The prestigious APEX/IFSA Awards took place on Wednesday evening 20 September in Long Beach, California as part of the annual expo arranged by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) and the International Flight Services Association (IFSA).
The awards, which celebrate excellence in passenger experience and onboard products and services, is an event not to be missed by the aviation industry and Inflight Editor Satu Dahl was delighted to once again be part of the judging panel.
APEX/IFSA CEO Dr. Joe Leader commented on the night: “Tonight, we didn’t just celebrate the relentless drive and dedication of the airline industry’s finest, we hailed the audacious visionaries who have unequivocally redefined the future of air travel and the passenger journey.
“These are not just airlines and leading suppliers, they are titans and trailblazers who, in the face of unprecedented challenges, have not just adapted but have revolutionised the way we soar the skies. They have channelled colossal investments into game-changing technologies and groundbreaking sustainable practices. Backed by the roaring applause of over a million passengers’ votes, we don’t just recognise these leaders of aviation, all of us at APEX and IFSA salute their indomitable spirit.”
People and companies recognised during the awards ceremony included Qatar Airways Group CEO H.E. Akbar Al Baker who won the APEX CEO Lifetime Achievement Award for his relentless pursuit of excellence, elevating the experience for Qatar Airways passengers and setting a gold standard that has rippled across the entire airline industry.
The airlines that received the 2024 APEX World Class award included Emirates, Japan Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Qatar Airways, SAUDIA, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines and Xiamen Airlines.
APEX Best In Airline Awards acknowledged airlines that provide the best passenger experiences in Cabin Service, Entertainment, Food & Beverage, Seat Comfort & Wi-Fi as voted on by the passengers and EVA Air won the award for Best Cabin Service, Singapore Airlines won the award for Best Entertainment, Qatar Airways received the award Best Food and Beverage (presented in conjunction with IFSA), Cathay Pacific was chosen to win the Best Seat Comfort category and Delta Air Lines received an award for Best Wi-Fi. Qatar Airways Group CEO H.E. Akbar Al Baker also accepted Best in Entertainment Award in the Middle East for Qatar Airways.
APEX/IFSA Awards
Finally, the APEX/IFSA Awards recognise specific, innovative and brand new achievements that have been successfully implemented in the past year. The 2024 APEX/IFSA Award winners were recognised for their innovations in the following categories:
Delta Air Lines – Innovation Award for Best Inflight Connectivity
FlightPath3D – Innovation Award for Best Inflight Entertainment
2024 APEX/IFSA AWARD WINNER:
Delta Air Lines – Innovation Award for Best Cabin
2024 IFSA AWARD WINNERS:
SriLankan Airlines – Best Inflight Food or Beverage
Emirates – Best Onboard Amenity
The 2024 APEX/IFSA Awards Ceremony was sponsored in part by Boeing, CineSend, gategroup, Smize Cream, Spafax, Thales, and Warner Brothers Discovery.
