Passenger experience professionals from around the world will have the chance to meet with 300 exhibitors, including over 30 new brands, at the World Travel Catering and Onboard Services Expo this week.
The show, which is now open until 16, is introducing a number of new innovations this year designed to help shape the future of the onboard experience.
Pouring in
Due to high demand for beverages in recent years, a dedicated Drinks Zone in Hall A4 has been introduced to bring together brands looking to make a splash in the onboard space.
Visitors to the new zone can enjoy twice-daily happy hours and immersive tasting experiences that spotlight the latest trends, flavours and formats.
Brands on display include Amrut Distilleries P Ltd and Piccadily Distillery, both Indian companies specialising in single malt whiskies, and GEMELLii Drinks, showcasing its Italian-crafted ready-to-drink low-alcohol mocktails and mixers made with natural botanicals and agave
Meanwhile, female-founded and experience-led Mexican company, Pimentae, will be looking to wow visitors with its bar-quality, ready-to-serve Margarita cocktails.
Pick ‘n’ mix
In the popular Discover Zone, also in Hall A4, visitors can explore displays of 40-plus “onboard ready” products in one place.
New for 2026, holders of a VIP Buyer badge can create their own bag of customised samples. They simply need to browse the display of products, scan the QR codes of the ones they’re interested in, and collect their finished bag in the VIP Bag Collection Point.
Back with a bang
An expanded show floor for 2026 will include a third hall, Hall A2, dedicated to gategroup and its onboard brands.
The catering giant, which celebrates its 95th anniversary this year, will be filling the entire extra hall to share its expertise and insights on airline catering, technology and the evolving hospitality experience.
Its chefs will be preparing daily menus built around a defining culinary trend and served at the Chef’s Table within a “high-end restaurant experience”.
Tuesday, for example, will explore the way people eat today, mixing influences and moving “comfortably” between cuisines, with bold flavour and “smart surprises”.
Thursday’s menus will focus on cooking with intent and making choices that are better for the kitchen and the plant, using techniques such as pickling and fermenting for deeper flavour and ways to use ingredients end-to-end to reduce waste.
Meanwhile, visitors can meet with the teams behind the gategroup production system to learn how they improve flow, reduce friction and build consistency. They can also see how data is being used to sharpen menus and improve performance.
First timers
As always, the New Exibitor Village will allow visitors to browse new brands all in one place, next to the Taste of Travel Theatre in Hall 1.
These new exhibitors will demonstrate how suppliers are adapting to changing traveller demands, from health-focused offerings to sustainable production.
Behind the scenes
The organisers of WTCE have this year introduced The Journey Circle, an advisory network of senior airline and hospitality professionals.
These experts are advising on content themes, innovation areas and partnership opportunities to ensure the show reflects the evolving needs and realities of the inflight services industry.
Founding members of The Journey Circle include Simone Walli, Catering Manager, Culinary Art and F&B Onboard Concepts at Austrian Airlines; Samson Arega, Group VP Customer Experience at Ethiopian Airlines; Tobias Ögren, Head of Inflight Product and Catering at Sunclass Airlines; and Louise Leaupepe, Inflight Experience Senior Manager, Commercial at Riyadh Air.
Speaking out
The Taste of Travel Theatre has returned with three days of expert insight, discussion and live demonstrations exploring the future of onboard hospitality.
Across the programme, airline leaders, suppliers, designers and innovators will share perspectives on topics ranging from AI and sustainability to cabin innovation, airline retail and the changing expectations of passengers. The theatre also features interactive tastings, industry workshops and networking opportunities.
Onboard Hospitality has been a proud partner in delivering this programme, in collaboration with former editor, Jo Austin.
Celebrate excellence
On Tuesday at 5pm, the industry’s movers and shakers will meet at the Taste of Travel Theatre to find out the winners of the 2026 Onboard Hospitality Awards and the Cabin Concept of the Year. Join us to celebrate.
worldtravelcateringexpo.com
