PAX TECH FTE November 2025

CONNECTIVITY TAKES

To passengers, connectivity is an expectation. To airlines, it’s an opportunity.

Join 60+ airlines and 50+ million monthly passengers maximizing the sky’s potential.

PAX Tech

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CLOSE UP ON CONNECTIVITY

As the industry heads to Singapore for a milestone edition of APEX FTE Asia Expo this month, we are pleased to showcase exhibitors, continue conversations on trending topics and look ahead to 2026 in these pages.

Connectivity is the cornerstone of this issue with the latest episode of PAX Panel, sponsored by Panasonic Avionics, taking a look at next-gen networks. Panelists include experts from Panasonic Avionics, ThinKom, OneWeb and JetBlue.

Also in connectivity, SVP Aviation Mike Moeller explains how Quvia’s digital platforms are measuring connectivity performance to help airlines improve the passenger experience and Viasat’s Don Buchman discusses Viasat’s multi-orbit roadmap.

We also have the latest from Immfly and PXCom as they prepare to exhibit in Singapore, and we catch up with Spafax’s Tracy Cartaxo to learn how the supplier’s IFE client portal, PRISM, was received by airlines at APEX Global EXPO. Plus, a look at Emirates’ accessibility initiatives that are reshaping the inflight entertainment experience for all.

As a media partner for APEX FTE Asia Expo, we look forward to reconnecting with you in Singapore.

Robynne Trueman Business Editor

PAX Tech

ON THE COVER:

A look at how Emirates’ latest IFE updates are improving accessibility for passengers, on page 10

EXHIBITOR

Immfly acquires Data Clarity to deliver datadriven retail and connectivity ecosystem PXCom bridges digital innovation and inflight reality with SkyVerse

PXCom will be showcasing its flagship platform at APEX FTE Asia Expo 2025 in Singapore. SkyVerse is a Wireless IFEC software redefining inflight engagement through design, personalization and seamless connectivity.

By transforming the cabin into a connected digital ecosystem, PXCom enables airlines to enrich entertainment, retail and communication channels—while generating new revenue streams and strengthening passenger loyalty. The company’s solutions integrate easily within existing aircraft systems, ensuring quick deployment and local CAA Compliance.

PXCom aims to demonstrate how SkyVerse turns IFE into a strategic digital asset. The team will connect with airlines, OEMs and connectivity providers to explore opportunities that enhance onboard experiences and deliver measurable ROI.

“One size does not fit all,” PXCom tells PAX Tech. “We begin by understanding each airline’s expectations and constraints, present the possible configurations, and then recommend the exact solution they need.”

Beyond its technology, PXCom brings business opportunities and a network of handpicked partners to generate incremental revenue. One of its major strengths is integration beyond the cabin, turning the inflight digital platform into the third airline digital touchpoint, seamlessly complementing the website and mobile app.

PXCom will showcase SkyVerse

Immfly has reached an agreement to acquire Data Clarity, bringing the two aviation technology companies under one umbrella to develop an integrated retail and connectivity platform.

Together, the companies will deliver a single platform uniting passenger engagement, inflight connectivity and data-driven retail forecasting. The result: reduced waste, increased revenue, streamlined operations and more sustainable passenger journeys.

“This is not just about technology, it is about redefining how airlines connect with passengers and unlock value,” said Jimmy M. von Korff, Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of Immfly. “By uniting our strengths, we are creating a new benchmark for efficiency, revenue growth and loyalty in the skies.”

By combining Immfly’s onboard digital solutions expertise with Data Clarity’s proven leadership in data intelligence, this partnership creates a powerful foundation for the next era of airline retail and connectivity.

Independent, Actionable Intelligence to Move Your IFC Forward

The first AI-powered QoE platform for connected aircraft. Quvia delivers real-time insights into IFC and passenger quality of experience (QoE) to get continuous visibility, boost NPS and elevate digital experiences.

Independent, real-time data for connected aircraft

Simple setup, easily accessible

Low-bandwidth proprietary QoE probe

Bluebox launches Blueview Cloud, cloudhosted IFE service

Bluebox has announced the launch of Blueview Cloud, its latest innovation designed to transform how airlines deliver digital services onboard. Fully optimized for high-bandwidth connectivity solutions, Blueview Cloud hosts the full Blueview software suite on the ground, eliminating the need for onboard hardware while enabling airlines to boost ancillary revenue and enhance passenger satisfaction.

With Blueview Cloud, passengers access an airlinebranded digital portal directly via the aircraft’s connectivity.

For crew, orders are delivered straight to POS devices with seat-specific details, simplifying service and reducing friction. For airlines, Blueview Cloud cuts onboard hardware costs, accelerates rollouts and opens new revenue streams, while delivering measurable improvements in NPS.

“High-bandwidth connectivity changes the game for airlines,” said Kevin Clark, CEO at Bluebox Aviation Systems. “Blueview Cloud makes it possible to harness that connectivity to improve passenger satisfaction and airline profitability, creating better ROI on connectivity investment— without the complexity of additional on wing hardware.”

Bluebox’s “Transition Deployment” model also allows airlines to adopt quickly: fleets can be equipped with Bluebox Wow within weeks, then upgraded to Blueview Cloud when connectivity is available.

JetBlue selects Quvia to power Fly-Fi services

Quvia, the first AI-powered QoE platform for commercial aviation, has been selected by JetBlue to power Fly-Fi services that work seamlessly across satellite networks.

For its next-generation IFC solution launching in 2027, JetBlue will deploy Quvia Grid to manage the in-cabin network. The airline will use Grid to configure and control onboard network settings, monitor access points, troubleshoot issues in real time and maintain consistent performance for passengers, all from a single platform.

With Grid, JetBlue will also be able to manage SLAs more effectively, balance traffic across the aircraft and host the passenger portal within the same system. Partnering with Quvia also provides the option to use Grid for satellite connectivity orchestration. The result is a unified, end-to-end approach to managing and optimizing both the onboard network and QoE, with the flexibility to adapt as the need arises for a future multi-orbit configuration.

Expliseat introduces V PED Holder

Expliseat has introduced the V PED Holder, offering an alternative to traditional inflight entertainment systems. Recognizing the growing need for durable, cost-efficient and sustainable cabin equipment, Expliseat developed a non-plastic, high-resistance solution that integrates entertainment and device charging capabilities.

Crafted primarily from aerospace-grade aluminum, the V PED Holder sets a new standard for reliability and performance in the Economy cabin. Its automatic, spring-loaded retraction system enables smooth, one-handed operation—even in turbulence—ensuring both safety and ease of use. The holder’s universal multi-form design accommodates all types of PEDs, from smartphones to tablets.

Unlike traditional plastic solutions, the V PED Holder is built to endure years of intensive use, withstanding repeated mechanical stress and reducing lifecycle costs for operators. Already integrated into the TiSeat 2V platform, the V PED Holder is flying today on regional jets and turboprops worldwide.

Under the agreement, FTS will deliver developed cabin Wi-Fi hardware and retrofit solutions to support Spring Airlines in advancing its passenger services and expanding its inflight e-commerce operations. The project marks a significant step in the airline’s ongoing digital transformation and service upgrade initiatives. SUPPLIER

FTS Technologies wins Spring Airlines A320 cabin Wi-Fi project

FTS Technologies, a subsidiary of China Aviation Supplies Holding Company (CASC) and supplier of avionics systems and a digital technologies provider for the civil aviation industry, has won the bid for Spring Airlines’ A320 fleet cabin Wi-Fi project.

Cloud helps airlines unlock digital engagement with a flexible, ground-hosted solution designed for the connected cabin.

Clear path to 2030

Under CEO Stephen Greenway, flyadeal charts ambitious growth with fleet expansion and a clear path toward Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030

by JANE HOBSON

In September, Saudi Arabia’s low-cost carrier flyadeal entered its ninth year in service with a sharpened focus on growth, efficiency and alignment with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. Under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Steven Greenway, who took the helm in January 2024, the airline is scaling rapidly to meet the needs of massmarket travelers while positioning itself as a crucial pillar within parent Saudia Group’s broader strategy.

A complement to Saudia’s premium positioning flyadeal was launched in 2017 as a sister airline to full-service national carrier Saudia—both part of Saudia Group— with its inaugural flight between

Jeddah and Riyadh. In just eight years, the carrier has expanded its fleet to 42 A320s, operating scheduled flights to 19 domestic and 14 international destinations across six countries, alongside seasonal international routes and charter services as part of a dynamic growth strategy. The airline’s primary base is Riyadh, with additional key operations in Jeddah and Dammam. International expansion is a central focus for flyadeal, which currently operates 25 percent of its network on international routes. The airline aims to achieve a balanced network of

50 percent domestic and 50 percent international services by 2030.

Differentiating itself from conventional low-cost carriers, flyadeal maintains strong partnerships with travel agents and this year became a member of IATA, further strengthening its industry credentials.

Saudia, meanwhile, is pursuing an increasingly premium strategy with upgraded fleets and enhanced service offerings. That shift has created a market opening for flyadeal in the Middle East, where LCC penetration is quite low, according to Greenway.

“We are really the mass market play for the group,” Greenway tells PAX Tech. “We offer an opportunity for travelers who are seeking more of a cheap and cheerful option.”

This role is particularly important as Saudi Arabia pursues Vision 2030, the government’s transformation program that seeks to diversify the economy, expand tourism and increase connectivity. flyadeal’s low-cost proposition supports inbound travel, domestic mobility and religious pilgrimages at scale.

“It is not one or two customer segments,” Greenway emphasizes. “When you are looking at only one or two hours to get across the Kingdom, most people really do not want the bells and whistles at all. They just want to get from A to B. We have these cost-conscious consumers.”

A fleet built for growth

Central to flyadeal’s expansion is its ambitious fleet plan. The airline is receiving aircraft at a pace of nearly one per month through 2030. Its current orderbook for 51 A320 family aircraft comprises 12 A320neos and

39 A321neos narrow-bodies, the latter bringing additional range, capacity and efficiency, as well as 10 A330900neo wide-bodies, which will open new long-haul markets. These aircraft will begin deliveries from 2027.

At the moment, flyadeal’s baseline is the standard LCC offering: A320, 186 seats, no recline, no IFE. But Greenway highlights extra-large overhead bins as a “passenger-friendly investment” that massively benefits NPS.

The A321s, configured with 240 seats, will reduce unit costs by roughly 20 percent compared to the A320s and expand operational range to destinations in Southeast Asia, Western Europe and the Indian subcontinent.

The forthcoming A330neos will mark flyadeal’s entry into the long-haul, low-cost market. These aircraft will primarily operate with high-density Economy cabins but include a small premium section for passengers willing to pay for extra comfort on longer flights.

Greenway describes the introduction as both an exciting opportunity and a significant operational challenge.

“The A330 really opens up our

network globally, which we are very excited about. It has a huge degree of utility,” he says. Greenway is not shy to point out the other side of the coin.

“Now, that said, what terrifies me is operating a wide-body in the context of an airline that has really only operated narrowbodies. No matter how you cut it, bringing in a widebody operation complicates your operation, and the propensity to lose money on these aircraft is huge.”

Passenger proposition: Efficient and logical

As flyadeal refines its onboard offering and prepares for longer routes, the airline remains firmly aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Its growth strategy—focused on affordability, accessibility, and international reach—positions the low-cost carrier as a key enabler of the Kingdom’s tourism and connectivity goals. By expanding its fleet and network, flyadeal is not only meeting rising passenger demand but also helping to “bring the world to Saudi Arabia and Saudi Arabia to the world,” as envisioned by the Saudia Group.

MAKING IFE ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL

Emirates’ Patrick Brannelly highlights updates to the airline’s IFE offerings to make the inflight experience more accessible for all passengers

by ROBYNNE TRUEMAN

In October, Emirates unveiled a suite of new services and products for people with disabilities at the seventh edition of the AccessAbilities Expo in Dubai World Trade Centre. These updates included new accessibility features for the airline’s inflight entertainment system, ice.

“Over 30 years ago, Emirates was the first airline to introduce TVs at every seat, in every cabin class, on every aircraft, giving access to inflight entertainment. We were also the first airline to introduce Closed Captions (CC) on movies, nearly 20 years ago, and then Audio Description (AD),” explains Patrick Brannelly, SVP Inflight Entertainment & Connectivity, Emirates.

Appealing to all passengers

As part of its commitment to accessibility, Emirates now offers more than 600 movies with CC and, to improve accessibility for passengers with visual impairment, 200 movies with AD. Emirates headphones are also compatible with hearing aids when set to the “T” position.

“Where the CC/AD assets are available for a movie, we take them. As a licensor, we are not free to create them, thus we are dependent upon what is available,” Brannelly explains.

He tells PAX Tech that introducing these accessibility features was not a simple process, as aircraft IFE systems did not follow the same standards as domestic televisions, and none of the inflight content available at the time included audio description or closed captioning assets.

“The response from passengers with hearing or visual

impairment was delight and surprise,” he reveals.

On Emirates A350-900 aircraft, an accessible user interface (UI) on ice has been introduced in partnership with Thales and American Printing House for passengers who are blind or near blind, to ensure all users have an intuitive, high-quality IFE experience.

The UI speaks directly to the passenger with audiocue navigation assistance, guiding them through the airline’s IFE system independently. To navigate through the UI, passengers can use up to 13 swiping and tapping motions, creating a seamless experience for those who are blind or have low vision. Brannelly says Thales collaborated with accessibility experts to design a system that feels intuitive and meets user expectations.

The airline’s IFE selection also aims to help passengers relax and unwind, offering 12 channels of Well-being TV and 31 channels of Happiness and Well-being podcasts and playlists, featuring meditations and calming soundscapes.

Emirates also seeks to ease pre-travel anxiety through its new Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub. Developed over the course of a year, the digital platform provides passengers with the information they need to plan an accessible and inclusive journey. The website features a carefully tested color palette and supports assistive technologies such as screen readers, voice control and keyboard navigation.

Becoming the first Autism Certified Airline

In January, Emirates announced its journey to becoming the world’s first Autism Certified AirlineTM, along with its airport hub (DXB) and Dubai becoming the first Certified Autism DestinationTM in the Eastern hemisphere.

Emirates worked with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) to conduct a comprehensive audit and create a blueprint for serving passengers with accessibility requirements. Emirates is following this road map to put these standards into practice in aviation for the first time.

As part of these improvements, Emirates will be introducing standards and services for passengers with autism and sensory conditions, including sensory guides, designed to support passengers in making informed decisions throughout their journey. These digital guides measure sensory inputs in public areas such as sound levels, lighting and potential sights and smells.

“This has been a huge initiative to make travel seamless for people with autism and sensory sensitivities who can travel on an autism-certified flight, to an autism-certified airport, stay at an autism-certified hotel and enjoy at an autism-certified attraction in the city,” Brannelly affirms.

TRAVEL CATERING & COMFORT SERVICES

NEXT-GEN NETWORKS

In the latest episode of PAX Panel: Nextgen networks, four panelists examine the advantages of LEO satellite connectivity and its impacts on the IFC landscape

by ROBYNNE TRUEMAN

The latest episode of PAX Panel looks at next-gen networks, sponsored by Panasonic Avionics Corporation. The panel of industry experts discuss advantages of LEO satellite connectivity and its impacts on the inflight connectivity landscape. Panelists include John Wade, Vice President of Connectivity, Panasonic Avionics Corporation; Jeff Sare, Chief Commercial Officer – IFC, ThinKom Solutions; Ken McQuillan, IFE&C Operations & Implementation, JetBlue Airways; and Alexander

Polito, Business Development Director Aviation, Eutelsat OneWeb.

Launching into the discussion, Panasonic’s Wade says latency is the main difference passengers will notice with LEO.

“You are no longer waiting for the signal to travel to GEO satellites. Latency is now less than 100 milliseconds instead of 700, delivering a faster, more responsive user experience,” he says.

Eutelsat OneWeb’s Polito agrees, highlighting gaming as an ideal

use-case example. “People who wish to engage in e-sports, or any sort of multiplayer experience online, have got to have low latency and low packet loss. That is exactly what a LEO experience delivers.”

McQuillan at JetBlue Airways says latency is the “game changer” in delivering a consistent passenger experience. “It is going to change the entire game in connectivity, especially for airlines because what used to be a luxury is now a demand. You really cannot fly anymore without having connectivity,” he says, adding, “I do not think there has been a revolution quite like this.”

Cost, capacity, coverage, consistency

The panelists say there are four major considerations that factor into an airlines decision to deliver LEO IFC: cost,

capacity, coverage and consistency.

Wade says that because satellites are traveling over the Earth, there is a completely continuous fabric of coverage from pole to pole. “It gives us the ability to have coverage which has not been viable before,” he explains. “You start getting a very consistent service as opposed to a variable one.”

He points out that while physically much smaller, LEO satellites offer radically increased throughput than anything seen before.

And of course, cost is a major driver. But with more capacity, cost comes down.

“Satellite communications used to be the system of last resort. Now with these modern constellations, they are very comparable–in terms of coverage, cost, capacity and consistency–to what we now experi-

ence terrestrially,” Wade explains.

Nodding in agreement, Polito says, “We do what we can to enable flexible commercial models.”

On the supply side, he explains that the options are increasing scale or efficiency.

“That is where we are really focusing here, near term,” Polito says. “Although there is obviously a long-term scale plan, how do we make the network as efficient as possible to ship that supply to allow for more competitive pricing?”

ThinKom’s Sare says industry collaboration is absolutely critical in order to deliver widespread coverage without compromising on cost or capacity.

“Like everything in aviation, it really takes all of us to get the job done. And the more collaboration we have, the better off the airlines are, and therefore the passengers,” Sare says.

McQuillan notes putting aircraft out of service to change equipment is not cost effective, but he says many of those costs can be mitigated based on the savings for an airline when switching to LEO.

“More airlines will be willing to replace their existing equipment, even mid-contract, because installing the new system is easier and ultimately saves money while delivering a better passenger experience,” he explains.

Looking ahead, Wade predicts the uptake of LEO satellite connectivity on low cost- and ultralow-cost-carriers will put pressure on airlines already delivering IFC via GEO to update offerings to LEO or MEO constellations.

“We are going to see this huge refresh cycle in the industry in terms of making an upgrade from legacy GEO to something different,” Wade speculates, predicting that within the next decade, more than 95 percent of systems will be LEO.

The path forward

But Sare says he does not believe an ideal IFC architecture exists. He predicts that technology and business models will change with the integration of Wi-Fi roaming and how airlines measure ROI.

“There is going to be a future where there is a more consistent and global infrastructure in place that provides that consistency,” Sare concludes.

“Our perspective is LEO first,” Polito reveals. “It is very airline dependent—it depends on what the airline is looking to do, how they want to monetize, what kind of service they want to offer.”

While he says multi-orbit has a place, he feels confident that LEO is going to be the backbone of how OneWeb provides service in the future.

“There is just so much emphasis and investment going into the development of ESAs and LEO satellites. This is really where we are going to see the future,” Wade affirms.

MULTI-ORBIT MEETS GLOBAL DEMAND

When it comes to IFE trends such as inflight streaming and multi-personal electronic device use onboard, Buchman says Viasat Amara is fulfilling demands

How Viasat’s year-on-year growth, partnership extension with JetBlue and next-gen IFC solution is shaping the IFEC landscape by ROBYNNE TRUEMAN

With the launch of ViaSat-3 F2, the second satellite in Viasat’s three-part ViaSat-3 geostationary constellation, Don Buchman, Senior Vice President and GM, Commercial Aviation at Viasat, tells PAX Tech how striving to meet the demand for year-on-year growth since Viasat launched ViaSat-3 F1 two years ago supports the supplier’s roadmap for multi-orbit connectivity.

“There is an insatiable demand for data, ever increasing by 10, 20, 30 percent year-over-year,” Buchman reveals. “For us to keep up, we

have always had this multi-year, multi-decade approach to capacity.”

With ViaSat-3, he says there are no more compromises for the passenger.

“It is keeping up and allowing our customers to deliver free inflight connectivity,” he affirms.

For Buchman, free IFC means more devices on more aircraft for more people. And that each device or user is not limited by bandwidth.

“That is the linchpin for multiorbit,” he says, explaining that with Telesat’s future multi-orbit approach, once there is enough capacity in

high-demand areas, latency-sensitive applications can be supported by overlaying low-latency services on top of the broader high-capacity network.

“Coverage-wise, it is complimentary. Capacity-wise, it is complimentary in terms of experience,” he adds.

Fly-Fi for free

One such airline that has been delivering connectivity to its passengers via Viasat for more than a decade is JetBlue. Recently, Viasat announced a multi-year extension of service on JetBlue aircraft already equipped with its

latest technology, plus a partnership to install new aircraft with Viasat Amara, the supplier’s next-gen IFC solution.

Buchman credits the success of the longstanding partnership to the airline’s strong brand and its ability, or as he says, “sixth sense,” to anticipate passenger needs before they are even expressed.

He highlights JetBlue’s distinctive route and cost structures, noting that Viasat collaborates with the airline to deliver a product that enhances the passenger experience while remaining financially sustainable.

Viasat Amara sees global uptake

Viasat Amara was selected by Aeromexico, Etihad, ANA and LATAM

Airlines this summer. Buchman points out that in addition to being selected by a geographically diverse range of airlines, the IFC solution is also being tapped for a broad range of regional versus long-haul routes, speaking to its global appeal.

He also underscores the evolving mindset of both airlines and passengers when it comes to connectivity onboard. Buchman says that in the past two years, there has been accelerated uptake in the international market, where Wi-Fi is no longer just a requirement that must be satisfied onboard, but becomes a key part of an airline’s brand.

“Passengers complain if you do not have it. If you do have it and it does not work, they are going to complain even more,” he emphasizes. “Now it is as important, if not more important, than food and other amenities onboard.”

When it comes to IFE trends such as inflight streaming and multi-personal electronic device use onboard, Buchman says Viasat Amara is fulfilling demands.

“Viasat Amara is bringing in more capacity, more coverage, more resiliency around the world,” he says.

Viasat Amara enables airlines to customize inflight content to reflect their brand, offering live streaming and creating opportunities for retail partnerships.

“For example, an airline can bring in a streaming service that is looking to get awareness or gain customers. They can offer a promotion onboard and say, offer free for this type of service, either

through the seatback, or personal electronic device or through the portal. That brings value to the third party to get more customers,” he explains.

This model benefits passengers by introducing them to new content they can continue enjoying after the flight, while also creating value for airlines by offsetting costs through third-party partners eager to pay for customer acquisition.

“Our roadmap is basically the lowest unit production cost of bandwidth. We are driving down the cost of bandwidth such that we can deliver more for the same economics, for the same price,” Buchman tells PAX.

Connectivity meets entertainment

With airlines focused on personalization, Buchman highlights the chance to enhance the inflight experience by offering live sporting events—whether through direct partnerships with leagues or via digital streaming services.

To personalize onboard offerings, Buchman points to Viasat’s Connected Partner Platform, where the supplier sells space on its server to third-party apps.

“As this convergence of connectivity and entertainment continues to meld into one, the connectivity players are the ones that are really bringing that to service. That is what we are going to continue to invest in. Now, you really cannot tell the difference between connectivity and entertainment,” he says.

CONNECTING TO THE PASSENGER PERSPECTIVE

SVP

Aviation Mike Moeller reveals how Quvia’s digital platforms are measuring connectivity performance to help airlines improve the passenger experience by ROBYNNE TRUEMAN

The realization that traditional network metrics do not tell the whole story when it comes to onboard connectivity performance prompted Quvia to look beyond traditional dashboards and reimagine how data is captured and represented.

As Mike Moeller, SVP, Aviation, Quvia, tells PAX Tech, “What is often

missing is the passenger’s point of view. Too many tools still focus on the network itself—throughput, latency, uptime—but those numbers do not tell you what is actually happening in the cabin. Instead, airlines have had to rely on anecdotal reports from crew and passengers to understand the onboard IFC experience.”

Quvia is helping its customers move from manual and reactive monitoring to minute-by-minute insight, allowing airlines to access a real-time view of system performance from the passenger perspective, measured by a Quality of Experience (QoE) score.

“That level of visibility matters because even small disruptions can change how people experience connectivity onboard,” explains Moeller. “Passengers do not experience ‘throughput’ or ‘latency.’ They experi-

ence whether their apps load, their videos stream or their messages send.”

Quvia was built to capture that real experience and depict how connectivity performs for passengers and crew.

Measuring the passenger experience

Quvia provides feedback in the form of a QoE score, measuring the quality of someone’s digital experience, such as how fast a page loads, how smoothly a video plays and how reliably an app responds. While traditional metrics like Quality of Service (QoS) focus on network behavior, QoE looks at outcomes, reflecting what the user experiences, not just what the system reports.

Moeller calls QoE Quvia’s “north star” for understanding connectivity performance.

“That score is powerful because

it speaks the same language as the passenger,” Moeller explains. “If the QoE score drops, it means users are feeling the impact—whether it is congestion, coverage or something else. Airlines can see where and why, and work with the provider(s) to improve the experience.”

Quvia’s Pulse, 360 and Grid products each focus on a different part of the IFC experience and together provide airlines with complete visibility and control. Pulse measures and monitors IFC QoE in real time. It factors in fleet type and demand and produces QoE scores that help airlines assess reliability, manage expectations and identify opportunities to improve.

360 provides a deeper operational view, capturing key aircraft data including antenna and WAP performance, connected users and other indicators that explain what is driving performance. It gives airlines additional context to understand what is happening and respond quickly.

Grid gives airlines control of the in-cabin network today and a path to multi-link orchestration. It allows teams to configure onboard network settings, monitor access points and troubleshoot issues in real time, all from a single platform. As connectivity evolves, Moeller says Grid will enable airlines to manage and balance traffic across multiple links

and networks, creating a foundation for end-to-end orchestration.

“Used together, these tools create a foundation for how airlines will manage the full digital experience inflight,” he explains. “At the end of the day, it is about grounding connectivity in human experience.”

Making metrics matter

As the IFC landscape evolves to include multiple network types, Quvia is ready to adapt and was designed to be network- and provider-neutral from the beginning.

“The shift toward multi-orbit and multi-link systems plays to our strengths because we focus on outcomes—the passenger experience—not just the underlying network,” Moeller emphasizes.

With Quvia, airlines can evaluate how different networks (GEO, MEO and LEO) perform simultaneously and better understand how each contributes to overall QoE. As airlines begin to integrate multiple providers, Quvia can provide a clear, data-driven view of performance across every aircraft and region.

“Our role is to give airlines the flexibility and insight to make that ecosystem work seamlessly for passengers,” says Moeller.

He adds that the convergence of IFC and IFE is the next step for the industry, requiring airlines to understand how passengers use both connectivity and content, not just one or the other.

“Quvia is in a strong position to make that possible,” Moeller reveals. “We are expanding our platform to bring those data sets together, giving airlines a single, real-time view of the entire digital experience onboard.”

With more in the pipeline, Quvia’s goal remains the same: to help airlines deliver digital experiences in the air that work as seamlessly as they do on the ground.

“Metrics only matter if they reflect what passengers actually experience when they fly,” Moeller concludes.

PINPOINTING PAIN POINTS WITH PRISM

SSpafax’s Tracy Cartaxo puts PRISM to the test to address pain points in airlines’ IFE workflow by

ROBYNNE TRUEMAN

pafax revealed its IFE Client Portal, PRISM, at APEX Global EXPO 2025 in Long Beach, California this September. PRISM is one of the most advanced IFE client portals in the market, built with a suite of industry-first features designed to transform how airlines manage inflight entertainment workflows.

Tracy Cartaxo, Senior Global Product Owner, Spafax, is the owner of PRISM and has been with it since its inception. The product was built from the ground up with a team of developers based in Canada.

“This tool was built for airlines by airlines,” Cartaxo tells PAX Tech, adding that she has worked with Spafax’s airline clients throughout the entire process, viewing it as a partnership.

“They are PRISM’s end users, so their opinions really matter,” she

explains. “We put their ideas into development. What has resulted is a product that we are very proud of, that is very useful. It is even being used by our airlines at APEX Global EXPO this week for discussions with the different distributors.”

Cartaxo hints at many IFE industry firsts in the client portal, with details to come at a later date. At present, 80 percent of Spafax’s clients have been onboarded, with the remaining clients set to be onboarded by the end of the year.

“Because we are so confident that we have the most advanced client portal in the IFE industry, we decided to do a 15-minute workflow challenge, which is also an IFE industry first,” she reveals.

Spafax invited airlines to challenge Cartaxo as a product owner during the EXPO by presenting their biggest pain

Size does matter...

A dozen 4K OLED displays ranging from 13-inch to the world’s largest 97-inch

Ultra sleek profiles measuring just 1-inch in depth.

point in IFE content workflow and asking her to solve it in 15 minutes or less.

To solve the presented problem, Cartaxo either used the PRISM client portal or referenced a list of all of the upcoming features.

“If the key was in neither of those, I provided them with a tailored Spafax solution,” Cartaxo explains of the challenge. “We booked more than 20 airlines for this 15-minute client portal challenge. So, it was a very successful week.”

As for how PRISM is enhancing the passenger experience, Dimitrios Tsirangelos, VP Business Development IFE Technology & Innovation, Spafax, explains that the system’s ability to streamline an airline’s content workflow can help passengers see the rele-

vant content they want onboard, faster.

“Today’s passengers want it right now – they see something at home and they want it onboard the aircraft. To create this experience, it is the whole landscape, like the content management system, the content delivery system and all these cloud processing and API interfaces between the different tools that make it possible to deliver relevant content to a passenger more quickly,” he says.

Cartaxo calls the PRISM client portal a “workflow evolution” that is helping airlines move beyond disconnected Excel spreadsheets and complicated email chains.

“We have removed the heavy lifting, automated and streamlined the processes, resulting in more

time,” she tells PAX. “Airlines have more time, our account teams have more time, and that time is where you can focus on what matters the most, which is customer satisfaction and customer experience.”

With more time to dedicate to improving the passenger journey rather than solving stagnant workflow challenges, Spafax is homing in on the details of the user experience.

“Now we are focusing more on smarter curation of titles and even the way that our passengers see the GUI, like the seatback screen,” says Cartaxo. “We have built an emulator that is custom-built for each of our airlines, so they get to see how the passengers are going to digest that information every single month.”

Save the dates

A preview of the 2026 APEX, FTE and IFSA event schedules, with key dates to note when planning for the year ahead

by JANE HOBSON

An overview of the 2026 APEX, FTE and IFSA schedules, highlighting important dates for your annual planning

PAX International and PAX Tech are proud to be longtime media partners for several APEX/IFSA/FTE annual events. As this transformative year of thoughtprovoking aviation events draws to a close, The Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX), the International Flight Services Association (IFSA) and Future Travel Experience (FTE) have notified PAX of important event dates for the coming calendar year, with more details to come.

APEX TECH returns to LA

APEX TECH 2026 returns to Los Angeles, USA from January 28 to 29. The technology-focused forum will feature informative panel discussions and engagement opportunities through workshops. The event focuses on transformative passenger experience technologies in the quickly advancing aviation industry.

APEX Content Market travels to Dubai

APEX Content Market, running in Dubai, UAE from February 11 to 12, 2026, covers all airline content needs, including the latest in TV, movies, games, GUIs, apps and audio. As the only global industry event focused on connecting inflight entertainment content buyers with worldwide content distributors, APEX Content Market offers a dynamic show floor and facilitates meetings to support inflight content planning.

Major moves

IFSA tells PAX International that in 2026, IFSA Global EXPO will move to Dallas, Texas, running September 9 to 10. Held at the renowned Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, just miles from DFW International Airport, the event will offer an immersive all-in-one experience. The expansive venue is ideal for networking, showcasing innovative products and fostering collabora-

tion. Attendees can also enjoy diverse dining, leisure activities and premium accommodations across four and a half acres of indoor gardens and waterways, enhanced by the Gaylord’s unique architectural design.

The APEX team also confirms that APEX Global EXPO will make a major move to Singapore in 2026, running alongside the FTE Asia Expo from November 18 to 19.

FTE moves to Dallas, Texas for FTE Global 2026

Future Travel Experience announced in Long Beach, California that FTE Global 2026 will take place in Dallas, Texas on September 8 to 10.

“We are delighted to have the official support of Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Southwest Airlines and Dallas Love Field Airport for what will be the 20th anniversary FTE Global event,” said Ryan Ghee, Chief Operating Officer, Future Travel Experience in a LinkedIn post following the announcement.

MILESTONE MOMENT FOR APAC

APEX FTE Asia Expo returns to Singapore under the theme of “Accelerating Innovation” this November, marking 15 years of the industry event

by ROBYNNE TRUEMAN

APEX FTE Asia Expo returns to the Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre in Singapore on November 11 to 12, under the theme of “Accelerating Innovation,” highlighting the role of fresh thinking, creativity and innovation in powering significant growth across the Asia-Pacific region.

“Ranging from the latest inflight advancements to the steps being taken to create more seamless and memorable end-to-end experiences, this theme will permeate all aspects of this year’s conference,” Ryan Ghee, Chief Operating Officer, Future Travel Experience, tells PAX Tech.

Expo timeline

The 2025 event marks 15 years of APEX FTE Asia Expo with the first edition launched in 2010, initially under FTE Asia Expo; APEX became a co-host later on. Since 2019, all editions have been delivered under the unified Asia Expo branding, as the region’s leading innovation and passenger experience expo.

“We are proud to celebrate the evolution of APEX FTE Asia Expo into Asia-Pacific’s definitive platform for innovation, passenger experience and business transformation,” says Ghee.

He adds, “A cornerstone of this success has been our partnerships with Changi Airport Group and Singapore Airlines, both of whom are Headline Partners again this year.”

To celebrate this milestone, the event will feature a lineup of esteemed speakers, including c-suite speakers from across APAC and beyond, plus the most exhibitors in the region to date.

Exhibitors will include those from the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) and the International Flight Services Association (IFSA).

“It promises to be a memorable way to celebrate 15 years since our first event in the APAC region,” Ghee affirms.

Blueview Cloud helps airlines unlock digital engagement with a flexible, ground-hosted solution designed for the connected cabin.

AIX 2026 marks 25 years of cabin innovation

As the

industry prepares for

the 25th edition of AIX in 2026, Event Director Archana Dharni looks back on its success and ahead to trends shaping the future

by ROBYNNE TRUEMAN

The Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) returns to Hamburg for its milestone 25th edition in April 2026. Looking back on how the event has evolved since its first edition in 2000, Event Director Archana Dharni tells PAX Tech it is the pace of change she finds most striking.

“When AIX launched in Cannes in 2000, cabin innovation moved in decade-long cycles. Today, we see refresh cycles of just three to five years, with technology evolving almost annually,” she explains.

Dharni says the strategic importance of the cabin has also transformed.

“In 2000, interiors were largely seen as a cost center. Today, cabin experience is a core competitive differentiator. Airlines are winning or losing customers based on comfort, connectivity and sustainability,” she notes. “The 25th edition is a milestone moment for AIX and the wider cabin interiors community. It is a celebra-

tion of how far the industry has come, from traditional manufacturing to an era defined by digitalization, sustainability and cross-sector collaborations.”

Trends shaping themes

Dharni highlights three major trends shaping the 2026 event: sustainability, digitalization and the continued rise of business aviation.

“Sustainability has moved from a ‘nice to have’ to a businesscritical priority,” she says.

With airlines under pressure to meet net-zero goals by 2050, she emphasizes the impact this is having on procurement decisions.

“Lightweight materials, circular design and transparent supply chains are now top of mind. Hamburg Aviation’s FAIRcraft project, for example, is pioneering fully circular cabin prototypes designed for disassembly and reuse,” Dharni says.

In terms of digitalization, she

notes that connectivity is changing how cabins are built and operated.

“It is no longer about Wi-Fi access points but designing integrated digital ecosystems where IFE, cabin management systems and passenger devices interact seamlessly. Airlines increasingly want connectivity-asa-service rather than buying hardware outright,” Dharni explains.

A platform for the future

Co-located with the World Travel Catering and Onboard Services Expo (WTCE), Dharni says 30 percent of visitors attend both shows.

“This synergy allows teams to source everything from seating and IFE to catering and onboard service solutions in one trip,” Dharni says.

“The crossover between cabin design and onboard service, particularly in sustainability, creates opportunities for collaboration that would not happen elsewhere. The innovations and partnerships being formed at AIX 2026 will define the next generation of passenger experience, smarter, more sustainable and more connected than ever before.”

READERSHIP AWARDS 2026

RETURN TO

HAMBURG!

From onboard caterers to connectivity and all the latest in aircraft cabins, the PAX Readership Awards will once again recognize those in the industry that go above and beyond.

The award winners will be announced on Wednesday April 15, 2026 at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Hamburg.

Award winners will be featured in our May 2026 special post-Hamburg Awards digital issue.

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