The Taste of Travel Theatre returns to the World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo (WTCE) in Hamburg in April 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.
Day 1 – Tuesday, April 14
10:30 – Welcome Back
Jo Austin, Moderator of the Taste of Travel Theatre, welcomes visitors back to Hamburg and outlines the programme highlights.
10:40 – 11:05 – What Not to Miss at the Show
Introduction by Shona Thomson, RX Global.
Our WTCE Ambassadors have walked the halls and will share the key trends they are seeing across the show floor. Each ambassador will highlight an exhibitor they believe visitors should not miss.
Speakers
- Melissa Adamski – Nutted Out Nutrition
- Matt Crane – Aviation Sustainability Forum (Founding Member)
- Kai Kosicki – The Hayward Partnership
- Julianne Ponan MBE – Owner and CEO, Creative Nature
- Kelly Stevenson – Jetvine
Enjoy coffee and pastries with the compliments of our sponsor En Route.
11:15 – 12:00 – How AI Can Help Us Understand What Passengers Want
This session explores how AI and data analytics can help airlines and caterers better understand their customers – identifying which trends resonate and which do not, based on data analysis and customer research.
The discussion will also examine Gen Z travel and menu preferences, and how AI tools can support optimal loading and menu design to reduce cabin waste. Insights will include findings from in-depth research conducted with marketing students at Oxford Brookes University.
Moderator
Vimal Kumar Rai – Managing Partner, Commercial Excellence
Panellists
- Kai Kosicki – Retail Tech Ambassador, The Hayward Partnership
- Laura Gambell – Marketing Director, Omnevo
- Mike Pooley – Visiting Industrial Fellow, Oxford Brookes Business School; Partner, The Hayward Partnership
- Sarah Rogers MBA FHEA – Lecturer in Marketing and Digital Marketing Analytics, Oxford Brookes Business School
12:20 – 12:50 – Taste the World with En Route
Let En Route’s NPD team tempt your taste buds with a selection of global favourites while learning more about the research and insights that brought them to the table.
13:00 – 14:00 – A Focus on Asia – Is Asia Now the Trendsetter for Passenger Service?
Asia’s aviation industry is among the fastest-growing regions in the world. The phenomenal expansion of low-cost and ultra-low-cost airlines, combined with accelerating international growth, is transforming the aviation landscape.
Leading voices from the aviation and onboard sectors will share their perspectives on what is driving this success and what they see shaping the region’s future.
Moderator
Jeremy Clark – JC Consulting
Panellists
- Jon Harwood – Vice President Retail, dnata
- David Helm – Director Asia-Pacific, En Route
- Puneet Arora – Chief Executive Officer, SATS Food Solutions (India)
- Mirko Brenzinger – Service Manager, Catering Planning, Riyadh Air
14:15 – 15:00 – INK – Collaboration, Insights and Innovation in Global Airline Retail
One year after its launch, the founders of INK (The Inflight Network of Knowledge – for airlines, by airlines) share the motivation behind the initiative, emerging insights and the planned evolution of their concept of global airline retail collaboration.
Moderator
Lance Hayward – The Hayward Partnership
Panellists
- Laura Heijmann – Transavia
- Michelle Philpot – easyJet
- Ilze Silina – Norwegian
- Duncan de Boer – Foodcase
15:15 – 16:00 – Sustainability as an Operating Requirement – Rethinking International Catering Waste
Sustainability is no longer simply a corporate initiative – it is now an operational requirement tied directly to efficiency, cost control, compliance and brand credibility.
IFSA, in collaboration with ACA, ASF and IATA, is advancing a smarter, science-based and risk-aligned approach to International Catering Waste (ICW) – one that recognises the controlled “closed-circle” environment of the onboard catering supply chain and its supporting facilities.
Join government affairs leaders, airline operators and catering experts for a forward-looking discussion on transforming waste from a compliance constraint into a strategic sustainability opportunity.
Moderator
Marian Brestovansky – Government Affairs Manager, IFSA
Panellists
- Diana Cawley – CEO, Aviation Sustainability Forum
- Olivia Stoll – Sustainability Manager, Flying Food Group
17:00 – Onboard Hospitality Awards
The winners will be announced. View the 2026 Onboard Hospitality Awards finalists here: onboardhospitality.com/onboard-hospitality-awards-2026-finalists-announced
Day 2 – Wednesday, April 15
10:45 – 11:30 – The Cost of Good Customer Service
Three industry leaders lift the lid on the real cost of delivering outstanding customer service.
This session takes an in-depth look at the customer journey, examining culture, staff empowerment, the customer promise, channel harmony, optimisation and how digital tools and technology support the overall experience.
Moderator
Fernanda Veiga – Chief Relations Officer and Board Member, Kaelis Group
Panellists
- Mel Berry – Chief Customer Officer, Vueling
- Beatriz Guillén – Chief Customer Officer, Iberia
- Suzanne Carberry – Chief Customer Officer, Aer Lingus
11:45 – 12:45 – Dynamic Innovation in the Aircraft Cabin
As passenger expectations evolve and sustainability commitments accelerate, the aircraft cabin has become one of aviation’s most dynamic innovation spaces.
This session explores how new materials, circular design principles and re-imagined development approaches are reshaping the future of cabin products – while meeting the realities of certification, cost, weight and scalability.
Moderator
Anne De Hauw – Founder, IN Air Travel Experience
Speakers
- Samuel Blank – Director of Innovation and Product Strategy, Buzz
- Manoj Pridhanani – Creative Director, Plane Talking
- Vassilios Georgakopoulos – Executive Consultant and Strategist for Transformative Guest Experience in Aviation
- Nathan Sparshott – Founding Partner, Viewport Studio
- Jorge de Luis – Cabin Interiors and CMF Consultant
13:00 – 14:00 – Economy Hungry – Time to Feed the Most Neglected Seat on the Plane
Come and taste inflight meals on the ground.
Nik Loukas of Inflight Feed, together with creative consultant Vassilios Georgakopoulos, will host an interactive display and tasting session exploring inflight meal concepts.
14:15 – 15:00 – Smart Catering
Automation in airline catering is transforming the industry from a traditionally labour-intensive process into a high-tech, data-driven operation designed to improve food safety, reduce waste and manage costs.
This session explores the world of robotic meal assembly, automated storage, AI-powered forecasting and smart logistics in modern airline catering operations.
Moderator
Vimal Kumar Rai – Managing Partner, Commercial Excellence
Speakers
- Paul Bilham – Chief Commercial Officer, Immfly
- Manuel Hubschmann – Chief Solution Advisor, Viktio
- Alexandre Sudron – Director of Catering and Retail, Transavia France
- David Hailey – Countifi
15:15 – 16:00 – Health, Wellness and Nutrition Onboard – Meeting the Changing Eating Habits of Passengers
Wellness in the sky has become a mainstream expectation. As more travellers aim to maintain healthy lifestyles while flying, airlines are introducing nutrient-rich menus, low-calorie and low-sodium options and functional beverages.
Moderator
April Waterston – Editor, Onboard Hospitality
Panel
- Rebecca Neale – Category Development Director, En Route
- Isa Ekstam – Food and Beverage Team, SAS Scandinavian Airlines
- Melissa Adamski – Nutted Out Nutrition
16:15 – 17:00 – What’s Trending in the Wine Cellars of the Skies? A Tutored Wine Tasting
Oliver Dixon, airline wine expert based in Dubai, joins Kelly Stevenson of Jetvine to discuss the value of airline wine lists, current style trends and why vintage still matters.
Join us for a tutored wine tasting and discover a few galley cellar secrets.
Day 3 – Thursday, April 16
11:00 – 13:00 – How to Get Your Product Onboard – An Interactive Workshop
This is your chance to speak directly with a panel of industry experts and mentors ready to help you navigate the inflight sector.
Session leads
- Brett Hooyerink – Marfo
- Nicky Slater – ITW
Industry mentors
- Joe Harvey – Deli Lites
- Julianne Ponan – Creative Nature
Innovation stories
- Dom Pelling – Green Gourmet
- Ashley Meddings – Manna from Heaven
A valuable opportunity for new exhibitors and companies entering the industry to learn from those already succeeding in the sector.
