Aircraft Interiors Expo 2019 (AIX 2019) kicks off next week in Hamburg, Germany. Launched in 2000, the annual expo has become a must-attend event for the industry. The conference and exhibition present a great opportunity to see and hear about the latest industry ideas and innovations in aircraft interiors.
Through customer conversations and attending events such as AIX, we’re constantly tracking the latest trends in our industry, we’ve listed five hot topics to keep an eye out for.
Luxury amenity kits. Amenity kits are nothing new when it comes to the premium travel experience. Increasingly however, airlines are teaming up with luxury brands to deliver designer kits. Whether its Virgin Atlantic partnering with Hershel or Etihad working with French fashion designer Christian Lacroix, airlines are going beyond the physical cabin space to improve in-flight experiences.
Cabin refurbishments. We’ve witnessed an increasing number of airlines looking to give their existing seats a new lease of life through refurbishment using our materials. By reupholstering they’re able to upgrade customer experiences at a fraction of the cost of replacing the entire seat. Cabin refurbishments can not only extend the life of a plane, but improve the flyer experiences too.
The rise of the eco-conscious traveller. The factors that contribute to consumer purchase decisions are evolving across every industry and ours is no exception. When it comes to sustainability, consumer awareness and attitudes are rapidly changing. When Deloitte questioned young luxury shoppers it found that nearly a third considered a brand’s ethical credentials before making a purchase. Added to that, the market for eco-retreats and ‘responsible travel’ is booming. It means a more environmentally-focused strategy doesn’t just benefit the planet – it can have a positive impact on revenues too.
Increased seating. In the ongoing battle to keep air fares low while improving profitability, budget airlines continue to look for new ways to achieve cost efficiencies. Increasing the number of passengers on each flight is an obvious option. The impact of this approach of course is less cabin space for passengers. To counter this, the quality of the space they have has to increase, with the quality of the seating and cladding set to become more important than ever.
