal
ITW Envopak will be introducing its latest security seal, the Mini Uno, which is a smaller version of the Uno Seal currently in daily use on >4,500 planes. Made from 100% recycled material, the Mini Uno offers a 41% reduction in plastic use and a 66% increase in the number of seals per pallet, offering both shipping & storage cost savings. Check it out at booth #458.
Enjoy a taste of California life
DFMi, a sales and marketing company serving the global travel and transportation industry, has announced its partnership with acclaimed culinary consultant Chef Leyla for IFSA Expo 2025. Together, they will debut an immersive culinary experience designed to showcase the next wave of inflight entrée innovation.
This year’s DFMi pavilion will feature a ‘California Dreamin’ theme, inspired by the state’s vibrant culture and diverse culinary influences – from the retro charm of Palm Springs to the breezy freedom of coastal highways.
Chef Leyla will bring this vision to life with a West Coast Food Bar featuring innovative dishes and drinks that highlight DFMi’s premium supplier products.
Throughout the show, Chef Leyla will create all-day culinary engagement through in-trend dishes crafted with fresh, seasonal ingredients, interactive presentations, and signature snacks and drinks served in the pavilion’s tiki bar.
“I’m thrilled to collaborate with DFMi at IFSA Expo and highlight the incredible products their suppliers bring to the market,” said Chef Leyla. “This is an opportunity to merge creativity, trend-forward flavours, and sustainability into a truly memorable experience for attendees.”
The DFMi pavilion will also feature engaging thematic spaces, including a mid-century modern lounge, a nostalgic boardwalk game area, and a relaxing fire pit-inspired setting – providing the perfect backdrop for culinary exploration and networking.
Three-in-one comfort
Neg-Dayou, in conjunction with New East Grace, will be showing something interesting: the ‘3in1 Comfy’ inflight comfort solution. This patented 3-in-1 inflight item can be transformed into either a blanket (for warmth), a neck pillow (for neck relief), or a lumbar support (for back pain), reducing the need to carry all these items on board.
According to Neg-Dayou, the unit costs same or less than the price of a traditional blanket plus laundry. The 3in1 Comfy is fully customisable with logos for brand promotion.
The 3in1 Comfy is made from recycled RPET fibres, is eco-packaged with paper tape to minimise landfilling, and is reusable post-flight as a memorable gift. The unit is ready for mass production, with a Chinese patent granted and a US patent pending.
Try Bottega’s expanded range of non-alcoholic drinks
Bottega has developed a range of soft drinks designed for those who do not consume alcohol, whether for health reasons, religion or personal choice.
In 2020, Bottega 0 (Zero) was launched, a must-based drink available in white e rosé version. The aim was to produce a no-alcohol drink made starting from grape must, rather than a de-alcoholised wine. The main challenge with this kind of product is to maintain the freshness and aromaticity of the grapes of origin without having alcohol content.
Bottega says that 0 (Zero) is a great non-alcoholic alternative to wine and offers the same consumption rituality of the sparkling wines. The company is also trying to broaden the occasions when people might like to consume such a product – at breakfast or brunch for example.
In April this year, Limoncino 0.0 was launched as a novelty in the no/low alcohol category. Backed by 30 years of experience in the production of lemon liqueurs, Bottega has created a non-alcoholic version of its famous Limoncino, the result of long experimentation process. During the harvest, the Femminello Siracusano and Verdello varieties are carefully selected, choosing the fruit at the right stage of ripeness.
Processing allows the entire organoleptic charge to be extracted from peel, pulp and juice, thanks to techniques that preserve the natural aromas right through to the finished product. Limoncino 0.0 is excellent served neat at the end of a meal, and is also ideal for mocktails, fruit salads, lemon sorbets and as an ingredient in cheesecakes. It is also available in a Halal-certified version.
Tray a classic cocktail
Mission Craft Cocktails crafts its ready-to-pour cocktail using only real ingredients, fresh juices, and bar-strength recipes. With no artificial flavours, these all-natural cocktails can be poured over ice during flight to recreate your favourite drink at your local bar. The drinks have also won Platinum and Double Gold awards three years in a row at the San Francisco Wine & Spirits Competition.
The range of cocktails don’t just taste good, they do good. Mission Craft Cocktails has funded 600,414 meals for families in need through its ongoing commitment to donate 5% of all sales proceeds to the Feeding America charity. Every bottle purchased helps fight food insecurity – one bottle sold funds one meal.
Light weight cutlery
As of 3rd July 2021, the European Union has banned the use of single-use plastic items for which affordable alternatives exist – including plates and cutlery. Airlines and caterers must comply with this regulation, regardless of the origination of the flight. If a flight lands in the EU, the operator cannot off-load single-use plastics, or use them on the return flight.
Sola believes a solution lies in recyclable and reusable steel cutlery. Steel is the most recycled material on the planet, incurring 50% less emissions than manufacturing from virgin ore. Steel is 100% recyclable, reusable, durable, and safe and easy to maintain.
Sola has engineered what it claims is the world’s lightest and most durable range of stainless-steel cutlery specifically designed to address efforts to replace plastic single-use cutlery.
Is reusable, rotable and 100% recyclable high-grade stainless steel as cost effective as the plastic alternative? Sola believes so. It says its designs are at least 60% lighter than regular stainless steel airline cutlery.
Sola has developed a range of four cutlery designs that can be produced quickly in mass volumes – find out more at stand 761.
A buzz of luxury
Buzz will be showing a wide range of its luxury amenities. You might be able to admire one of the company’s newest designs: an upgraded tableware collection created for Korean Air in collaboration with Italian luxury brand, Armani/Casa.
At the heart of the collaboration is the Nidi range (Nidi is Italian for ‘nests’), a set of tableware designed by Armani/Casa for Korean Air’s Prestige Class to balance timeless simplicity with a modern edge.
The collection includes rectangular plates and tapered round bowls, each with a “bamboo” detail – a subtle linear design element that has often featured in Armani/Casa’s work. Bamboo is a symbol of strength, resilience and longevity because it can survive in the harshest conditions, standing tall and remaining green year-round.
The compact forms of the Nidi range are also designed to optimise onboard dining spaces while ensuring efficient storage.
Cuisine Solutions goes greener
This year has seen Cuisine Solutions, a specialist in sous vide options, make great strides in the areas of social responsibility and responsible purchasing to improve its Ecovadis score for sustainability and ESG. This work is part of the company’s efforts to generate a positive global impact, by integrating best CSR practices at all levels. Cuisine Solutions has organised various training courses to enhance the skills of its employees, and proactive measures have been put in place to improve their well-being. Find out more at stand 360.
Calling cheese lovers
En Route will be launching its cheese programme out of North America for the first time. This programme delivers artisan cheeses from global suppliers, expertly sourced, cut and packed to guarantee freshness and consistency. The programme will be available to airlines and airline caterers within North America, and marks an exciting time for En Route, coming off the back of the growth of its US team, which has grown by 200% in 2025 alone.
Along with a selection of premium cheeses from around the globe, En Route will also be bringing its passenger solutions, packaging innovation and supply chain expertise to IFSA Global Expo.
If you would like to talk about (and sample) artisan cheese, bakery, hot handhelds, frozen meals, ice cream, desserts, award-winning juices and more with the team, stop by booth 724-730.
The bear essentials
Kaelis will be showing a range of its amenity kit options. Hopefully they will bring an example of one of their latest creative partnerships: a charming Kids Kit specially designed for EVA Air to elevate the in-flight experience for travellers under 12 years old. At the heart of this exclusive collection is EVA Air’s lovable mascot, Berry the Bear, who adds a little warmth and wonder to the journey.
Curated with both fun and educational value in mind, the EVA Air Kids Kit includes a cheerful and durable bright green mini backpack with adjustable straps in orange hues, decorated with playful travel-themed doodles. The backpack can hold other goodies, including a ‘Meet Berry’ activity book filled with age-appropriate puzzles, colouring pages, and fun facts – all centred around Berry the Bear. The bear theme continues with the Berry Memory Card Game, a classic matching game featuring illustrations of Berry the Bear in various outfits and expressions, and a natural wood colouring pencil set packaged in a compact, eco-friendly tube featuring Berry’s artwork.
A new culinary partnership: Marfo & FMA
Marfo & FMA, two providers of food concepts in the airline, railway and hospitality industries, have entered into a partnership that they say will revolutionise the way they serve their customers.
The partnership will combine Marfo’s experience in meal preparation and FMA’s expertise in onboard services, to provide customers with a wider range of food concepts, tailor-made to suit their needs.
The partnership will also focus on sustainability, with both companies committing to reducing their environmental impact by using locally sourced ingredients, reducing food waste, and implementing eco-friendly packaging.
Marfo is based in Europe and FMA in North America, so travellers can enjoy freshly prepared meals on two continents.
New ownership at Paxia
Paxia, a global provider of integrated onboard services and catering management software solutions serving the commercial aerospace industry, has been acquired by Liberty Hall Capital Partners, a private equity firm focused on the global aerospace and defence industry. Paxia has been acquired from Teleo Capital, which is retaining a minority interest in the company.
Founded in 2000, Paxia provides a SaaS-based, fully integrated end-to-end onboard services and catering management platform designed to simplify and optimise the entire catering operation, connecting suppliers, caterers, kitchens and airline operations through a “single source of truth”.
Paxia serves several leading airlines, including Alaska Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, flydubai and Scandinavian Airlines. Find out more at stand 578.
Westrock Coffee is expanding
Westrock Coffee, a North American manufacturer of private label coffee and tea, has expanded its US operations with a new manufacturing facility in Conway, Arkansas. The facility is designed to help meet rising demand from existing and new global customers, including some of the largest retail and coffee brands in North America.
Located on William J. Clark Drive in Conway, the 525,000-square-foot ‘Clark’ facility will focus on manufacturing single-serve coffee products and will potentially expand into additional product formats in the future. Of the total space, 130,000 square feet will be dedicated to manufacturing, while the remainder will support fulfilment and distribution.
Westrock says that global demand for single-serve coffee is continuing to rise, with the coffee pods market valued at US$35.3 billion in 2024 and projected to more than double to $71.2 billion by 2034. the market evolves, brands pursuing private label manufacturing are not only expanding in scale, but also diversifying their system partnerships beyond legacy platforms. The Clark facility is designed to meet this accelerating demand, with technology capable of producing millions of single-serve cups daily.
The Clark facility marks a significant step in Westrock Coffee’s growth plan. In 2024 the company opened another large manufacturing facility in Conway dedicated to producing ready-to-drink coffee products. Together with the company’s original production facility in North Little Rock and its headquarters in Little Rock, these two new facilities position Arkansas as a leading hub for coffee and beverage manufacturing in the US.
Find out more and enjoy a cup of joe at stand 479.
And to see more innovations: the APEX/IFSA Awards
The aviation industry continues to soar and APEX and IFSA members continue to rise to the occasion with a number of innovations, partnerships, and programmes. The winners of the 2026 APEX/IFSA Awards, Best In Global Awards, APEX Four Star and Five Star awards and more will be announced at the APEX/IFSA Awards ceremony on Wednesday 10 September. Join your colleagues at this ceremony to network and recognise industry leaders. The evening is sure to inspire and engage! Registration is required to attend.
Key entries for your event diary
Tuesday, 9th September
07:30 – 17:30: Registration open
Be sure to register for the event before arriving.
Once registered, an email containing a QR code will be sent to you to expedite your badge pickup at the IFSA registration desk, located in the lobby area of the LBCC. Please have the code available on your smart device or print the email. A photo ID will be required to pick up your badge.
And then, just a few minutes after arriving, you should be ready to get involved with the many expo attractions:.
09:00-12:00 – CEO Keynote addresses
Head to Room 104 to hear insights from some of the biggest names in aviation (full registration required to attend)
12:00-13:00 – Lunch
Location: Room 104 (full registration required to attend)
13:00-13:30 – IFSA Annual Business Meeting
Location: Breakout room
IFSA’s Annual Business Meeting is an important session that will provide a comprehensive overview of the association’s activities, achievements, and financial performance over the past year. IFSA members can learn about strategic priorities, current initiatives, and future plans that are shaping the direction of IFSA. Recognition will be provided to board leadership, committee members, sponsors, and supporters.
13:30-14:00 – IFSA government affairs update
IFSA remains committed to government affairs, education, and advocacy that support both its member community and the onboard services industry. By representing the diverse interests of its members, IFSA and the Government Affairs & Education Committee (GAEC) continue to be a driving force in shaping the future of the flight services industry.
This session will address key topics being addressed by the GAEC Working Groups, including allergens, traceability, and sustainability. The session will also provide a brief review of the US and EU regulatory landscapes impacting the broader food industry.
Location: Breakout room
14:00-14:50 – IFSA Thought Leadership session:
Advancing Environmental Stewardship: Onboard Operational excellence meets environmental integrity
Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword – it’s becoming standard operating procedure. This session will spotlight how airlines, caterers and suppliers are reimagining onboard service to tackle food waste, cut down on single-use items, and build better recycling systems. From sourcing and packaging to inflight service and disposal, the panel will share real-world solutions and bold initiatives that are already making a measurable impact.
They will also unpack the challenge of navigating global regulations – turning compliance into an opportunity for leadership.
Moderator: Diana Cawley, CEO, Aviation Sustainability Forum
Panellists:
- Tosin Durotoye, innovation strategist, Delta Air lines,
- Matrix De Vries, food and product specialist outstations, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines,
- Chris Kinsella, chief commercial officer, Gategroup North America
14:50-15:20 – Break
15:20-16:10 – IFSA Thought Leadership session:
Inflight & in style
Airlines aren’t just partnering with lifestyle brands; they are becoming lifestyle brands themselves. Today’s travellers aren’t just booking flights – they are curating experiences. To meet rising expectations, airlines are teaming up with lifestyle brands to bring elevated, high-touch moments to the sky.
In this panel discussion, airline leaders will share how strategic partnerships – from celebrity chefs and boutique beverage makers, to designer amenity kits and fashion-forward crew uniforms – transform functional inflight elements into bold brand statements. Learn how these collaborations are crafted, how they reflect brand values, and why they are the newest key to boosting loyalty and turning passengers into lifelong brand evangelists.
Moderator: Manoj Pridhanani, chief design officer, Kaelis
Panellists:
- Jenny Jackson, director of food & beverage programmes, United Airlines
- Tiera Kelley, formerly cabin services & delivery, Riyadh Air
- Svender Singh, general manager, onboard experience, JetBlue
- April Oliphant, senior manager of brand strategy for the onboard experience, Delta Air Lines
16:10-17:00 – IFSA Thought Leadership session:
Jet Set, Meet Tech Set. How AI and smart tech are leading the inflight digital revolution
As fuel prices climb and supply chains wobble, airlines are tapping into smart technologies. This future-forward session dives into how AI, predictive analytics, and next-gen digital platforms are not only streamlining back-end operations, but transforming the passenger journey from seat to snack, front of cabin to back.
Hear from airline innovators on how personalised meal pre-orders, real-time catering logistics, and even inflight entertainment (IFE) are becoming powerful tools for both customer delight and operational efficiency. And behind the curtain? Technology is doing the heavy lifting – forecasting disruptions, managing inventory with surgical precision, and keeping costs in check without compromising service. It’s not just tech for tech’s sake – it’s digital strategy at 35,000 feet.
Panellists:
- Justin Koen, head of inflight, Air New Zealand
- Paul Mills, head of inflight services, Virgin Atlantic
- Eric Simon, senior leadership, Michael Lewis Company
- Todd Traynor-Corey, managing director of guest products, Alaska Airlines
17:00-18:30 – IFSA Welcome Reception
Take some time out relax. You may even be able to enjoy some refreshments from the reception sponsor, Gin and Juice, which makes premium gin-based cocktails. If you’re lucky, the company owners Dr Dre and Snoop Dogg might attend.
Location: Hall A IFSA Innovation Pavilion
Wednesday, 10th September
07:50-08:50 – Airline breakfast
This networking breakfast is for airlines only and offers a great opportunity to network with fellow airline professionals, exchange information, form partnerships, and create opportunities for growth. Conversations will focus around issues, and trends that are affecting the airline industry today.
08:00-17:00 – Registration open
Location: LBCC Lobby
10:00-11:00 – Coffee break
Location: Join IFSA attendees for a coffee break at the back of Hall A
11:00-11:30 – Break
Join IFSA attendees in Booth 626 for a quick recharge. Sponsored by Optimum Solutions Inc.
11:00 – 11:45 – IFSA Chef Demonstration
Chef Seigou Mori, Japanese cuisine head chef, ANA Catering
After serving as a head chef at a high-class restaurant in Tokyo, Chef Mori now serves as ANA’s Japanese cuisine head chef, developing menus for inflight meals. He has a reputation for producing beautiful cuisine making the most of seasonal ingredients.
Location: Hall A
13:00-13:45 – IFSA Chef Demonstration
Turkish Airlines (chef details to be confirmed)
Location: Hall A
Thursday, 11th September
08:15 – Registration desk open
09:00-16:30 Expo open
11:00-11:30- Break
Join IFSA attendees in Booth 860 for a quick recharge. Sponsored by Borenstein Caterers
Location: Hall A, Booth 860
11:00-11:45 – IFSA Chef Demonstration
Chef Rafaele ‘Rafa’ Galuvakadua, Fiji Airways
With a passion for showcasing Fiji’s natural abundance, Rafa brings the flavours, heritage and warmth of the Pacific to life.
13:00-13:45 – IFSA Chef Demonstration
Saudia Airlines (chef details to be confirmed)
Location: Hall A
17:00-17:45 – APEX / IFSA Awards ceremony reception
Location: Room 104 Foyer
17:45-19:15 – APEX / IFSA Awards ceremony
Location: Room 104 foyer – co-sponsored by Gategroup
Get the event app
It is also worth downloading the event app, designed to and streamline your visit. Powered by AI, the app provides smart matchmaking, connecting you with relevant leads and potential business partners based on your interests. It also builds a personalised itinerary, recommending sessions and exhibitors tailored to your preferences.
With live chat, a discussion forum, a full event schedule, file sharing, and reminders for upcoming meetings, this app ensures you stay organised and maximise your event experience.
Download the app by searching “FTE APEX IFSA” in the Google Play Store or App Store (note, you must be registered for the expo to gain access to the app).
