AIX 2026 to deliver most ambitious show yet for landmark 25th edition

Aircraft Interiors Expo 2026 lands this April with a new BizJet zone, record airline representation and 25 years of cabin innovation to celebrate

Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) has revealed full details ahead of its landmark 25th edition, taking place from 14–16 April 2026 at Hamburg Messe, Germany.

Marking a quarter-century at the forefront of cabin innovation, the milestone edition promises to be the most ambitious in the show’s history, with brand new features and experiences befitting a landmark anniversary – including a celebratory evening on 13 April to mark 25 editions of the show.

Since its launch in 2000, AIX has charted the remarkable evolution of the aircraft cabin – from the rise of lie-flat seating, enhanced inflight entertainment and brand-driven interior design, to today’s highly engineered environments shaped by sustainability targets, advanced materials, seamless connectivity and holistic passenger wellbeing. The 2026 edition will offer exhibitors and attendees a unique opportunity to reflect on how dramatically the cabin has evolved over the past quarter century, while keeping the focus firmly on what’s next: the innovations redefining efficiency, accessibility, premium travel and the connected passenger experience of tomorrow.

Innovations landing on the show floor

This year, nearly 500 companies are set to exhibit — including 74 first-time exhibitors, 14 in the new BizJet Zone, and 77 in the IFEC Zone.

The 25th edition will also welcome some true show veterans. 12 exhibitors have been attending for over 20 years, among them names such as B/E Aerospace, Belgraver B.V, Botany Weaving Mill, and Lantal Textiles AG, joined by the likes of Percival Aviation Ltd, Rohi Stoffe GmbH, Tex Tech Industries, CELSO, Enflite, Panasonic, SCHOTT, and Isovolta.

Among the innovations on this year’s show floor, Airchair will present its expanded wheelchair range, headlined by the Airchair II, following a global distribution deal with Satair, and WestJet’s order of 22 units for its Boeing 737 fleet.

In connectivity, ThinKom will unveil a new small form factor antenna supporting ultra-fast GEO, MEO and LEO operation, engineered with reduced weight, lower cost and a smaller footprint. SES will be showcasing how it’s aiming to make inflight connectivity easier by standardising how Android devices connect to inflight Wi-Fi through a new partnership with Google. Panasonic Avionics is set to demonstrate the progress being made across in-flight systems, connectivity, digital solutions and technical services.

On the galley equipment side, DKA Aerospace makes its debut with WasteLite, a lighter waste cart designed for easier handling, and ThermalCool, an insulated cart capable of keeping food below 7°C for 24 hours. A third product, addressing what the company describes as “an issue airlines have been asking to solve for years,” will be revealed exclusively at the show. Enflite will be showcasing its Modular Refrigerator. This advanced galley appliance separates the compressor-based cooling module, storage module, and door panel, allowing each component to be routed to the appropriate teams for fit and finish. The result is improved material flow and a more streamlined aircraft completion process.

In cabin lighting, SCHOTT and F/LIST introduce SCHOTT® Opal Terra, a new premium reading light line incorporating natural materials such as wood and stone. SCHOTT will also debut SCHOTT® SeatSpot, a projector-based solution integrated into business-class seat shells that projects seat numbers, logos or messages to streamline boarding and enhance the passenger experience. Further, SCHOTT and jetlite are advancing their partnership to deliver a new generation of chronobiology-based cabin lighting for next-generation aircraft interiors.

SOGECLAIR will unveil three concepts at AIX 2026 using its brand-new VISTA demonstrator. An enhanced Privacy Door aiming to elevate personal space, acoustic comfort and cabin aesthetics. A Meal Table including a single-piece business-class console table and a bifold sideledge version enabling companion dining in front-row minisuites. As well as introducing a more open and flexible layout that maximises space and elevates the traditional front-row experience, with the Front Row Monument Minisuite.

On the sustainability front, Gen Phoenix has partnered with Boeing, Teague, Elevate Aircraft Seating, Aerofoam and Müller Textil Group to launch the CirculAir Guide  – a practical resource embedding circularity into seat design from the outset. The company will also unveil new premium leather finishes reflecting smarter material choices across the aircraft lifecycle.

Many more companies are expected to reveal brand new products and solutions exclusively at the show.

Top airlines and innovators talk passenger experience

The Passenger Experience Conference (PEC) returns on 13 April, the day before AIX opens its doors, and this year’s edition is set to be even bolder than previous years. With speakers from a record 20+ airlines, including United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Saudi Airlines and Fiji Airways, alongside innovators from Panasonic Avionics, Teague and Tangerine, the one-day conference will deliver over 30 sessions across three focused streams: Digital First, Wellness & Human-Centric Design, and Sustainability & the Eco-Conscious Traveller.

The day will close with a networking reception open to all delegates, marking the 25^th edition of the show, and rounding off an unmissable day of big-picture thinking ahead of the show floor opening.

Insight on industry horizons

Providing vital context for what’s on display – not just what’s new but why it matters – CabinSpace Live, the show’s dedicated conference programme, free to attend for AIX visitors, will run over 15 sessions across three days of the exhibition. Expert panels, in-depth Q&As and practical case studies will shine a light on the trends and technologies. Sessions will feature speakers from APEX, Airbus, Vueling, Thales InFlyt Experience, and many more.

Fireside chats will return for 2026, offering clear, candid conversations led by senior voices from airlines, manufacturers and industry associations. Informal yet insight-driven, these sessions are designed to make complex topics accessible and engaging, while equipping airlines and industry professionals the insights they need to make informed decisions around passenger experience improvements, product development and service delivery.

The programme will open with a session on antennas and satellites and the next leap in in-flight coverage, before exploring how airlines can better link pre-, in- and post-flight touchpoints through smarter use of data and personalisation. Sessions will also examine how airlines can deliver diverse in-flight entertainment that meets evolving passenger tastes and regulatory compliance requirements while maximising monetisation opportunities.

Further topics include improving cabin comfort through seating, materials, lighting and air quality; advancing inclusive design; and how evolving passenger expectations and sustainability goals will shape the cabin of 2030 and beyond. Commercial aviation will also be in focus, alongside a session offering practical insights for aviation start-ups. Delegates can also look forward to discussions on rethinking comfort on long-haul flights, the future of regional flying in North America, and the much-anticipated unveiling of this year’s Crystal Cabin Award winners.

Speakers in the programme will include Marc Landgraf, Partner at Porsche Consulting GmbH; Paul Edwards, Head of Advanced Design at Airbus; Nils Stoll, Owner and CEO of Green Mobility Interior; Tammo Bahns, Accessibility and Inclusive Design Expert at Diehl Aviation; Steven Greenway, CEO of flyadeal; and Arendse Baggesen, Founder and CEO of SMALLrevolution.

CabinSpace Live will see strong industry collaboration across the programme, with Tuesday’s sessions presented by Inflight, while Wednesday welcomes the support of partners including Cirium and Tech Mahindra, who will help bring fresh perspectives and expertise to the stage. Together, these contributors ensure a dynamic mix of insight, discussion and real-world experience across the three days.

Details of additional talks taking place on Thursday 16 April will be announced soon on the AIX website.

Complementing the programme, Viasat’s Women in Aviation Leaders Luncheon will take place on Wednesday 15 April, bringing together professionals from across the aviation interiors ecosystem for an inclusive and engaging networking opportunity. Open to all ages and genders, the session will offer a relaxed setting to connect, share experiences and gain practical insights from peers and industry leaders, alongside a complimentary buffet lunch.

Recognising fresh industry perspective

The Crystal Cabin Awards 2026 will reveal its winners on the evening of 14 April. The shortlist of 24 finalists was selected by an international jury drawn from companies including British Airways, Collins Aerospace, Lufthansa Group, and Safran. The awards will crown winners for eight different categories, including a brand-new Breakthrough Start-ups category, recognising fresh perspectives with the potential to reshape the industry.

Archana Dharni, Event Director, Aircraft Interiors Expo, said: “Twenty-five editions in, and innovation in the aviation interiors sector is accelerating at speed. What AIX uniquely delivers is the entire interiors ecosystem in one place, moving at the pace the industry now demands. This anniversary edition is both a moment to reflect on how far the sector has come since our very first edition, and a critical launchpad for the transformational technologies that will come next. It will be simply unmissable.”

The 25^th edition of Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) will take place at the Hamburg Messe in Hamburg, Germany, from 14–16 April 2026. The event will be co-located with the World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo (WTCE), following the Passenger Experience Conference (PEC) on Monday 13 April.

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