What is Cabin Concept of the Year?
The prestigious Onboard Hospitality Award for the Cabin Concept of the Year recognises excellence in cabin-wide innovation, created by multiple touchpoints. The Cabin Concept of the Year Award is separated into three categories: Full-Service Carrier Cabin Concept of the Year, Low-Cost Carrier Cabin Concept of the Year, Private Jet Cabin Concept of the Year.
Entries must be submitted by January 8 2026.
Why should I enter?
In addition to the chance of winning the prestigious Cabin Concept of the Year title, all entrants in this category receive an extensive marketing package that includes:
- A double-page feature showcasing your Cabin Concept in Onboard Hospitality magazine. This will also be distributed online to corporate travel buyers and bookers through our sister publication, The Business Travel Magazine.
- Your submission featured online at onboardhospitality.com. Live for one year.
- Promotion: Readers will be encouraged to view your submission via regular newsletters, social media posts and promotions in the magazine (Readership: 25,000+ international).
In addition to the entry promotional package, winners will receive:
- Coverage in Onboard Hospitality magazine (March/April/May 2026)
- Featured on our global website onboardhospitality.com (live for at least one year)
- A 2026 Winners logo to promote their success
- Regular promotion in Onboard Hospitality magazine alongside related content over the following year
- Inclusion in the 2026 Winners Special Edition
What is the judging criteria?
To be eligible for a Cabin Concept of the Year Award, the concept must be flying by February 26 2026.
The winner will have implemented a significant onboard project which spans across at least FOUR of the following elements of the passenger experience, the more the better:
- Service/Crew – new training initiative / uniform / livery / branding
- Food – menu / service / delivery style / tableware
- Technology – apps / entertainment / connectivity / logistics / analytics
- Interior design – seat / decor / styling / lighting/ colours
- Comfort – amenity kits / seat fabric / bedding range / wellbeing programmes
- Corporate Social Responsibility elements – waste management / sustainability policy
The judges will be looking for:
- Innovation and excellence onboard
- Details of the thinking/brief behind the concept/project
- Key intentions of the concept – what it aimed to achieve
- How the concept improved the customer experience
- How the concept / thinking was applied to multiple, linked elements in the passenger experience
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What is the cost to enter?
Entries cost £2,250
What is the entry process?
Once registered, applications must provide basic details, such as the airline name, contact details and date of launch. You must then choose at least four of the elements you wish to provide information for. For each element, you must provide a 100- to 300-word description of the passenger touchpoints / innovations included.
The submission also invites answers to the following questions:
- What was the intention of the concept? What was the goal?
- Describe the thinking behind the concept and the brief given to the teams designing and implementing the project.
- How has this concept improved the customer experience?
- How was the concept thinking applied to multiple elements / how do those elements connect?
- Describe how this concept shows innovation and excellence onboard.
- Tell us anything else you feel will help the judges assess your concept favourably and why you believe it should be this year’s winner.
You will also be required to submit a link to images and, if available, a video of your cabin concept.
When are the winners announced?
Winners will be announced at a ceremony at the World Travel Catering and Onboard Expo (WTCE) in Hamburg on Tuesday, April 14 2026 and then online on our global website.
If you would like to find out more information about entering the Cabin Concept of the Year Award in 2026, please contact Craig.McQuinn@onboardhospitality.com
Read our guide to entering the Onboard Hospitality Awards
