The 2025 Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) welcomed more than 13,000 attendees over three days, from April 8-10, in Hamburg, Germany. Representatives from 170 airlines were present at the trade show, which showcased products and services used in cabin interiors.
The show began with major announcements from some of the aircraft interiors industry’s leading players, including Airbus, Collins Aerospace (Collins), Insperial, Panasonic Avionics (Panasonic), Recaro Aircraft Seating (Recaro) and Thales.
Airbus and Panasonic Avionics announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to leverage Converix, Panasonic’s inflight entertainment (IFE) hardware and software server platform, to co-develop Airbus’ future Connected Aircraft platform.
Collins Aerospace strengthened its commitment to accessible air travel by revealing updates to its Prime wheelchair seating solution. The Prime system now features a “custom transformable monument” that transitions between a passenger amenity station for electric wheelchair users and a crew service area.
Viasat unveiled Viasat Amara, which promises to provide scalability that will enable airlines to differentiate and future-proof their onboard passenger experience. Innovations in core satellite network design, hardware advancements and digital products powering the new IFEC solution.
Innovation at AIX
Diehl Aviation showcased advancements in lavatory design. They included new lighting scenarios for visually impaired travellers, employing contrast and highlighted signage to aid in locating components such as the tap and soap dispenser. The lavatory incorporates braille characters and a synthetic voice system that identifies features like the flush button.
The ‘twinning lavatory’ concept allows cabin crew to fold away the partition between two lavatories, creating space for a passenger and their wheelchair.
Chris Hulbert, Cabin Performance Technical Team Leader at British Airways, said: “What’s great is that you get to meet smaller companies we haven’t heard much about, and there are real gems in there. You’d never find them just from emails. The beauty of it all being under one roof is you can block out three days and tick off a lot.”
Shoaib Ahmed, Technical Procurement Manager at Riyadh Air, attended AIX seeking products for its newly ordered aircraft. “The show has been very insightful, especially in meeting IFE providers, and I was very impressed with the R&D on display this year,” he commented.
AIX’s two-day CabinSpace Live programme featured panel discussions covering passenger experience, IFE, sustainability, connectivity and cabin interiors.
Passenger Experience Conference
Before AIX got underway, the Passenger Experience Conference (PEC) took place on April 7, with a full day of speaker sessions and panels discussing the future of passenger experience innovation and solutions.
The 2025 PEC covered three main areas: collaboration initiatives, engagement initiatives and transformation initiatives.
Archana Dharni, Event Director of AIX, said: “The quality of conversations, from business meetings to informational seminars, has been outstanding this year. We’ve welcomed familiar faces, alongside newcomers and seen many unveilings and product launches. All in all, it has reminded us that AIX is the place to be for the aircraft interiors industry. We look forward to next year, seeing what’s in store for the next generation of aircraft interiors.”
The 2026 Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) will be held at the Hamburg Messe from April 14-16.
