You need a connectivity partner that delivers unparalleled performance and service to meet the needs of your passengers.
Our multi-orbit network, comprised of both LEO and GEO satellites, features seamless global coverage, speeds approaching 200 Mbps, robust resilience, and the scalability to place capacity where it’s needed most. With in-flight connectivity from Panasonic Avionics, you can ensure that you’re delivering the best passenger connectivity experience.
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ISSN 1206-5714
Key title: Pax International
Inspiration takes many forms and comes from many sources, so it is with a sense of excitement that we look forward to this year’s Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX).
While not available this year, it is very likely that some of us will be travelling to Hamburg next year enjoying the comfort of Lufthansa Group’s Allegris long-haul product. As Daniel McInnes, Director at PriestmanGoode, the design agency behind the airline’s First Class and First Class Suite Plus, tells PAX Tech, passengers can look forward to a home away from home experience, all while above the clouds.
Continuing with the seating theme, this issue also includes the lastest from Muirhead Sales Director, Archie Browning who discusses the technology behind the firm’s ActiveHygiene Leather in our feature on page 13. With demand for air travel now fully back to levels seen before the pandemic, ActiveHygiene is embedded with antimicrobial technology — “an always on, self-disinfecting treatment that can reduce invisible microbes on the leather surface by more than 99 percent in 24 hours,” he tells us.
With fears of future virus outbreaks on the minds of many, antimicrobial technology is finding its way into other components of the cabin which experience high rates of touch, adding not only an extra level of protection, but also peace of mind.
While passenger comfort and security are key to the passenger experience the industry is not forgetting about its environmental commitments. With this year’s Earth Day still fresh in our minds, we take a look at the efforts into reducing cabin waste, and how having a better understanding of passenger behaviour around food and beverage can help airlines meet their sustainability goals.
Whether it is in the kitchen or the onboard galley, Artificial Intelligence is quickly becoming a tool to identify areas of improvement, from better use of ingredients or meal components to better meal planning. Lufthansa Industrial Solutions’ Food Waste AI is the latest solution to help tackle an issue airlines have often struggled to address.
As usual, the PAX Tech team will be walking the floors of both AIX and WTCE, so do take the opportunity to stop us and say hello. We’ll be at stand 1D85.
Alex Preston Senior Editor PAX Tech9 GO WITH THE FLOW
Revolutionizing inflight entertainment, IdeaNova's Inplay Flow software is changing the game for passengers and airlines alike CABIN INTERIORS
10 AN APPETITE FOR AI
AI is taking on food waste in the aviation industry. Airlines and suppliers are turning to cutting-edge AI tools like Lufthansa Industry Solutions' Food Waste AI and Emirates Flight Catering's Winnow Vision to tackle the problem of inflight food waste
12 BENEATH THE SURFACE
ActiveHygiene Leather, a Scottish-Swedish collaborative effort between Muirhead and Polygiene, is providing protection against microbes and managing the hygiene challenges of today IFE + TECH
16 LESS ARTIFICAL, MORE INTELLIGENT
Ian Linaker, Founder of Weave Intelligence, details how his company's global technology network uses AI and Big Data to transform airline inventory management
18 LISTENING LINEUP
From customizable headsets to a zero-landfill mission, Linstol CEO Mark Russell shares behind-the-scenes journey of crafting their new innovative aviation accessories
20 FAST-PACED IN SPACE
Don Buchman of Viasat reveals how the ViaSat-3 constellation is delivering high-quality bandwidth that meets the demands of passengers and airlines alike — even in peak usage areas.
24 COMFORT — YOUR WAY
Lufthansa Group's Allegris redefines the long-haul travel experience with a focus on individual well-being and seven different seating configurations in Business Class alone, using premium materials, meticulous workmanship and highquality materiality
33 AIX PREVIEW
Over 1,000 products will be on display from leading global airline and cabin interior suppliers
Panasonic Avionics will be showcasing two of its latest inflight entertainment solutions, Modular Interactive (MI) and Astrova, at the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) 2023.
The solutions are designed to work seamlessly in tandem, allowing airlines to maximize the return on their IFEC investment and support their business objectives by providing tailored immersive experiences.
Astrova, the new seat-end IFE solution, is designed to help airlines drive higher net promoter scores (NPS) by enhancing the passenger experience through features such as a 4K OLED screen, 3D spatial audio, USB-C laptop fast charging, and programmable LED accent lighting. Astrova can be installed on both single-aisle and twin-aisle planes and provides substantial weight savings compared to alternative seat-end solutions, allowing airlines to meet their sustainability objectives and decrease fuel consumption.
MI allows airlines to turn services on or off at any time without requiring additional software. Airlines interactives can be changed to display customized and tailored A/B campaigns at any time, enabling the airline to access higher levels of passenger engagement.
The modular designs of Astrova and MI negate the need for costly retrofits and modifications, allowing airlines to easily upgrade their in-cabin technology and the content it provides.
Etihad Airways is launching its new Wi-Fly “Chat” and “Surf” connectivity packages for its widebody fleet.
All Etihad passengers will be offered complimentary “Chat” messaging, including access to popular messaging apps like WhatsApp and Messenger, while “Surf” Wi-Fi packages are available for a flat fee with unlimited data for the duration of the flight. Etihad Guest Platinum and Exclusive tier members, as well as First Class passengers, will be offered complimentary “Surf” Wi-Fi access throughout their flight.
Passengers on Etihad’s narrow-body fleet can still make phone calls, send and receive text messages and use their data roaming packages as they would on the ground.
Norwegian Air Shuttle is renewing its partnership with inflight connectivity (IFC) provider Anuvu for its current and future aircraft.
Anuvu will upgrade Norwegian’s IFC hardware with its Dedicated Space technology, which uses proprietary software to distribute capacity based on need, providing a more consistent and stable inflight internet experience for passengers and crew, as well as significant improvements in upload and download speeds.
The technology will be added first to 737 NG aircraft later this year, then to Norwegian’s 737 MAX orders, expected to arrive through 2030. Norwegian Air Shuttle became the first European airline to offer Wi-Fi on
HAECO Cabin Solutions and Diehl Aviation have jointly launched a new premium cabin concept for A320 family Airspace aircraft. Eclipse Staggered is a premium seat designed to provide optimal comfort in either a five-abreast (three by two) or four-abreast configuration on A320 family aircraft. The solution delivers improved density for airlines while also improving passenger comfort and the overall passenger experience. Combined with lightweight, enlarged storage compartments and other new-technology cabin components from Diehl Aviation, this system allows the cabin to be customized for an asymmetric seating distribution.
The key to comfort is that the seats are staggered relative to each other so that passengers’ shoulders are not in line with their immediate neighbour. In addition, the fixed backrest allows each passenger to have a protected living space regardless of the recline position of the seat in front of them.
Eclipse Staggered has two application options on the A320 family aircraft. The first is replacing traditional two-bytwo recliner-style domestic First Class seats and second
is for A320 family aircraft being used on long-haul routes where there is a widening gap between lie-flat Business and Economy Class products.
Diehl Aviation will be exhibiting a full-size cabin demonstrator showing the configuration for the first time at its booth at AIX 2023.
Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) and ThinKom Solutions are joining forces to bring a new gateway array to the market.
As constellations in non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) increase, there is a need for disruptive technology to deliver improvements in ground station performance and scalability. This partnership will combine KSAT’s deep ground station experience with ThinKom’s new gateway arrays built on field-proven, high-efficiency, patented VICTS (Variable Inclination Continuous Transverse Stub) technology.
Utilizing cutting-edge technologies is crucial for KSAT’s ambitious network expansion, and ThinKom’s phased array antenna technology plays a vital role in enabling KSAT to continue to expand to new levels. With ThinKom’s modular and scalable gateway arrays, KSAT can customize and create a software-defined ground segment solution to fit their needs. The multi-beam, multi-band, and multi-orbit system ensures that KSAT can keep up with advancements in satellite networks, making it an essential tool for gateway providers.
This new gateway array architecture will join KSAT’s global footprint of more than 270 parabolic apertures spread across every continent. The new architecture will reduce the total cost of ownership through hot-swappable modules, reduced infrastructure, installation, and maintenance costs, more efficient spectrum utilization, low power consumption, and a smaller physical and visual footprint when compared to traditional parabolic dishes.
ThinKom’s gateway array will provide simultaneous connectivity at KSAT's ground stations for multiple satellites operating in different orbits and frequency ranges
ABC International has developed and certified a new Movable Class Divider (MCD), a solution for passenger cabin class division that will be showcased at AIX 2023. This divider has been conceived and developed for A320 aircraft with the aim of allowing a more dynamic and easy class separation across single-aisle aircraft by avoiding fixed installations and so reducing costs.
MCD is composed of three elements: two side pelmets and one central divider.
All parts are manufactured in aluminium and honeycomb. The central divider includes the label “EXIT” and informational placards that can be customized together with panel colours and trim.
Side components have been designed with a large frontal window in order to allow visibility of luminous NS (No Smoking) and FSB (Fasten Seat Belt) signs from any angle in compliance with cabin safety regulations. This cost-saving solution has been adopted to ease retrofit installation and avoid drastic PSU units’ relocation and reduce the relevant cost impact.
Crew members and LM staff can fix and secure the Movable Class Divider in the desired row by means of a fast-locking system: no specific training or MRO support is needed. Upon request, ABC International can produce curtains using either its raw materials or fabrics provided by a customer.
CTT is launching an onboard humidifier that uses an active carbon filter. The new Humidifier Onboard Pure Air generates a striking humidity increase that elevates comfort by decreasing dryness in Business Class.
On long-haul flights, the average cabin humidity without any active humidification remains at seven percent in Business and five percent in First Class, creating extremely dry conditions. Low humidity dehydrates the body, including the eyes, sinuses and mucous membranes, thereby reducing the function of the immune system.
The Humidifier Onboard aims to ensure travellers have better relaxation through improved sleep, which means less jet lag. The humidifier also reduces odours from fuel and de-icing. By restoring cabin climate performance, airlines can upgrade the traveller’s experience and introduce new comfort levels.
Available for retrofit and line-fit on commercial aircraft as well as private jet completions, this CTT humidifier has started to migrate to the premium passenger cabin and large-cabin, long-range business jets.
The rise of streaming services such as Amazon Prime and Netflix has changed the way media is consumed both at home and inflight. With the ability to download content onto personal electronic devices (PEDs) and watch it when they like, passengers now have more entertainment options when they fly.
This has prompted some commentators to predict the demise of the embedded seat-back screen.
For some airlines, this has also meant choosing one option over another. But now a new software solution from IdeaNova Technologies is aiming to change the relationship between seatback inflight entertainment (IFE) and wireless IFE from competitive to complementary.
Giving passengers “the best of both worlds,” IdeaNova’s Inplay Flow, which debuts during this year’s AIX 2023 in Hamburg, Germany (June 6 to 8), was developed to allow passengers to share content including movies, TV shows, pictures, or documents between their PED and their seatback screens. This includes pre-downloaded content and, if allowed by the license usage, content stored locally on popular subscription video-on-demand platforms, such as Hulu and Paramount Plus.
This content sharing can help budget-conscious airlines reduce their costs for licensing content. Meanwhile, passengers on airlines that already provide licensed content can benefit from a wider selection that combines their own and airline-provided content.
Inplay Flow can leverage any current (LAN (local area network) or Wi-Fi) based networking or future networking options such as LiFi or Wi-Fi 6 technology.
Another key feature of the software is its ability to operate in two different modes. In the first, a passenger can provide screen sharing options for the playback of video, static images, and audio files. In the second, Inplay Flow can be operated via a native app integrated into an airline-provided passenger application. A special aspect is that digital rights managed (DRM) encrypted content can also be shared, as long as it is permitted by the content owners and studios.
Inplay Flow was developed “based on passenger feedback and our IFE expertise in customer scenarios, including back-end streaming software on headend aircraft servers, seatback displays, and customer-facing applications beyond traditional content-watching experi-
ences,” said Juraj Siska, Co-Founder of IdeaNova, in a media statement. “Customers wanted more than an either-or scenario — seatback vs. PED.”
Speaking to PAX Tech ahead of the upcoming release, he adds, “Inplay Flow unleashes greater opportunity for immersive in-cabin entertainment and the elevation of business productivity tools, while reducing infrastructure and content cost.”
Siska continues: “Inplay Flow allows business passengers to leverage seatback as their second screen, improving the work environment while flying, thus improving productivity. Passengers can for example, cast their spreadsheet on seatback display while working on an email from their personal devices, crossreferencing data from the spreadsheet.”
As a testament to its powerful potential, Inplay Flow is currently on the 2023 Crystal Cabin Awards shortlist in the “In-flight Entertainment and Connectivity” category. The Crystal Cabin Award winners will be announced at the AIX Show in Hamburg on June 6.
Responsible Consumption and Production Patterns”, is committed to cutting global food waste per capita in half by 2030. The role of aviation in meeting this target is significant. While waste generated on flights operating within the European Union can be efficiently processed, recycled and reused, the same is not true for waste from international flights originating outside the EU.
by ALEX PRESTONThis year marked 53 years since Earth Day began, raising awareness of environmental issues and promoting actions seeking to improve sustainability.
In addition to the increasing commitment to the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to help reduce the carbon emissions of aircraft, airlines have also pledged to better manage their cabin waste and positively contribute to the circular economy by reducing, reusing and recycling.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) defines cabin waste as having two distinct streams. Cleaning waste, as its name implies, is leftover rubbish from items given to passengers on the aircraft and includes newspapers, food dropped on the floor, plastic bottles, etc. It also includes the contents of washroom bins and medical waste.
Catering waste, the second stream, comes from inflight meals, snacks and beverages served to passengers and includes leftover food and drinks, as well as ice. According to the association, around 20 percent of cabin waste comprises untouched food and drink.
IATA sees that aviation has a role to play in 15 of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Goal 12, “Ensure
In 2002, the EU introduced the Animal By-Products legislation (No. 1774/2002) which classified international catering waste (ICW) as a biohazardous waste (Category 1). The current EU legislation (Regulation (EU) 1069/2009) requires that ICW be subject to strict control and treatment by incineration or disposal by deep burial in an authorized landfill.
IATA believes that up to 40 percent of the uncontaminated waste from an estimated 400,000 – 450,000 tonnes of ICW Category 1 generated each year could be reused or recycled.
To mitigate the effects of cabin food waste, airlines and their suppliers are turning to the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
AI technology can help airlines collect anonymized data on passengers’ food consumption behaviour, helping airlines understand food preferences. Tracking the consumption of food items served on board flights with detailed information around components and portions of the meal that are not consumed, can not only highlight food wastage patterns but also reduce overall food waste, improve meal planning and reduce operating costs such as the fuel burn associated with carrying excess weight.
The Food Waste AI from Lufthansa Industry Solutions (LHIND), a Lufthansa subsidiary that helps clients, both within and outside the Lufthansa Group with digital transformation, is the result of its collabora-
Airlines and their suppliers are turning to artificial intelligence to better understand food waste, both in the kitchen and in the cabinLufthansa Industry Solutions uses computer vision AI to avoid food overproduction (Lufthansa Industry Solutions) PHOTO CREDIT: LUFTHANSA GROUP
tion with Lufthansa and caterer LSG Sky Chefs.
The solution uses the “computer vision” technique, a field of AI that enables computers to derive meaningful information from digital images and other visual inputs and make recommendations based on that information.
Each meal tray is visually recorded after the meal on board and fed into a database. Based on the captured meal tray data, a before-and-after analysis of all menu components i.e. ingredients, is possible, allowing more accurate predictions for inflight catering production and delivery in the medium term, which in turn will help reduce food and packaging waste.
Those involved in the project say the tool can also be used across industries for canteens and restaurants.
LHIND isn’t the first to explore the use of AI to combat food waste.
In 2020, Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC), selected Winnow as its technology partner to embed Artificial Intelligence across its production facilities to drive down wastage. Winnow is a provider of cutting-edge technology to help chefs cut food waste in half.
The EKFC culinary team uses Winnow Vision, Winnow’s flagship AI product which harnesses the power of computer vision and machine learning. Winnow Vision uses computer vision, taking
AI will be increasingly used to forecast inflight meal demands (Lufthansa Industry Solutions) more accurately
information in an image, breaking it down in detail, and then making the computer analyze this information to understand what the image is. The system takes photos of wasted food as it,s thrown away and, using the images, the machine trains itself to recognise what is thrown in the bin.
More recently, in 2021 Etihad joined forces with UAE-start-up The Concept, to develop the NEOS Fly+, an internet of things (IoT)-based inflight smart tray.
The NEOS Fly+ tray is made from sustainable materials including PET bottles previously used on board and then recycled.
As AI is rolled out across the wider hospitality and catering industries, airlines and their suppliers have a great opportunity to make zero waste onboard less aspirational and more realistic, and surely that’s something to savour.
While airframers and airlines have always gone to great lengths to ensure that the aircraft cabin is a safe environment for both passengers and crew, the COVID-19 pandemic thrust concerns about onboard hygiene to the front of passengers’ minds.
Some measures taken in the last few years have been very visible — such as the use of electrostatic sprayers or UltraViolet UVC Germicidal Irradiation — while others have been less perceptible: silently disinfecting surfaces to reduce health risks.
In a single day, an aircraft seat will undergo nearconstant contact with passengers, crew and possibly ground personnel. While between aircraft turnarounds, a “spray and wipe” process is usually sufficient to clean a seat, the use of antimicrobial technologies further enhances hygiene in the cabin by introducing added protective qualities to surfaces, both in line-fit and retrofit aircraft.
One such antimicrobial solution is Muirhead’s ActiveHygiene Leather, the first ever leather made for aviation interiors to feature these antimicrobial properties. The product was designed in partnership with Sweden’s Polygiene, a leading provider in hygiene control technology, to complement airlines’ existing cleaning protocols and reduce microbial levels on the surface between cleans.
As Archie Browning, Sales Director at Muirhead, explains to PAX Tech: as a self-cleaning product, with respect to micro-organisms, ActiveHygiene removes the need for additional sanitizing of seat covers, head and armrests — helping operators speed up turnaround times.
Polygiene BioMaster™ technology is permanently integrated into the material during Muirhead’s 100 percent circular manufacturing process, making it an intrinsic part of the leather. The result, says Browning, is “an ‘always on’,
self-disinfecting treatment that can reduce invisible microbes on the leather surface by more than 99 percent in 24 hours.”
The antimicrobial technology in ActiveHygiene is effective against the likes of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), H1N1 (Swine Flu), and H3N2 (the most-commonly detected flu virus worldwide). Polygiene BioMaster, Browning points out, was the first commercial treatment to prove effective against SARS-CoV-2 on porous and non-porous surfaces.
As part of the Scottish company’s stringent quality, performance, and sustainability requirements, Muirhead ActiveHygiene Leather was subjected to rigorous internal and external testing and evaluation, with all testing conducted to ISO 21702:2109 Industry standards — a measurement of antiviral activity on plastics and other non-porous surfaces — offering total confidence that the figures were credible and accurate.
“We took great care to ensure the material still complied with the global quality standard [ISO 21702:2109] after being artificially worn, as well as after cleaning. We also ensured the product was harmless to the skin and did not interfere with its natural bacterial flora. Lastly, we tested the effectiveness of the antimicrobial technology in varying environments by exposing the material to high temperatures and humidity levels.”
Antimicrobial technology is helping take seat hygiene to new levels
The company’s patented circular manufacturing process is unique, using its own process waste as fuel. Muirhead’s own thermal energy plant reclaims energy as both steam or a biofuel co-product from its waste streams and uses some of this heat to directly power its tannery. This minimizes waste going to landfills and radically reduces the company’s corporate and product carbon footprint.
The company sources 95 percent of its water from its own loch, with its own water ultrafiltration facility enabling them to recycle up to 40 percent of treated water back into use within production, while a take-back scheme enables the company to repurpose end-of-life leather as fuel.
“In addition, our unique end-to-end approach means we have a fully traceable, transparent supply chain — and our partnership with Polygiene® is no exception. But even more important than consistency is the actual performance and durability of our materials,” states Browning, who adds that Muirhead’s highly technical aviation leathers, including ActiveHygiene, last a very long time in service.
“That’s why we offer an industry-leading seven-year warranty on our aviation leathers, with many carriers reporting that they fly Muirhead leather for 10 years or more.
“It is reasonable to suggest that with such a long service life, airlines will actually use half as much leather in their seating as they would other materials, so the long-term cost and environmental impact of using long-lasting natural leather is relatively low compared to using less durable materials,” adds Browning.
Since launching ActiveHygiene, Muirhead has been working closely with a number of airlines and seating manufacturers to develop bespoke antimicrobial leather products for their needs — with the perfect colour, substance, and performance
to suit their brands and delight their passengers.
Conversations have been helped by the fact that installing ActiveHygiene leather in aircraft cabins means reducing both their turnaround times and their reliance on harmful chemicals. “With ActiveHygiene, the general upkeep of the leather seat covers requires nothing but a damp microfibre cloth and mild, soapy water,” Browning asserts, adding that “with Polygiene Biomaster built into the leather during our existing manufacturing process, there are no additional stages required, meaning that delivery lead times for our Muirhead ActiveHygiene Leather are not impacted in any way.”
Muirhead is on a mission to take seat hygiene to a new level and set new standards in cabin wellness. Offering an extra level of protection, antimicrobial technology is giving passengers peace of mind by allowing them to feel safe, confident and comfortable when travelling by air.
Ian Linaker, Founder of Weave Intelligence, details how the company’s global technology network uses AI and Big Data to transform airline inventory management
by STEPHANIE PHILP
Weave’s reading infrastructure is strategically positioned around the world in key places airlines care about, such as an airline’s cabin cleaner or laundry facility
Ian Linaker identified a costly problem shared by all airlines. One that others had, to date, found too big to tackle. With his experience in this industry, including restructuring and turning around Watermark — Linaker’s next step was to solve one of the industry’s big headaches: What happens to onboard products once they enter circulation? Until now, there has been no good way of tracking the millions of items flowing around the world.
“Airlines are very good at procuring product, but the understanding of the product lifecycle can often stop there, once it’s on the plane,” Ian Linaker, Founder of Weave Intelligence, tells PAX Tech. “There are so many products where it then becomes extremely difficult to know what you have, how many you have, how old they are, and importantly, where all the product is at any one time.”
“Airlines have huge, costly black holes where money is leaving the airline,” is what Linaker boils it down to. These black holes are points all across the airline network but “the airline doesn’t know where.”
Whereas some catering operations are able to scientifically manage everything from the cost of a piece of cheesecake to the grams of protein per dish, these standards do not regularly exist for other products. “All airlines see is
how many items they inject into the operation per year,” Linaker says. Weave Intelligence solves this problem.
For example, for textiles, Weave uses RFID tracking technology to monitor the lifecycle of every textile product in circulation. Tags are sewn in at an airline’s manufacturer and are not visible to passengers. Weave has developed a global network of reading terminals at key operational locations — detecting these tags to provide critical inventory and lifecycle data to its customers, at a unitary level.
Weave’s value, Linaker explains, is the complex software that pulls and then analyzes the real-time tag data from the outstations around the world. “Anybody can stitch in an RFID tag — that doesn’t really do anything significant. Weave has spent a considerable amount of time building a complex software along with an AI reporting platform that analyzes huge volumes of data and tells our customers what is happening to the products.” Weave delivers business intelligence that drives better operational decision making.
Big airlines are international and have operations that touch every part of the world. “Because of that,” Linaker explains, “The supply chains are very fragmented.”
Independently managing hundreds of local cabin cleaner and laundry relationships can be difficult for airlines. Weave fills that gap.
For example, “are there enough Business Class pillows in circulation? Where are they? Are we going to run out? Are they performing as expected?” Weave can answer all of these questions by tracking inventory automatically at a unit level.
“The moment you put Weave into a blanket, you can track everything from the number of blankets you’ve got on-hand, to a product’s age, its rotations, the overall equipment balance and location (as well as product) performance.”
Weave can differentiate between all of the different SKUS because each tag is unique, Linaker tells PAX Tech.
No data is read on the aircraft as the tags are passive — they are not battery powered. “That’s important,” Linaker says, “due to complex compliance requirements.”
Weave’s reading infrastructure is strategically positioned around the world in key places airlines care about — ones that are “typically a funnel or a bottleneck where they are taking product off an aeroplane and aggregating it, as well as reprovisioning aircraft” Linaker explains. Examples include at an airline’s cabin cleaner, third-party warehouse, or at a laundry.
If a problem is identified — for example if a large quantity of product is consistently going missing from a particular location — an airline then has the power to investigate.
Weave ultimately improves the passenger experience by monitoring and increasing the quality of the products onboard. Weave also helps airlines deliver significant sustainability goals.
“If a customer knew that an item had been washed sustainably or had a zero-carbon impact, they would see that an airline is making an effort and is taking sustainability seriously — making conscious choices to try to do something about it in all aspects of the cabin,” he says.
Linaker knows that today, “doing more with less, and maximizing performance” is an important part of being environmentally conscious. When an airline sets out to place a blanket onboard that in theory should withstand 20 rotations, “they have no ability to know if they really are getting 20 rotations” and thereby maximizing performance.
Weave intelligence goes one step further in allowing airlines to track variables in a wash cycle to gauge the lifetime carbon footprint of each individual item. “Customers can then automatically report against this, and choose to offset the carbon impact by working with our various partners to plant trees,” and other carbon offset programs, Linaker says.
In addition to increasing the sustainability focus, airlines are using Weave to gain “a competitive advantage from the commercial benefit of improved procurement management.”
“With the ability to accurately manage their inventories, airlines can make better operational and procurement decisions, without being wasteful,” Linaker says. “Our clients are often quite surprised when they receive the first data set and we tell them what is actually occurring throughout their supply chains.”
Weave’s software, which provides its customers with a single source of real-time inventory data, then leverages this data to help its client solve the underlying issues. By the end of 2023, Linaker believes Weave will be the largest global network of connected outstations in the world.
Linstol CEO
by STEPHANIE PHILPLinstol prides itself on producing industry-leading headsets and earbuds with customizable designs at a competitive price that ultimately provide a highquality IFE experience for passengers. PAX International spoke to CEO Mark Russell about how improving comfort and having better acoustic traits will lessen listening fatigue and ultimately level up the passenger experience.
Currently, Linstol has over 30 fully-customizable designs on offer to clients. New products can be “unique to a specific client both acoustically and visually,” Russell tells PAX International.
The headsets and earbuds are flying on more than 55 global airlines. This includes: Air New Zealand, ANA, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta Airlines, Etihad, Air France, Korean Air, Qantas, Qatar, Singapore Airlines, Saudia, United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and many more.
The company’s design team works collaboratively to bring new products to life. Russell explains that the process starts “as either a need to solve a technical issue for a customer or as a design idea that gets transformed into a conceptual drawing.” The team prints 3D versions of ideas and from there products “are literally sculpted and adjusted to create a finished conceptual model,” Russell says.
Next, Flysonic takes the product to the R&D team to develop handmade
samples for design review. The acoustic specialist comes in after that to optimize the sound quality of the product and, finally, the team begins to stress test the product to confirm it is “exceptional sounding” and “will also hold up well to the unique environments of our industry.”
Linstol works with Meridian Audio a global leader in acoustic design, and its Engineered by Meridian (EBM) division to consistently drive for improvement in audio performance. “By constantly challenging convention, they help us enrich the customer’s onboard experience,” Russell says.
Linstol has also worked with Phitek/ Amphenol to operate all Phitek headsetrelated activities since April 2020.
In 2022, Linstol produced over 200 million earbuds and headsets for airlines. The product packaging includes “a variety of earth-friendly paper products, wraps for Business Class and Economy Class headsets as well as multi-use solutions that encourage the passenger to reuse packaging over multi-flight itineraries,” Russell tells PAX International. Using this environmentally friendly, multi-use approach helps Linstol and its partners lower the amount of plastic waste produced.
Working toward a “zero-landfill” goal is important to the company. Russell says that collaborations with companies like MNH Sustainable Cabin Services help
recycled plastics captured from oceanbound waste streams into new headsets.
For Russell, it has been exciting to see how the industry has shifted from prioritizing the lowest possible cost “to a willingness to invest funds in improved earbud/headset programs that allow for a minimal investment and yet reap huge rewards from a passenger perspective.”
Looking ahead, Russell sees that Bluetooth technology is starting to take hold in the industry. Linstol is working with several airlines on new products that incorporate this technology. In addition, Linstol's R&D teams are looking at ways to improve the life cycle of products. “This includes everything from ARINC standard pin designs to breakage analysis with our refurbishing partners that will help us better understand how to build stronger products,” Russell says.
“I’m excited about the future of Linstol and the airline industry.”
Mark Russell details the design process of his company’s headsets and earbuds that currently fly on more than 55 airlines
by STEPHANIE PHILP
Inflight connectivity is moving away from being considered just a “nice to have.” To keep up with the fast-paced innovation in the IFC field, airlines are focused on smoothing out the connectivity experience for passengers. Though the question of “how it works” may not be on every passenger’s mind, it is an important question to consider. Satellite companies such as Viasat are working behind the scenes (and in space) to make it all happen on board.
In this Q&A, PAX Tech speaks to Don Buchman, Viasat’s Vice President and General Manager of Commercial Mobility. In the discussion, Buchman shares excitement about Viasat’s recent launch of ViaSat-3 Americas. The launch of the ViaSat-3 constellation represents the first time the company has launched a trio of satellites. As the “world’s highest capacity satellite ever to launch” it is a “significant achievement,” he says. He also details updates from partnerships with Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines and makes some predictions for this year’s AIX. “I expect there will be a lot of discussion in Hamburg about everything on the aircraft being connected via Wi-Fi: seat screens, coffee makers, engines,” he says. “While this has been a concept for some time, this is finally shifting from talking to doing, which is really exciting for the industry.”
Don Buchman, Vice President Commercial Mobility, Viasat (Viasat)Before ViaSat-3, previous owned satellites were exclusively single satellites. Though ViaSat-1 and ViaSat-2 will remain viable and productive for some time, ViaSat-3 is considered the company’s most ambitious project yet.
“In the past,” Buchman says. “There was always a necessary trade-off: capacity or coverage, but not both. That is why this program is so ambitious and represents ground-breaking innovation. The leap here is massive capacity with near global coverage.”
To highlight how this launch is truly pushing the envelope, Buchman shared the following highlights:
• “In terms of power, each ViaSat-3 satellite will have greater than 25kW of power, making them among the highest-powered satellites ever built. This power capacity is necessary to power the sophisticated electronics at the core of the satellite’s tremendous capacity.
• Once deployed in space, the ViaSat-3 satellites will be significantly larger than most other geostationary satellites, with an overall wingspan of 144 feet — about half a football field — and weighing approximately six metric tons.
• ViaSat-3 Americas will be the largest all-electric satellite to be launched and is lighter than anything we’ve launched before.”
PAX TECH: Why is inflight connectivity so important right now?
DON BUCHMAN: Just like on Earth, on board an aircraft the plethora of data-hungry devices and video-based applications is driving (exponentially) increasing demand for bandwidth. Passenger expectations have evolved, too, especially in recent years as video has become the dominant internet traffic driver. Now, bringing along streaming subscriptions during travel is increasingly the norm.
For airlines, consistent and high-quality connectivity can be a key enabler operationally. This can include keeping crew and maintenance departments connected and facilitating real-time operational data to key stakeholders.
PAX TECH: Knowing how vital connectivity is to airlines and passengers alike, how is Viasat meeting the demand for high-speed, quality IFC?
BUCHMAN: We have said for some time now that the right bandwidth is the key element to great inflight connectivity. And that has been our focus —Viasat continues to invest heavily in satellite technology to not only keep pace but exceed the swelling demand for connectivity around the globe.
For inflight connectivity specifically, we have intently focused on addressing the most pressing challenge to great Wi-Fi onboard in aviation. And that is having the bandwidth supply to provide a high quality, consistently fast connection in areas of peak demand — such as at busy airport hubs or even highly congested air corridors. The industry has responded positively to our efforts to meet this challenge and, in the process, unlock opportunities via connectivity.
PAX TECH: How does Viasat meet the demand where it is highest and most concentrated?
BUCHMAN: Demand for satellite bandwidth across global air travel is — similar to fixed broadband demand — heavily concentrated over certain geographical areas, including major hub cities. Airlines are increasingly understanding that matching supply (capacity) with demand over these busy hubs is the primary challenge for providing consistently great inflight connectivity.
So, increasingly, the expectation is that the on-board connectivity is as consistent when the aircraft is parked alongside hundreds of others at JFK or ATL or DFW — when demand is peaked — as it is when cruising at 35k feet over remote areas of Montana, where demand is of course lower. As a provider, we are measured when demand is highest so it’s critical to our customers that we deliver in those scenarios.
Flexible capacity means Viasat can address variable demands so the connectivity experience remains consistent for each passenger no matter where they are or when.
PAX TECH: ViaSat-3 Americas launched the Kennedy Space Center on April 26, 2023. What new connectivity needs will the new launch meet?
BUCHMAN: ViaSat-3 Americas is expected to be the world’s highest capacity satellite ever to launch. Collectively, the three-satellite ViaSat-3 constellation is anticipated to provide more capacity than any other telecommunication network currently in orbit. In fact, the ViaSat-3 constellation is expected to offer nearly eight times more capacity than Viasat’s current satellite fleet.
Beyond the sheer capacity leap, which is astounding, the flexible capacity that ViaSat-3 is designed to provide will further address a key challenge to great inflight Wi-Fi, which is providing a high quality, consistently fast connection in areas of peak demand.
PAX TECH: How is the ground network connected to the satellite system?
BUCHMAN: Like all satellite networks, Viasat requires a reliable, highly resilient ground network. A ground network is a collection of Earth stations connected to the internet by fiber optic cable. These locations, often called gateways, have large antennas aimed at the satellite and serve as an intermediary between the user and the internet.
As our satellites have grown more sophisticated, the ground stations have increased in number and decreased in size. More of these “Satellite Access Nodes” — or SANs — not only means a more powerful ground network but also one that’s highly flexible and resistant to outages due to the redundancy so many SANs provide.
Delta Air Lines began offering free Wi-Fi to all Delta SkyMiles® Members onboard most domestic mainline flights this year on February 1. Viasat IFC services will soon be featured on Delta Air Lines’ widebody fleets, including all active aircraft in its A330, A350, and 767 fleets. In addition to previously announced mainline fleets, the A220 and upcoming deliveries of the 737 MAX will also be outfitted and serviced by Viasat.
According to Buchman, Delta remains on track to offer Viasat IFC service on more than 700 aircraft by the end of 2023. “The speed and scale at which we have reached this milestone together — now with more than 1,000 aircraft planned for installation, including widebody fleets — has been astounding and is a tribute to our collaboration, Buchman says “So, installations continue to go smoothly and at a rapid pace. The number of certifications acquired during the process is impressive as well, which is a massive undertaking for the team and something we’re quite proud of.”
PAX TECH: How is the system installed on aircraft?
BUCHMAN: The installation process can vary depending on if inflight connectivity equipment is the only installation taking place, but typically this is a one- to three-day process that requires the aircraft to be out of service for a short time.
The initial Viasat-equipped Southwest aircraft entered service in March 2023. Onboard, both IFC and live TV are provided by Viasat’s satellite network. In a release in March it was noted that the service includes 13 channels like CNN, ESPN, FOX, and some seasonal channels such as the NFL Network and the Golf Channel.
The service works on mobile devices, including laptops, Android, and iOS personal electronic devices. Additionally, with Viasat, passengers have the ability to trade paid internet connectivity between personal devices. This is known as “device swapping.”
PAX TECH: Initial Southwest Airlines line-fit aircraft have been delivered and have entered service with Viasat’s IFC service. How did the launch go?
BUCHMAN: Overall, service entry with Southwest has been incredibly smooth and successful. Customers who purchase Southwest’s $8 internet “Takeoff to Landing,” (on Viasat-equipped aircraft) can log into their favourite streaming service and watch content, catch live TV, and access social media or other apps.
The ability to trade paid internet connectivity between personal devices (known as “device swapping”) on ViaSat-equipped Southwest aircraft is enabled because the connectivity session for the flight is digitally tied to the passenger’s email address. So, moving connectivity from a laptop to a phone, for example, is as easy as entering your email address into Southwest’s portal on the second device.
• Easy to install in any type of cabin
• Ready to install (no additional hardware needed)
• No installation training required
• No PSU units relocation needed
• Fully customizable Delivered with EASA approved Service Bulletin, CMM, ICA and Form One with a highly competitive Lead Time.
When Lufthansa Group unveiled its Allegris long-haul product in October 2022, it did so proclaiming that it was the dawn of a new era. With a focus on individual well-being and seven different seating configurations in business class alone, the Group is truly putting the passenger at the heart of the journey.
In financial terms, Allegris is part of the largest product and service overhaul in the Lufthansa Group's history, with a total investment of 2.5 billion euros (approximately USD2.75 billion) by 2025. For the passenger, it’s the simultaneous improvement of the travel experience in all classes and the replacement of more than 27,000 seats.
To deliver this new experience for passengers in Economy, Premium Economy and First Class, Lufthansa’s Group turned to long-time collaborator, London-based design agency PriestmanGoode
As Daniel MacInnes, Director, PriestmanGoode explains to PAX Tech, the “voice of the customer was key in the Allegris project. Lufthansa listened to customers across the entire project to ensure their needs were captured.”
The customers they turned to were the “Senators” — members of the upper tier of Lufthansa’a Miles and More reward scheme, whose feedback supported the direction of the project. Lufthansa engages regularly with these customers and they
Lufthansa’s Allegris is redefining the longhaul travel experience, with the help of longtime collaborators, such as PriestmanGoode
were invited to the preview of the suite in March of this year.
Allegris was the agency’s 25th project for the Lufthansa Group, which has included previous projects such as the A380 interior including seats, monuments and cabins, for all classes in 2010.
Importantly, there has been continuity in the studio team working for Lufthansa Group across the years, a valuable quality when approaching any project of such magnitude. “Having a clear understanding of the target experience and defining key principles are vital for the success of a project of this scale,” says MacInnes.
To this end, at the beginning of the Allegris program, Lufthansa’s design team provided PriestmanGoode with an image of a high-end interior that summed up the desired outcome — one of a warm interior, with high-quality materials and finishings plus comfortable and iconic furniture etc. — the ultimate home interior.
In the early stages of any project, PriestmanGoode’s design team spends a lot of time reviewing trends and often there’s an image that helps explain the client’s requirements. MacInnes say this became an important reference point, one all involved described as “more like home than an aircraft.”
“For the First Class Plus suites in particular, we pledged ‘no aviation parts’ so the cabin was the equivalent of an
interior setting that the passenger might enjoy at home or in a high specification vehicle,” he says. This means, for example, there are no overhead lockers or traditional air vents, and the window blinds are electronically controlled.
A team of five designers at PriestmanGoode were dedicated to the Allegris program and worked together with the Lufthansa team for a year.
During that time the brand team at Lufthansa launched a new brand identity for the Allegris cabin that sought out highquality, meticulous workmanship, premium details, authentic and high-quality materiality and situational design. These elements provided context for the Colour, Materials, Finish (CMF) team, but they also described the intended experience which was about making people’s lives easier and better.
“Our team sought premium materials with a consistency in colour across each of the cabins but with variation in detailing, texture and other tactile contrasts that varied by cabin,” says MacInnes. As the agency explains further, the result is a stylistically confident use of all design elements and balanced colour compositions that complement each other atmospherically, tone-in-tone or through contrasts in colour quality or colour temperature.
When it enters service in 2024, Lufthansa’s Allegris will bring a First Class cabin to an A350 fleet for the first time. In achieving this, the project members faced a number of challenges. The design team found ways to achieve A350 certification for the
high walls of the suite and the soft panel close-outs which are essential for privacy and acoustic properties, as well as the double occupancy of First Class Plus Suite with single access — a first on any aircraft type. Due to safety regulations, the walls of the suites do not run all the way from floor to ceiling, but they are much taller than other products, to ensure total privacy.
First Class Suite Plus is a single, separate central suite cabin, that offers a separate double cabin with ceiling-high walls and an entirely closable door, large table and two wide seats that can be combined into a comfortable double bed if required.
“This project aimed to deliver outcomes never seen before,” MacInnes states.
One challenge met was the translating ottoman that not only provides storage, but also offers a true double dining experience with comfort for both diners. The ottoman sits directly under the 4K video screen facing the passenger and has its own seatbelt (to double as a second seat). It also tracks forward.
Rounds of prototyping and testing continued throughout the lockdowns in 2020 and 2021. During this time, the project team benefitted from the latest technologies in CGI and Visualisation with the agency’s in-house team creating VR assets to help decision making at board level and numerous workshops.
“For the First Class Suites, everything was designed and sourced uniquely for Lufthansa,” MacInnes says. “Nothing was adapted from existing cabin interiors elsewhere.”
The First Class suites launched in Berlin on February 28. When asked to identify some of the standout features from the Suite, MacInnes responds, “There are so many! From the
room feel of the space, the double bed width in the Suite Plus, the bespoke lamp and lighting. One of my personal favourites is the customized seat comfort, all controlled by the passenger with heating, cooling and shoulder sink all cleverly concealed within the seat [one metre wide]. The kinematics are exceptional with recline positions that are the best I’ve ever tested.”
Passengers will also be able to connect their personal devices to the large, 43-inch, 4K-quality monitor, with wireless charging and the best sound thanks to wireless, noisecancelling headphones.
As Jens Ritter, CEO Lufthansa Airlines explained at the launch of the First Class Plus Suite, “The Allegris range promises individuality, exclusivity, and premium service along the entire travel chain.”
The First Class, which up to 3.7 m² are among the largest in the world, will be introduced in 2024.
In addition to the three First Class suites on the A350, the seat configuration includes 38 seats including eight suites in Business Class, 24 seats in Premium Class and 201 seats including 22 seats with more legroom in Economy Class.
According to Lufthansa, passengers will be able to request a gourmet meal at a time of their preference, although further details of the service have not been announced.
Describing the Allegris product, Ritter exclaimed that “Every guest has their own understanding of premium, which is why we focus on maximum individuality and exclusivity.”
"The great thing about FTE Global for our team is the ability to understand what others are doing and get great new ideas. It really helps get that creative engine firing."
Scott
ACRO: ACRO will exhibit its new Series 9, a next-generation Economy Class seat, shortlisted for the Crystal Cabin Awards 2023. Designed for single and twin-aisle aircraft, it provides exceptional living space, enhanced comfort, and low weight, making it a commercially advantageous choice for airlines. Booth: 5D10 www.acro.aero/
ABC International: ABC International will feature, alongside a range of products and services for cabin interiors, its latest innovative product — a new and unique life vest rigid box that meets the TSA, FFA and Boeing requirements for prime seat OEMs in Europe and USA. These boxes will be manufactured and supplied by ABC International for important line-fit seating projects. Booth: 6A79 www.abc-int.it
AD Aerospace: AD Aerospace is set to unveil its cutting-edge IP/Digital 4K Aerospace Camera with impressive features, such as 4K resolution and 60 frames per second. It can be powered by either 28VDC or Power over Ethernet (PoE), reducing wiring requirements. The 4K camera also comes equipped with a variety of wide-angle lenses and integrated server capability, eliminating the need for a separate server and resulting in up to 2kg weight reduction for the aircraft. Booth: 4B38 www.ad-aero.com/
Aviointeriors: Aviointeriors will exhibit new seating products such as: many comfort features for its premium seat Synthesys EVO, a 13,3” widescreen for its economy seat MYA, its redesigned widebody business staggered seat ALLEGRA to enhance significantly the experience of long-range travellers, its new HERIC seat and, for the first time ever, its brand-new seat designed for e-VTOL aircraft. Booth: 5A30 www.aviointeriors.it/
AIRFREE: Airfree’s new e-Menu solution with Singapore Airlines allows passengers to browse inflight food and beverage options directly from their seatback entertainment screens, thanks to the company’s dynamic content technology. Booth: 3C30I www.airfree.aero/
Boxmark Leather: Austrian leather expert Boxmark introduces the sustainable leather collection, X-Loop. The collection, presented for the first time, is free from harmful chemicals like chrome or glutaraldehyde, and the tanning process uses only organic-based, synthetic tanning agents. Booth: 7A73 www.boxmark.com
FU-CHI Innovation Technology: Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2023, FU-CHI Innovation will exhibit a range of aviation interior materials and related services, such as textiles for seat covers and curtains, different kinds of synthetic leathers and cut and sew services. Booth: 7A35 www.fuchitex. com/en/index.php
IFPL Group, Cobalt Aerospace: Cobalt Aerospace will debut their newly released in-seat power system which can be tailored to meet the specific needs of any airline. The system offers a range of options, from individual USB outlets to a fully certified retrofit in-seat power package. Cobalt’s team of experts supplies all the necessary components, including power supply, breakout boxes, cabling, and outlets from the awardwinning IFEC product designers, IFPL. Booth: 4B20 www.ifplgroup.com/
Gruppo Mastrotto Spa: Italian leather producer
Gruppo Mastrotto will feature, among their extensive product line, its Mercury 99.9, a soft nappa leather in 36 colours with patented antibacterial and antiviral properties. All colors are Carbon Neutral like all 1,500 products always in stock, in prompt delivery with Gruppo Mastrotto Express. Booth: 6A12 www.mastrotto.com/
The Gill Corporation: The Gill Corporation will feature the Gillfab® 4122S, a low smoke and toxicity sandwich panel made from glass-reinforced phenolic facings bonded to a meta-aramid honeycomb core, available in multiple panel thicknesses with FAA-approved allowable data. Developed in collaboration with Structural Integrity Engineering, it has been selected for narrow-body freighter conversion programs for its lightweight and high-performance characteristics. Booth: 6A50 www.thegillcorp.com
Lufthansa Technik AG: Lufthansa Technik will feature innovative cabin modification solutions, connectivity options, graphic designs, GuideU technology, and AeroSHARK coatings. Booth: 6B80 www.lufthansa-technik.com/
International Water-Guard Industries (IWG): IWG introduces Healthy Lav, a touchless collection with disinfection technology for airlines and business jet lavatories. The product includes a touchless faucet and flush, a Lavatory HE water heater, and a compact LED UV water disinfection unit. IWG plans to expand the collection to include a touchless soap dispenser and trash can lid. Booth: 6D131 www.water.aero/
SEKISUI KYDEX: SEKISUI KYDEX will showcase an array of design-centric, sustainable KYDEX® Thermoplastic material solutions. Debuting at the show will be KYDEX® FST-CLR, the only fully compliant transparent thermoplastic sheet available for aviation interiors.
Booth: 5D40 www.kydex.com/
Mankiewicz Gebr & Co: Global Coatings Manufacturer Mankiewicz will exhibit its latest products designed for lightweight materials like rigid foams at AIX. PrimeFill, a filler and primer in one, can transform uneven substrates into smooth surfaces while meeting all technical requirements with minimal weight. The product offers endless customization options, allowing airlines to achieve their desired finish without constraints.
Booth: 7E40 www.mankiewicz.com/
MGR Foamtex: MGR Foamtex Ltd is set to showcase their sustainable and lightweight MGRSoftWall® NextGen at AIX 2023, which offers the same comfort as their previous product but at half the weight. They’ll also be introducingMGRSoftWall® Eco, a new addition to their range that combines soft touch with added acoustic benefits. Booth: 7B41 www.mgrfoamtex.com/
Muirhead: Muirhead will unveil their CareGuard™, an innovative leather product designed to prevent dye transfer and dirt build-up while providing superior protection against staining. Alongside CareGuard™, the company will also showcase its ActiveHygiene and LightCore™ products, delivering high-quality hygiene and lightweight leather for aviation interiors. These products offer reduced maintenance, faster turnaround times, and prolonged service life. Booth: 6E95 www.muirhead.co.uk/en/
OneWeb: In March, Oneweb’s Low Earth Orbit satellite constellation reached 618 satellites, paving the way for its truly global connectivity service to showcase at AIX. With over 1.1 terabytes per second usable capacity and next-gen antennae, OneWeb’s hybrid ecosystem promises airlines and passengers unprecedented capabilities. Booth: 4C32 www.oneweb.world/
Recaro Aircraft Seating: Recaro Aircraft Seating will feature its award-winning CL3810 seat which elevates economy class comfort with custom-shaped cushions, a six-way adjustable headrest and seat bottom, all designed by ergonomic experts. Its lightweight structure and modular design reduce maintenance and promote sustainability on both narrow and widebody aircraft for mid- to long-haul flights.
Booth: 7B20 www.recaro-as.com/
SCHOTT AG: SCHOTT’s Opal Leather reading light, in partnership with PriestmanGoode, blends natural leather with passenger-friendly functionality. It can integrate with any seat design and match any seat material or colour. The covered ON/OFF dimple and optional orientation light make it a sleek and practical addition to any cabin. Booth: 7C11 www.schott.com/aviation-lighting
SkyFive AG: SkyFive will exhibit their Air-to-Ground solution which provides a cost-effective inflight internet experience using a compact belly antenna. Their booth will also feature a discussion with airline representatives and tech experts about inflight connectivity during the BoardBand Aviation Forum.
Booth: 2C10 www.skyfive.world/
ThinKom: ThinKom will unveil ThinAir Plus, a new hybrid antenna system, at AIX 2023. Combining its VICTS phased array with a small LEO-only electronically steered antenna panel, the system offers low-latency connection options, while maintaining the reliability of its established VICTS technology. Booth: 4E41 www.thinkom.com/
Thompson Aero Seating: Thompson Aero Seating will showcase brand-new aircraft seating designs, with updates and new features to existing products. All share cutting-edge technology and maximize comfort and luxury within minimal space. CCO Andy Morris said featured products, for both single- and twin-aisle aircraft, play within a variety of space limitations. Booth: 7A02 www.thompsonaero.com/
Unum: Unum Aircraft Seating’s latest product, Unum Two, will debut at AIX. The seat will include the company’s patented Scimitar mechanism, the “comfort hero” feature in all Unum products. The unique kinematic of the seat offers infinite adjustability, lumbar support when you need it and a well-supported Zero Gravity position. Booth: 7A20 www.unum.aero/
Wencor: With more than six decades in the aftermarket aerospace industry, Wencor combines engineering expertise, component repair, and authorized distribution services to reduce maintenance costs, improve reliability, and enhance availability. Booth: 5D61 www.wencor.com/
Wollsdorf Leather: The Wollsdorf Leather Group’s sustainable tanning method, BrighTan, uses natural raw materials and avoids heavy metals, chrome, and glutaraldehyde. It produces virtually white leather and vibrant colours with improved lightfastness and heat resistance. With over 30 years of experience, the Austrian-based company serves customers worldwide through its subsidiaries in Europe, America, and Asia. Booth: 6A99 www.wollsdorf.com/
Coming back amidst a record year for the aviation industry, the eagerly-awaited Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) is set to return from June 6 to 8, in Hamburg. The aviation industry is expected to experience a record year, as more than 4.2 billion passengers are predicted to take to the skies over the next 12 months — and AIX is ready to prepare all industry professionals seeking innovative solutions to shape the future of passenger experience. The event is regarded as the leading marketplace for the aircraft interiors supply chain and will host 70 top airlines and major OEMs such as Airbus and Boeing.
“Aircraft Interiors Expo 2023 plays a vital role in providing a centralized marketplace for the entire interiors supply chain to come together, not only driving the industry’s progress but aiding in its recovery,” AIX Event Director, Polly Magraw said.
Over 1,000 products will be on display from leading global airline and cabin interior suppliers. The event will feature seating specialists Safran, RECARO Aircraft Seating, JAMCO Corporation, and HAECO Cabin Solutions. The event will also feature inflight entertainment
and connectivity (IFEC) providers Panasonic Avionics, Thales Group, Astronics Corporation and others. Visitors can expect solutions for every aspect of the airline interior environment, including cabin management systems, seating, flooring solutions, galley equipment, IFEC, interior paints and coverings, lighting, lavatory and waste equipment, seating, and more. Innovations that will be showcased during this year’s event include ST Engineering’s world-first expandable lavatory designed for passengers with reduced mobility. The ACCESS Lavatory fulfills the U.S. Department of Transportation’s proposed guidance on accessible lavatories, pushing the boundaries of innovation with improved accessibility and comfort. Wencor will display the Adams Rite Touchfree Wasteflap, which includes proprietary sensor technology for Touchfree waste disposal, while Aviation Glass & Technology BV will demonstrate its Aeroglass Interactive Mirrors; cutting-edge technology mirrors that become an integrated on-board communication platform, used to display images, signs, and videos. First-time exhibitors Aeras Aircraft Seating, Lamberts London Limited, SkyFive AG,
and Smiths MRO will showcase a host of innovative solutions for airline buyers.
The Passenger Experience Conference (PEC), which brings together experts and visionaries from airlines, airframers, OEMs, suppliers, and design organizations to discuss the future of travel, onboard environments, and services, returns on June 5 to Congress Center Hamburg.
IFEC will continue to be a clear differentiator for airlines due to the increasing digital dependency of passengers. Against this backdrop, the highly popular IFEC Zone returns, providing attendees with access to experts, products, and services in this space.
“Our comprehensive program of exclusive and insightful talks is complemented by many opportunities to network with the best of the industry, making AIX the ideal platform for building relationships, identifying new solutions and successfully planning for future trends,” Magraw said.
As a proud Media Partner for the event, PAX Tech will be in attendance and distributing editions of the AIX issue during the show.
This year’s AIX will host over 70 top airlines including Emirates, Japan Airways and morePolly Magraw, Event Director, AIX
As the World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo (WTCE) prepares to take over Hamburg, Germany, visitors have the opportunity to explore all the city has to offer. From the best shopping destinations to top business hotspots, Hamburg is a city filled with hidden gems waiting to be discovered
A 2012 wooden hotel built in a neighbourhood that showcases developments in sustainable and ecological architecture.
Visitors can find designer and vintage fashion and meet the in-crowd at the hip cafés along Marktstrasse — only a short walk from Schanzenviertel.
Every summer night, the Planten un Blomen lake lights up in magical colours accompanied by classical music. Perfect for a picnic!
Just a short stroll from the city, Planten un Blomen park is the place to relax under Mediterranean fig trees or at the Japanese teahouse.
International orchestras, choirs and solo artists from Hamburg and beyond join forces in this annual classical music festival.
A small restaurant that started to serve dockworkers in the 1920s. Built near the River Elbe, soil has been washed away by flooding, resulting in a forward tilt of the entire building.
A 610-meter-long tunnel beneath the Elbe River, opened in 1911. The tunnel is open 24/7 for pedestrians.
We master the elements. We develop designs. But only when imagination has fully spread its wings have we achieved the cruising altitude of our minds. If you can IMAGINE it, we can make it real.
