Full details of the 2026 Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) are available ahead of the trade show’s 25th edition from April 14–16 at Hamburg Messe in Hamburg, Germany. A celebratory evening on April 13 will mark 25 editions of the show.
Since its inaugural edition in 2000, AIX has played a key role in the evolution of aircraft cabins to today’s highly engineered environments shaped by sustainability targets, advanced materials, fast connectivity and holistic passenger wellbeing.
The 2026 edition will offer an opportunity to reflect on that cabin evolution while focusing on what come next: innovations redefining efficiency, accessibility, premium travel and the connected passenger experience.
Show floor innovations
Nearly 500 companies are set to exhibit in 2026. That includes 74 first-time exhibitors. The new BizJet Zone will have 14 exhibitors and the in the IFEC Zone 77.
Twelve exhibitors have been attending for over 20 years, including Belgraver B.V, Botany Weaving Mill and Lantal Textiles AG.
Innovations being showcased this year include Airchair’s expanded wheelchair range, headlined by the Airchair II. That follows a global distribution deal with Satair and WestJet’s order of 22 units for its Boeing 737 fleet.
ThinKom will unveil a new small form factor (SFF) antenna supporting ultra-fast GEO, MEO and LEO operation with reduced weight, lower cost and a smaller footprint.
SES is aiming to standardise how Android devices connect to inflight Wi-Fi through a new partnership with Google.
Panasonic Avionics will demonstrate the progress being made across inflight systems, connectivity, digital solutions and technical services.
In galley equipment, DKA Aerospace will be exhibiting WasteLite, a lighter waste cart designed for easier handling, and ThermalCool, an insulated cart that is 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 at the show.
Enflite will showcase its Modular Refrigerator. The 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 will 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.
SOGECLAIR will unveil three concepts using its new VISTA demonstrator: an enhanced privacy door designed to improve personal space, acoustic comfort and cabin aesthetics; a meal table that includes a single-piece business-class console table and a bifold side-ledge enabling companion dining in front-row mini-suites; and a front row monument mini-suite with a more open and flexible layout.
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. Its new premium leather finishes reflect smarter material choices across the aircraft lifecycle.
Passenger Experience Conference
The Passenger Experience Conference (PEC) will be held on April 13, the day before AIX opens. , It will feature speakers from over 20 airlines – including United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and Saudi Airlines – plus innovators from Panasonic Avionics, Teague and Tangerine. The conference will deliver more than 30 sessions across three focused streams: Digital First; Wellness and Human-Centric Design; and Sustainability and the Eco-Conscious Traveller.
CabinSpace Live
AIX’s dedicated, free-to-attend conference, CabinSpace Live, will have more than 15 sessions across three days. Expert panels, in-depth Q&As and practical case studies will focus on trends and technologies. Sessions will include speakers from APEX, Airbus, Vueling and Thales InFlyt Experience.
Fireside chats will return, offering clear, candid conversations led by senior voices from airlines, manufacturers and industry associations. Informal yet insight-driven, the sessions are designed to make complex topics accessible and engaging, equipping airlines and industry professionals with the insights needed 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 inflight 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 inflight entertainment that meets evolving passenger tastes and regulatory compliance requirements while maximising monetisation opportunities.
Viasat’s Women in Aviation Leaders Luncheon will take place on April 15, bringing together professionals from across the aviation interiors ecosystem for an inclusive and engaging networking opportunity. Open to both 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.
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.”
