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It’s a new year, and there is an IFEC consensus among industry leaders: It’s no longer a luxury onboard, but a basic expectation among passengers that must be far exceeded in order to garner loyalty.
As Valour Consultancy’s 2024 “The Future of Inflight Entertainment” report found that IFE is no longer just about TV and movies but is “evolving into a holistic digital services platform,” it is becoming clear that complimentary entertainment, connectivity and access to onboard retail services should be available to the traveller from the moment they board the aircraft.
“Free is the future and it is what people expect,” says Patrick Brannelly, SVP IFE & Connectivity, Emirates. “This will be the future, when everybody just naturally connects seamlessly and stays connected.”
In this issue, you’ll find that suppliers and airlines are striving to make reliable connectivity an integrated part of every passenger journey, understanding that this basic need must be accompanied by an array of additional IFE and onboard retail services that speak to the individual’s interests.
As Don Buchman, SVP and GM, Commercial Aviation at Viasat,
tells PAX Tech, “High quality connectivity is the backbone of all this opportunity, and delivering a suite of valuable services on top of that connectivity is where so much of the innovation is happening now.”
For Rosen Aviation, decades of experience in the VVIP and Business Jet cabin are an asset for elevating the passenger experience in the commercial premium cabin, especially where developing loyalty to the airline is concerned.
“The premium passenger expects a personalized, continuous and customizable experience that allows them to optimize rest, entertainment and work during their flight,” explains Lee Clark, Senior VP Strategy, Rosen Aviation.
As the industry converges in Dubai this month for Aircraft Interiors Middle East 2025 and APEX Content Market 2025, we look at the ways suppliers and airlines are answering the call for elevated IFEC experiences for passengers in the MEASA region and beyond.
PAX Tech is excited to bring you these insights and we look forward to sharing news and analyses throughout the year as your trusted source for news.
Robynne Trueman Business Editor PAX Tech
ON THE COVER:
A rendering of Rosen Aviation’s PO-RT-AL (Personally Optimized – Real Time –Augmented Luxury) First Class Suite. Read more on page 16
AIRLINES
10 FRICTIONLESS AND FREE
Patrick Brannelly, SVP IFE & Connectivity, Emirates, talks IFC trends and his outlook on the future of the connected cabin
12 SAMA ON THE MOVE
Babar Rahman, SVP Marketing and Corporate Communications at Qatar Airways, discusses Sama’s debut on Instagram as the world’s first digital human cabin crew with a social media account
CABIN EQUIPMENT
16 COMMERCIAL CABIN, CUSTOM EXPERIENCE
Rosen Aviation’s Lee Clark explains how the company is getting its finger on the pulse of the commercial aviation industry ahead of AIX 2025
IFEC
18 CURATED CONTENT TAKES OFF
All3Media International returns to the APEX Content Market to showcase a diverse lineup of scripted and unscripted content for airline passengers
22 A NETWORK OF OPPORTUNITY
Viasat’s Don Buchman talks IFC trends in the MEASA region and provides an update on Viasat-equipped aircraft for Royal Jordanian Airlines
24 NEXT-GEN TECH AT AIME
From sustainability and supply chain discussions to networking opportunities, AIME organizers highlight the most anticipated aspects of the 2025 edition
26 SHAPING THE FUTURE
AIX Event Director Archana Dharni tells PAX Tech what attendees, exhibitors and airlines can expect in Hamburg
We have the parts to see the bigger picture
Emirates A350-900 takes flight with Thales AVANT Up
Thales and Emirates are celebrating the inaugural flight of the airline’s A350-900, from Dubai, UAE to Edinburgh, Scotland, which took place on January 3. The aircraft is equipped with Thales’s AVANT Up IFE system. Emirates has introduced the next generation of the ice IFE system with a suite of innovations enabled by Thales technologies. The system features more than 30 updated features with more to come.
Passengers will be able to login at the seat, save preferences and continue watching their favourites. The AVANT Up IFE system will also be able to curate recommendations based on watch history, share personalized connecting gate information and more. In addition to event-based live TV content, passengers will be able to binge on iceMoments, a new way to enjoy content in a short video format.
Emirates and Thales have together introduced a user interface (UI) for passengers with vision assistance needs. The UI supports audio-cue navigation assistance, voice metadata feedback, touch and swipe gesture controls and a large selection of audio-descriptive content to create a more inclusive and accessible travel experience for all.
Muirhead highlights seat cover service
Muirhead is celebrating a new chapter as a one-stop solution for seat cover services. The supplier will manage every detail in-house from leather production to finished seat covers, for a seamless process.
With its in-house production, Muirhead aims to shorten lead times, eliminating delays with faster turnarounds and readily available replacement parts.
“Unlike fabrics or synthetics, leather demands specialized craftsmanship and technical expertise to achieve the fit and performance required in aviation,” said Martin Longden, Head of Cabin Engineering, Muirhead. “At Muirhead, we’re proud to have integrated every step of this process under one roof—ensuring airlines benefit from a seamless, accountable solution and the unrivalled quality that only comes from working with a dedicated leather specialist.”
Muirhead’s leather seat covers
The Perfect Match
Air Astana champions Kazakh culture with Stellar Entertainment
Stellar Entertainment has partnered with Air Astana to enhance the inflight entertainment experience for passengers. Since mid-last year, Stellar has worked closely with the airline to provide a fresh, culturally rich selection of entertainment, customtailored for both short- and long-haul flights.
As Air Astana’s Content Service Provider (CSP), Stellar Entertainment will deliver comprehensive IFE services, including content curation, licensing, encoding, metadata, KCTV inflight magazine and IFE guide design and updates in Kazakh, Russian and English. The airline’s content curation strategy is designed to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the nation, offering passengers a truly immersive experience.
Using tools like the Stellar IFE Portal and pixLTM platform, Stellar can streamline content logistics, boost operational efficiency and offer real-time tracking for content performance and budgets, while simplifying IFE management for Air Astana.
“Partnering with Air Astana is an incredible opportunity to combine our global expertise with a localized focus, celebrating the unique cultural heritage of Kazakhstan. We’re proud to be part of Air Astana’s journey as they expand their network and increase their presence across Central Asia, South and East Asia, Europe, and the Middle East,” said Sam Allen, Chief Executive Officer of Stellar Entertainment.
PAX Readership Awards 2025 now open for voting
The PAX Readership Awards 2025 are open for voting now until February 17. It is free to participate, so vote now to honour the aviation projects you have seen and helped create.
“The PAX Readership Awards celebrate the best in the passenger experience industry, and I’m excited for our readership to vote to recognize the innovations and exceptional efforts that make air travel more enjoyable. Every vote is a chance to spotlight the companies and individuals raising the bar for the entire industry,” says Aijaz Khan, Publisher, PAX Tech.
The Awards ceremony will be held on April 9 at the Radisson BLU Hotel, Hamburg, Germany.
Voting is open for the 2025 PAX Readership Awards
An Air Astana passenger enjoying IFE
FRICTIONLESS AND FREE
Emirates
Patrick Brannelly, SVP IFE & Connectivity, Emirates, talks IFC trends and his outlook on the future of the connected cabin
by ROBYNNE TRUEMAN
Emirates has long been a leader in connectivity in the aviation industry, with Patrick Brannelly, SVP IFE & Connectivity, Emirates, telling PAX Tech, “We installed connectivity across the fleet very early on, which, if you’re the first one to go, you end up having the oldest infrastructure in an industry that evolves very quickly. But we are now embarking on a total retrofit of our fleet, including connectivity to bring that up to the best in class again.”
In May 2023, Emirates reported that 10 percent of its passengers
is working toward frictionless connectivity where passengers can be automatically logged onto the Wi-Fi upon boarding
Patrick Brannelly, SVP IFE & Connectivity, Emirates (left) and APEX/IFSA Group CEO Dr. Joe Leader at the APEX Awards in Long Beach, California
were using complimentary onboard Wi-Fi. According to Brannelly, passenger usage of IFC services is steadily increasing with 76 percent of inflight Wi-Fi sessions now free.
“Free is the future and it is what people expect,” he says of the evolving passenger demand.
The connection to loyalty
Brannelly says it is no surprise that more passengers are connecting to inflight Wi-Fi on Emirates’ flights from the Americas versus Europe and Africa because they are longer flights. But while there is a correlation between length of flight and the percentage of connected passengers, he says Emirates has seen the biggest increase in connected passengers on short-haul flights.
“It’s still low, but in terms of percentage, it has grown more than anything,” Brannelly explains. “I think this will be the future when
everybody just naturally connects seamlessly and stays connected.”
Emirates is pushing for this level of frictionless connectivity where passengers can be automatically logged onto the Wi-Fi upon boarding the aircraft. Brannelly likens it to the experience of walking into a shopping mall or hotel where the device remembers the network. He notes that while passenger loyalty is a complicated subject, it is certain that if an airline does not offer reliable, quality service, they will see passenger loyalty diminish.
A future with LEO and GEO
When it comes to imagining the future of the connected aircraft, Brannelly says it is impossible to accurately predict in such a rapidly evolving landscape.
“In 10 years, it could be that people are fed up with being connected all the time and you see a
decline,” Brannelly muses. “You can’t really tell what the trend will be.”
While he says being unable to predict trends could lead to risk for airlines investing hundreds of millions of dollars into IFC, he assures it is just as big of a risk not to spend the money and have the technology available to passengers.
As such, Brannelly explains he expects to see a combination of LEO and GEO satellite options to meet the evolving demands of airlines and passengers.
“LEO satellites have many benefits, GEO satellites have many benefits, and to say the future is going to be purely LEO or purely GEO is probably too simplistic,” he says. “I think that the future will be antennas that work with both and can switch between the two and geographically some areas will be covered only by GEO and others by LEO.”
Emirates reports 76 percent of inflight Wi-Fi sessions are free
Patrick Brannelly, SVP IFE & Connectivity, Emirates (left) and Aijaz Khan, Publisher, PAX Tech, in Dubai
SAMA ON THE MOVE
Babar Rahman,
SVP Marketing and Corporate Communications
at Qatar Airways, discusses Sama’s debut on Instagram as the world’s first digital human cabin crew with a social media account
by JANE HOBSON
Qatar Airways is introducing Sama, the world’s first digital human cabin crew member, to social media via her Instagram account @SamaOnTheMove. As Qatar Airways’ engaging digital ambassador, Sama takes storytelling to new heights through Instagram, offering a curated mix of travel tips, personal anecdotes from her layovers and an insider’s perspective on some of the world’s most exciting destinations.
As Qatar Airways continues to leverage artificial intelligence to enhance the passenger experience, PAX Tech connected with Babar Rahman, SVP Marketing
and Corporate Communications at Qatar Airways to learn more about Sama’s role on social media.
“Sama’s social presence brings Qatar Airways’ innovation and personality directly to a global audience. By being on Instagram, Sama becomes a relatable figure who connects with followers in real-time, enhancing customer engagement in ways that feel personal and approachable. Her role on social media is to inspire, share insights and offer a glimpse into the travel experience with Qatar Airways, reflecting our values of sophistication and worldclass service,” Rahman explains.
Through her Instagram account
@SamaOnTheMove, Sama offers a mix of travel tips, perssonal anecdotes from layovers and an insider’s perspective on some of the world’s most exciting destinations
IG inspo
Rahman says the inspiration to create an Instagram account for Sama stemmed from the desire to bridge the gap between travellers and the digital world. As a digital human, Sama embodies Qatar Airways’ forward-thinking approach to customer engagement.
“The goal is to position her as a resource for travel trips, a source of inspiration and a friendly face that travellers can connect with in their daily lives,” he says.
Not only is Sama a key part of Qatar Airways’ commitment to integrating technology and innovation into every interaction, but she redefines how brands interact in digital spaces. Her role blends technology and storytelling to create moments of inspiration and connection.
“Her Instagram presence aligns
Qatar Airways AI-powered digital human cabin crew member, Sama
seamlessly with our broader digital brand strategy by offering a new way to connect with passengers, combining advanced AI with a human-like digital persona to foster meaningful engagement,” says Rahman, highlighting the airline’s mission to lead the way in digital transformation while maintaining the warmth and care that Qatar Airways is known for.
Sama behind the scenes
Sama is the first of her kind to take flight on social media. She actively engages with followers through comments, stories and other interactions, creating a lively, two-way dialogue.
But as the face of Qatar Airways’ innovation, Rahman says it is essential for her travel tips, personal stories and behind-the-scenes look at the life of a cabin crew member to have a creative, human touch.
Her presence on Instagram is the culmination of cutting-edge technology, creative storytelling and collaborators with leading innovators such as UneeQ, a technology company specializing in the development of digital humans, which are interactive, AI-powered virtual avatars.
While Sama’s content reflects her unique personality, there is a team behind the scenes crafting the posts,
visuals and stories she shares.
“The process blends AI with human activity to produce engaging, high-quality content,” Rahman says. “Her posts will include everything from tips to aspirational lifestyle content, all delivered with a tone that’s warm and approachable.”
Qatar Airways is working toward verifying Sama’s account to ensure her followers recognize her as an authentic digital ambassador for the airline.
Connecting with a digitally native audience
Unveiled during ITB Berlin 2024 to great acclaim, Sama represents Qatar Airways’ commitment to blending innovation with emotional engagement. Sama is designed to connect with a digitally native audience through relatable and inspiring content.
Whether she’s discovering hidden gems in Paris, sharing tips on Qatar Airways products and services, or offering a behind-the-scenes look at life in the skies, Sama will showcase Qatar Airways’ network of more than 170 destinations in a fresh and imaginative way. Her content invites followers to explore new cultures, discover inspiring traditions and see the world through her eyes.
Yet, some digital natives are wary
of trusting AI-powered content creators. It clears the runway for unrealistic expectations, authenticity concerns and commercial bias since the content is controlled by brands.
But as Rahman puts it, Sama is more than just a digital face. She reflects the airline’s dedication to excellence and is designed to inspire confidence through her consistent and thoughtful interactions.
“She embodies Qatar Airways’ expertise and commitment to delivering exceptional travel experiences. Her knowledge is informed by the same high standards of service that define Qatar Airways, ensuring the advice she offers is reliable and valuable,” he says.
To achieve this, Sama’s Instagram presence, content and interactions align with Qatar Airways’ brand values, carefully curated to reflect her personality and Qatar Airways’ commitment to innovation and excellence.
“While she represents advanced AI capabilities, her posts and interactions follow a clear strategy that prioritizes relevance and connection with followers,” Rahman says. “Sama’s role is to inspire, inform and connect with travellers, while her accessible presence strengthens Qatar Airways’ relationship with its audience in the digital world.”
Sama’s Instagram account is now live, @SamaOnTheMove
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COMMERCIAL CABIN, CUSTOM EXPERIENCE
Rosen Aviation’s Lee Clark explains how the company is getting its finger on the pulse of the commercial aviation industry ahead of AIX 2025
by ROBYNNE TRUEMAN
In 2024, Rosen Aviation’s commercial-centric opportunities kicked off, ramping up now and into 2026, as the VVIP and Business Jet supplier paves its way in the commercial aviation industry. Backed by more than 40 years of expertise in delivering reliable, innovative technologies across all aviation markets, the company takes a balanced and equal approach to pursuing cutting edge technologies, while also delivering certified, reliable IFE applications.
“That balance is the key to our success, and the key to many decades of satisfied customers,” Lee Clark, Senior VP Strategy, Rosen Aviation, tells PAX Tech.
Looking at the commercial aviation landscape, Clark says it is clear that airlines want to create more of the “wow” effect for passengers, through differentiation and brand loyalty, and Rosen is working to help airline customers achieve these goals, bringing forward luxury elements of private cabins to the commercial space.
Modular design, constant connection
Rosen and wireless technology development company Qualcomm announced a partnership last year, and Clark tells PAX Tech the collaboration is going to dramatically transform, and ultimately improve, the passenger IFE experience.
“Our next-gen IFE powered by Qualcomm is going to be hugely beneficial for OEMs, operators and integrators as well, by reducing system weight and complexity and making it easier to implement new functions and features,” he explains.
Rosen Aviation’s agnostic IFE product can function as a standalone IFE system with immense processing power and server capabilities.
In addition to improved picture quality and faster image refresh rate, airlines that take Rosen Aviation’s IFE product onboard will have a system architecture driving everything in a fully scalable design.
A founding member of MOSAIC
A rendering of the Immersa in-seat AudioSphere in a First Class pod
Lee Clark, Senior VP Strategy, Rosen Aviation
(Modular Open System Architecture
In Cabin), which aims to increase system and component interoperability, Rosen will design its latest IFE displays for easy integration in a variety of cabin ecosystems.
While airlines are seeking a modular approach to IFE systems, Clark notes that passengers travelling in premium cabins expect an entertainment experience at 30,000 feet akin to those in their daily life, with the convenience of picking up where they left off on a Netflix series or having a high-speed internet connection for video conferencing.
“The premium passenger expects a personalized, continuous and customizable experience that allows them to optimize rest, entertainment and work during their flight,” Clark explains.
Now, Rosen is leveraging its experience in business and VVIP aviation to adapt these same experiences to the premium commercial cabin.
Showcasing sustainability and innovative technologies
As Rosen Aviation gears up for its second year attending the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg, Germany, this April, the supplier is focused on one of the event’s main themes for 2025: sustainability.
Rosen is committed to designing thinner, lighter, more powerefficient technologies using sustainable materials.
“When we achieve these sustainability targets, we make aircraft more efficient, we make the manufacturing process more efficient and the net result is a big increase over IFE products from even just a few years ago,” Clark explains.
As well, Rosen’s internal Green Team is entirely focused on reducing organizational waste, giving back to the community and environment and implementing new practices aimed at increasing efficiency. Some of these
practices include better recycling of manufacturing biproducts like metal shavings and CNC lubricants, using employee volunteers to contribute to charitable activities, integrating rainwater catchers to reduce water consumption and using solar panels to offset electricity usage.
For AIX 2025, Clark says Rosen is looking to capitalize on last year’s momentum, reach customers and introduce new and refined technologies.
Rosen Aviation will be showcasing an all-new booth displaying its technologies such as an ultra-wide digital skylight, multiple seatback display sizes in carbon composite chassis, VIP OLED displays and its in-seat audio product, the Immersa AudioSphere. The supplier is also set to make a significant announcement ahead of the expo.
“We’re learning more as we speak with our visitors and getting a finger on the pulse of the commercial interiors market space,” Clark concludes.
Rendering of NextGen Theia IFE in a First Class pod
CURATED CONTENT TAKES OFF
All3Media International returns to the APEX Content Market to showcase a diverse lineup of scripted and unscripted content for airline passengers
by ROBYNNE TRUEMAN
After attending the APEX Content Market in Lisbon last year All3Media
International is heading to Dubai for the 2025 event, bringing with it an array of content across a host of genres. From premium documentaries and delightful travelogues to gripping crime dramas and psychological thrillers, the U.K.-based distributor will showcase scripted and unscripted content that is thoughtfully curated for the MEASA region.
“Content such as documentaries, travel shows and light-hearted scripted content like All Creatures Great and Small tend to travel well in the region due to the universal themes and familyfriendly nature,” Emily Lawn, Global Inflight Sales Executive at All3Media
International, tells PAX Tech, adding that the content-only focus of the event allows her to get a feel for what airlines are interested in at present.
A dynamic lineup for Dubai
As part of its dynamic content lineup in Dubai, All3Media International is showcasing films and series across a range of genres from unscripted reality shows to scripted psychological thrillers and character-led dramas.
Leading its unscripted slate is Becoming Madonna, an intimate, insightful film that tracks Madonna’s rise to global superstardom.
“It’s an extraordinary portrait of the global superstar that shows her in a completely new light and I am really excited to introduce this,” Lawn reveals.
The natural history series Parenthood, which follows animal parents across the globe as they raise children, is also part of the distributor’s lineup. Lawn notes that the familyfriendly nature of the show, which features never-before-seen footage, makes it hotly anticipated.
The aforementioned All Creatures Great and Small, recently returning for its fifth season, remains popular on airlines and will also be part of All3Media International’s lineup for APEX Content Market Dubai.
All3Media International is bringing Becoming Madonna to APEX Content Market in Dubai
Emily Lawn, Global Inflight Sales Executive at All3Media International
“We always see our travel content and destination specific series connecting with IFE customers as these deliver great content to get passengers excited and provide a taste of the country they are visiting,” Lawn explains.
All3Media International’s travel catalogue covers adventure shows such as all versions of Race Across the World, stunning location focused series like Jewels of The Mediterranean, and entertaining travelogues like Travel Man: 48 Hours in… which shows viewers how to make the maximum out of a mini break, covering cities such as Prague, Marseille, Dublin and Split.
Lawn says she is looking forward to bringing The Traitors U.K. and U.S. versions to airlines, confirming that the third seasons of both these widely viewed versions will be at APEX Content Market.
In the distributor’s scripted lineup, there are two seasons of The Gold, the acclaimed heist series starring Hugh Bonneville, Jack Lowden and Dominic Cooper, as well as the second season of The Ex-Wife, a psychological domestic thriller.
Also on the roster are The Island, U.K.’s first premium Gaelic drama, and the drama Protection, led by Happy Valley’s Siobhan Finneran.
“We’re also excited to be bringing Ellis, a sharp character-led detective drama starring Sharon D Clarke to our IFE clients,” Lawn says.
Finding comfort in content
When it comes to charting recent trends in IFE content for airlines, Lawn reveals that nostalgic comedy series are having a comeback.
“There has been an increase in demand for our back catalogue comedy titles like Fleabag, Peep Show and Green Wing,” she says. “Passengers often like tuning in to shows they have seen and loved before in order to relax and unwind.”
While nostalgic comedy remains king as the ultimate comfort-watch for travellers inflight, Lawn explains that content featuring A-List talent is always attractive to buyers, especially for drama, when competing against big studio titles.
“Last year our most popular titles were The Tourist led by Jamie Dornan and Joan led by Sophie Turner,” she says.
Lawn cites the benefits of attending the APEX Content Market, including meeting with CSP’s and airlines in person, with an exclusive focus on content, while buyers are in the mindset to shop for this year’s titles.
TV Drama Series Black Snow, Season 2
Traitors UK, Season 3
Connecting the airline supply chain
A NETWORK OF OPPORTUNITY
by ROBYNNE TRUEMAN
Viasat’s Don Buchman talks IFC trends in the MEASA region and provides an update on Viasat-equipped aircraft for Royal Jordanian Airlines
Viasat has long been investing in satellite innovation to have a robust, multi-orbit satellite roadmap for the future. These investments are designed to deliver on industry trends taking off in 2025, such as heavy streaming usage, free Wi-Fi offerings, demand in newer markets and data usage on personal electronic devices. As Don Buchman, SVP and GM, Commercial Aviation, Viasat, tells PAX Tech, connectivity alone is no longer enough.
The question he asks is, “How can we do more with it?”
As airlines and suppliers gather in the MEASA region for AIME and MRO ME this month, Buchman explains that airlines can focus on taking that connectivity to the next level, tying in branding elements, driving more loyalty, engagements and brand interactions with each passenger.
“High quality connectivity is the
backbone of all this opportunity, and delivering a suite of valuable services on top of that connectivity is where so much of the innovation is happening now,” Buchman explains.
Enabling a fivestar experience
Viasat is no stranger to working with airlines in the MEASA region. In 2024, Royal Jordanian selected Viasat’s inflight connectivity solution for more than 40 aircraft. Buchman tells PAX Tech that installations are underway on Royal Jordanian’s fleet and the first Viasat-equipped aircraft entered service last year.
“The rollout is evidence of the significant investment and dedication to passenger experience from Royal Jordanian,” Buchman says.
The installations will encompass new additions to the carrier’s fleet, including the E2s, A320, A321s and
Royal Jordanian Airlines first Viasatequipped aircraft entered service in 2024
Don Buchman, SVP and GM, Commercial Aviation, Viasat
787-9 aircraft, as well as upgrades to existing 787-8s. The service includes free Wi-Fi for Business Class and premier loyalty passengers, and sponsored internet for free, time-limited sessions.
When considering recent trends and the unique requirements for IFC in the MEASA region, Buchman says, “It’s well known that airlines in the MEASA region are committed, above all else, to a superb, world-leading passenger experience. Nowadays, this must include inflight connectivity.”
This is evidenced by the results of Viasat’s recent Passenger Experience Survey, which finds that 83 percent of respondents in the UAE say they are more likely to rebook with an airline that offers inflight connectivity.
“They demand connectivity in the skies equivalent to what they experience in day-to-day life,” Buchman explains. “Our airline partners in MEASA are all striv-
ing to provide this as part of their five-star service offerings.”
He adds that the “five-star” connectivity experience goes beyond having reliable Wi-Fi onboard. It requires airlines to deliver a personalized digital experience with a capable connectivity platform where passengers can stream favourite shows, watch Live Sports or even book experiences and transport for when they arrive at the destination.
Viasat’s survey results indicate that 51 percent of respondents in the UAE say they would like access to personal streaming accounts, and 46 percent say they would like to benefit from destination services. Fulfilling these demands allows the airline to deliver that “five-star experience.”
Speed, bandwidth and capacity depth
As proof of Viasat’s track record in increasing bandwidth productivity on
satellites, Buchman points to capacity from satellite ViaSat-3 F1, which has been servicing routes to Hawaii for multiple airlines since last fall.
With peak download speeds in excess of 100 Mbps, passengers experience true broadband connectivity, including streaming services and VPN usage inflight. While Buchman says speed is not the only indicator of high-quality Wi-Fi performance, it is representative of the satellite’s capabilities, even with impairment.
“In the MEASA region today, and, in fact, across the globe, Viasat is well-positioned to provide consistent capacity depth with its existing satellite network while we continue to layer on flexible, multi-orbit capacity from nextgeneration Viasat and partner satellites in the coming years,” he explains.
Passengers using connected devices inflight
Next-gen tech at AIME
From sustainability and supply
chain discussions
to networking opportunities, AIME organizers highlight the most anticipated aspects of the 2025 edition
by ROBYNNE TRUEMAN
Aircraft Interiors Middle East (AIME) and MRO Middle East (MRO ME) return to the Dubai World Trade Center, UAE, on February 10 to 11, 2025, with an action-packed two-day agenda.
Topics of focus at the event will include capacity challenges, digital readiness, SAF and AI. As the largest cabin interiors gathering in the MEASA region, MRO ME and AIME 2025 attract more than 7,500 attendees, 670 airline and lessor buyers and more than 250 exhibitors, Helen Curl, Vice President of Events at Informa Markets, tells PAX Tech.
Among the notable exhibitors returning to the expo floor this month are AMAC Aerospace, AmSafe Aviation, Aviointeriors, Gerflor, Geven, Isovolta, KID-SYSTEME and SCHROTH. First-time exhibitors at this edition include Boxmark Leather, Bucher Leicthbau, Contempo Carpets, Gelbyson and Stukerjurgen Aerospace
Sustainability and supply chains
The focus of the sessions at this year’s event will be sustainability, tech advancements and supply chain solutions. The Go Live! Theater sessions, held throughout the agenda, will cover topics including next-gen cabin concepts, strategies for personalized passenger experience and the optimization of cabin retrofitting.
“The global aviation sector is buoyant, with passenger demand reaching an all-time high, leading to increased efforts for aircraft and modernization programs,” says Curl. “As a result, we’re expecting year-on-year growth in attendees and contracts being signed live at the show this year.”
Creating connections
In addition to being a destination for forward-thinking discussions and showcasing the latest cabin interior innovations, organizers highlight the range of networking opportunities
available to attendees, airline buyers and exhibitors at the AIME pavilion. Attendees can book meetings with key decision makers from Middle East airlines in the available networking lounges via the event app (MRO Middle East & AIME) which is available for download on the App Store and Google Play.
Features of the app include browsing the attendees, agendas, exhibitors and products, sending live chat messages and booking meetings ahead of time, scheduling sessions in a personal agenda and accessing an interactive floorplan of the expo.
In addition, the Buyer Program facilitates direct meetings between exhibitors and buyers from airlines and lessors. Last year, this program successfully arranged more than 500 onsite meetings with exhibitors and 50 approved buyers from across the region, driving meaningful connections and business opportunities.
Helen Curl, Vice President of Events at Informa Markets
AIME takes place at the Dubai World Trade Centre
Shaping the future
AIX Event Director Archana Dharni tells PAX Tech what attendees, exhibitors and airlines can expect in Hamburg
by ROBYNNE TRUEMAN
The Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) is returning to Hamburg, Germany, from April 8 to 10, co-located with the World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo (WTCE) at the Hamburg Messe.
AIX Event Director Archana Dharni tells PAX Tech that the 2025 edition of AIX will welcome first-time exhibitors such as Robert Hofmann GmbH, CesiumAstro, Amerex Corp and Fraunhofer IPK. Returning exhibitors this year include industry leaders such as Panasonic Avionics Corporation, Safran, Geven, Acro Aircraft Seating and Diehl Aviation
The event will also have a heavy focus on sustainability and accessibility, two of the aviation industry’s most pressing priorities, Dharni says. “An emphasis on these themes underscores the industry’s commitment to transforming the passenger experience
while addressing global challenges.”
Dharni says sustainability is a high priority for the industry as airlines strive to meet their net zero targets. As such, AIX 2025 will highlight advancements in materials, cabin designs and operational efficiencies aimed at reducing waste and emissions. A similarly critical focus on accessibility at this edition of AIX means exhibitors will be showcasing innovations such as adaptive seating and diverse design principles.
CabinSpace Live, AIX’s conference and speaker program, is set to return this year with a lineup of industry leaders discussing trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the future of aircraft interiors.
Following the success of last year’s IFEC Zone, AIX 2025 will once again provide a hub for the latest in inflight connectivity and entertainment on the expo floor.
In order to maximize time at AIX 2025, Dharni recommends attendees explore the exhibitor list and event schedule ahead of time to identify key companies and sessions aligned with their goals, as well as checking for updates on the AIX Hub
For airline buyers, Dharni suggests taking advantage of networking opportunities to forge connections with suppliers offering tailored fleet solutions. She also says that participating in the dedicated sessions at CabinSpace Live are an opportunity for exhibitors to elevate visibility and credibility during the expo.
Attendees can download the AIX app and access AIX Connect to schedule meetings ahead of the event. PAX Tech is a media partner for AIX 2025, covering updates in lead up to Hamburg and live from the show floor.
From onboard caterers to connectivity and all the latest in aircraft cabins, the PAX Readership Awards will once again recognize those in the industry that go above and beyond.
The award winners will be announced on Wednesday April 9, 2025 at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Hamburg.
Award winners will be featured in a special spread, as well as in our e-Newsletter.
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