RX, the organiser of Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX), has shared full details of the event ahead of its landmark 25th edition. As befits an event that marks a quarter-century at the heart of aircraft cabin innovation, RX says the 2026 event will be the most ambitious in the show’s history, with new features and experiences.
The expo, taking place from 14-16 April 2026 at Hamburg Messe in Germany, will include an evening event on 13th April to celebrate the 25th edition.
Many landmark developments in the aircraft cabin have been seen at AIX since its launch in 2000, from the advent of lie-flat seating, to personal inflight entertainment (IFE) displays and brand-driven interior design, to today’s highly engineered environments shaped by sustainability targets, advanced materials, seamless inflight connectivity and a pursuit of passenger wellbeing.
The 2026 show will offer exhibitors and attendees a opportunity to reflect on how dramatically the cabin has evolved over the past quarter century, while keeping the focus firmly on key developments, from efficiency to accessibility.
Exhibitors old and new at the 2026 expo
Around 500 companies are due to exhibit at AIX 2026, with many familiar names at the event, as well as 74 first-time exhibitors. 14 of the exhibitors will be in the new BizJet Zone with a focus on business jet interiors, and 77 will be showing their latest technologies in the IFEC Zone, which will benefit inflight entertainment and connectivity.
The 25th edition will also welcome some true show veterans. 12 companies have exhibited at AIX for over 20 years, including B/E Aerospace (RTX), Belgraver B.V, Botany Weaving Mill, Lantal Textiles, Percival Aviation, Rohi Stoffe, Tex Tech Industries, Celso, Enflite, Panasonic Avionics, Schott, Isovolta, and of course Aircraft Interiors International.
Innovations landing on the show floor
Among the innovations on this year’s show floor, Airchair will present its expanded wheelchair range, headlined by the Airchair II model, following a global distribution deal with Satair, and WestJet’s order of 22 units for its Boeing 737 fleet.
In the inflight connectivity sector, ThinKom will unveil a new antenna with a small form factor that supports ultra-fast GEO, MEO and LEO operations, engineered for reduced weight and lower cost. Across the halls, SES will be showcasing how it can standardise how Android devices connect to inflight wi-fi systems through a new partnership with Google. Meanwhile Panasonic Avionics is set to demonstrate the progress it is making across in-flight systems, connectivity, digital solutions and technical services.
On the galley equipment side, DKA Aerospace is debuting WasteLite, a lightweight waste cart designed for easier handling, and ThermalCool, an insulated cart capable of keeping food below 7°C for 24 hours. A third product, which addresses what DKA describes as “an issue airlines have been asking to solve for years,” will also be revealed at the show.
Another cart specialist, Enflite, will be showcasing its Modular Refrigerator. This galley appliance separates the compressor-based cooling module, storage module, and door panel, allowing each component to be routed to the appropriate teams for fit and finish. The result is improved material flow and a more streamlined aircraft completion process.
In the cabin lighting sector, Schott and F/List will be introducing Schott Opal Terra, a range of premium reading lights incorporating natural materials such as wood and stone. Schott will also debut SeatSpot, a projector-based solution that can be integrated into business-class seat shells to project seat numbers, logos or messages to streamline boarding. Schott is also advancing its partnership with Jetlite to deliver a new generation of chronobiology-based cabin lighting.
Sogeclair is preparing to unveil three concepts at AIX 2026 within its new Vista demonstrator. The concepts comprise a Front Row Monument Minisuite with an open and flexible layout that maximises space; an enhanced Privacy Door designed to enhance personal space, acoustic comfort and cabin aesthetics; and a Meal Table in single-piece business-class console table and bifold side-ledge versions that enable companion dining in the Minisuites.
The CMF sector is also well represented. One exhibitor, Gen Phoenix, will be showing results from its partnership with Boeing, Teague, Elevate Aircraft Seating, Aerofoam and Müller Textil Group, including the launch of the CirculAir Guide, a practical guide to embedding circularity into seat design from the outset. The company will also show new premium leather finishes that reflect smarter material choices across the aircraft lifecycle.
Many more companies are expected to reveal brand new products and solutions exclusively at the show.
Airlines and innovators discuss the passenger experience
The Passenger Experience Conference (PEC) returns on 13 April, the day before AIX opens its doors, and the organisers promise this year’s programme will be even bolder than in previous years, with speakers from a record 20-plus airlines, including United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Saudi Airlines and Fiji Airways, alongside innovators from companies such as Panasonic Avionics, Teague and Tangerine.
The one-day conference will deliver over 30 sessions across three focused streams: Digital First, Wellness & Human-Centric Design, and Sustainability & the Eco-Conscious Traveller.
The day will close with a networking reception that is open to all delegates, with a theme of marking the 25th edition of the show, ahead of the show floor opening.
Insights on industry issues
Providing context for what’s on display at AIX – not just what’s new but why it matters – CabinSpace Live, the show’s dedicated conference programme, will run over 15 sessions across three days of the exhibition.
The free-to-attend conference will feature expert panels, in-depth Q&As, and practical case studies that will demonstrate how the sector is responding to the latest trends and technologies. Sessions will feature speakers from APEX, Airbus, Vueling, Thales InFlyt Experience, and many more.
Fireside chats will return for 2026, offering candid conversations led by senior voices from airlines, manufacturers and industry associations. Informal yet insight-driven, these sessions are designed to make complex topics accessible and engaging, while equipping airlines and industry professionals with the insights they need to make informed decisions around passenger experience improvements, product development, and service delivery.
The programme will open with a session on antennas and satellites and the next leap in in-flight coverage, before exploring how airlines can better link pre- flight, in- flight and post-flight touchpoints through the smarter use of data and personalisation. The sessions will also examine how airlines can deliver diverse in-flight entertainment that meets evolving passenger tastes and regulatory compliance requirements while maximising monetisation opportunities for airlines.
Further topics include improving cabin comfort through seating, materials, lighting and air quality; advancing inclusive design; and how evolving passenger expectations and sustainability goals will shape the cabin of 2030 and beyond. Commercial aviation will also be in focus, alongside a session offering practical insights for aviation start-ups. Delegates can also look forward to discussions on how to rethink comfort on long-haul flights, the future of regional flying in North America, and the unveiling of this year’s Crystal Cabin Award winners.
Speakers in the programme will include Marc Landgraf, a partner at Porsche Consulting; Paul Edwards, head of advanced design at Airbus; Nils Stoll, owner and CEO of Green Mobility Interior; Tammo Bahns, accessibility and inclusive design expert at Diehl Aviation; Steven Greenway, CEO of Flyadeal; and Arendse Baggesen, founder and CEO of SmallRevolution.
Details of additional talks taking place on Thursday 16 April will be announced soon on the AIX website.
Complementing the programme, Viasat’s Women in Aviation Leaders Luncheon will take place on Wednesday 15th April, bringing together professionals from across the aviation interiors ecosystem for an inclusive and engaging networking opportunity. Open to all ages and genders, the session will offer a relaxed setting to connect, share experiences and gain practical insights from peers and industry leaders, alongside a complimentary buffet lunch.
Recognising fresh industry perspectives
The winners of the 2026 Crystal Cabin Awards will be revealed on the evening of 14th April. The shortlist of 24 finalists was selected by an international jury drawn from companies including British Airways, Collins Aerospace, Lufthansa Group, Safran, and Aircraft Interiors International. The awards will reward winners across eight different categories, including a new Breakthrough Start-ups category, recognising fresh perspectives with the potential to reshape the industry.
Archana Dharni, event director of Aircraft Interiors Expo, said: “25 editions in, and innovation in the aviation interiors sector is accelerating at speed. What AIX uniquely delivers is the entire interiors ecosystem in one place, moving at the pace the industry now demands.
“This anniversary edition is both a moment to reflect on how far the sector has come since our very first edition, and a critical launchpad for the transformational technologies that will come next. It will be simply unmissable,” she added.
The 25th edition of Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) will take place at Hamburg Messe in Hamburg, Germany, from 14-16 April 2026. The event will be co-located with the World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo (WTCE), following the Passenger Experience Conference (PEC) on Monday 13th April.
Your can register at:” Tickets | Aircraft Interiors Expo
