APEX (the Airline Passenger Experience Association) has opened the nominations process for the 2026 APEX Awards, which recognise innovative and impactful contributions to the inflight services industry. Key prizes include the Innovation Award for Best Inflight Connectivity, the Innovation Award for Best Inflight Entertainment, and the Innovation Award for Best Cabin. The deadline for nominations is 30th June.
APEX stresses that nominations should not be just a general improvement or a modification to an existing programme – they must be innovative and new. The nominated initiatives should have been implemented between July 2024 and June 2025. The awards are open to APEX member organisations (airlines, vendors or lessors). Criteria for submissions can be found here.
The APEX Innovation Award for Best Inflight Connectivity recognises inflight innovations, including interactive connectivity onboard, unique wi-fi features/offerings, etc. Last year’s winner was JSX, for ‘JSX + Starlink Game-Changing Inflight Internet’.
The APEX Innovation Award for Best Inflight Entertainment recognises outstanding audio or video collections, new videos or, perhaps more significantly, new inflight innovations that elevate the passenger experience via GUI design, features/applications, streaming, hardware, seat integration, etc. Last year’s winner was Lufthansa, with ‘Taking to the skies with mixed reality: Lufthansa’s & Meta’s pioneering inflight initiative’.
The winners will be announced during the APEX Awards ceremony on the final day of APEX Global Expo 2025 (11 September) in Long Beach, California.
A panel of judges comprised of current APEX members will review and score all submissions to determine the awards finalists. The finalists will then move on to a second round of judging, either via teleconference or in-person at the Expo, where they will meet a panel of judges comprising media and /association members.
The awards will also include categories from the International Flight Services Association (an APEX partner). The Innovation Award for Best Cabin Is a joint APEX/IFSA Award, while Best Inflight Food or Beverage, and Best Onboard Amenity are IFSA Awards. The awards are open to IFSA members, which can be airlines, rail operators, caterers or suppliers.
The APEX/IFSA Innovation Award for Best Cabin recognises the creation of thoughtful new cabin environments, including galleys, lavatories, and new ways to increase efficiency for cabin crew. Last year’s winner was Qatar Airways, for Qsuite Next Gen.
Do you know a product, service or program that deserves recognition? Submit a nomination!
