ATW On Location: Aircraft Interiors (AIX) 2026

Several themes dominated the 2026 Aircraft Interiors Expo, among them innovations in cabin design, stronger Wi-Fi offerings and India’s growing influence on the segment.

Caynova is offering seat manufacturers the opportunity to integrate its SkySpa concept for heating, cooling, scenting, neck ventilation and massaging.

Technological development is among the driving forces behind evolving passenger-first cabin design.

Spanish company Neotex was on hand at the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) with a demonstration video showcasing its direct-dyed carpets for airliner cabins.

At AIX, Diehl Aviation is showcasing an improved version of the lav it has been designing for better accessibility, focusing on visual and hearing impairments.

Boeing’s is showcasing cabin sustainability improvement projects at AIX, focusing on smarter use of consumables, material recycling and waste reduction.

At the Aircraft Exteriors Expo, Boeing had on display several concepts for smart use of aircrafts' "third space," from sitting areas to full work area pods.

Panasonic Avionics announced at the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) that Air Canada has begun running its Astrova IFEC system on one of its Airbus A321s.

ZIM Aircraft Seating is showcasing its new The Frame premium economy seat at Aircraft Interiors Expo.

Collins Aerospace announced the first orders for its Helix main cabin seat to three international carriers with a rollout date set for 2027.

Air-to-ground (A2G) connectivity provider SkyFive is expanding coverage outside its European home base.

Airbus and Boeing have been collaborating on common iconography for disabled persons to find their way onboard an aircraft and use the cabin’s features.

Boeing outlined several ways it is working to make cabins more accessible and disabled passengers' lives easier at this year's Aircraft Interiors Expo.

Airbus has identified the first three customers for the Airspace cabin in the A220 narrowbody, with first deliveries planned for later this year.

Amazon Leo has introduced a gigabit-speed antenna that will connect commercial airliners to the huge low-Earth-orbit satellite constellation it is building out.

Chinese manufacturer Jiatai will provide Flyadeal's economy seating for its Airbus A330neos, while Italian firm Geven will provide its premium economy seats.

Panasonic Avionics' connectivity system will enable an aircraft to switch from one low-Earth orbit satellite constellation to another.

Safran Seats has unveiled the Unity Elite business-class seat it is manufacturing for the Boeing 787-9s Riyadh Air.

Panasonic's eXNeo seatback display offers carriers with older in-service aircraft an IFE and connectivity system upgrade comparable to its Astrova platform.

Former flyadeal CEO Steven Greenway said airlines should focus on basic services, not personalization, as most fliers don't really need the latter.

Viasat announced at AIX that it has entered Boeing’s technical evaluation process to assess and qualify its next-generation electronically steered antenna terminal AERA across all current Boeing commercial airplane programs.

Airbus is designing a reconfigurable area that offers a position for a passenger's personal wheelchair and their companion in the economy cabin.

Airbus is moving forward with the development of a “next generation of first-class experience” for the A350-1000.

Air Canada has contracted Collins to provide 14 Aurora business class suites and 168 Meridian+ main cabin seats for each of its incoming Airbus A321XLRs.

Collins' latest seat configuration product aims to help airlines monetize a commonly difficult space and will debut on the Boeing 787-9 and -10.