Inflight Editor Satu Dahl reports from APEX TECH, which returned to Los Angeles in 2026 with an evolved format that continues to foster collaboration, inclusivity, and deeper engagement across the airline and passenger experience tech ecosystem.
The Airline Passenger Experience Association’s APEX TECH event for the aviation industry professionals took place this week in Los Angeles from 27 to 28 January.
The unique and highly specialised annual event dives deep into the exciting technologies shaping the passenger experience on board flights and provides real-world use cases, also looking into commercial opportunities the next-generation in-flight entertainment and connectivity solutions provide for airlines.
The other topics the event focuses on are media content and supply chain, data capture and intelligence as well as ancillary revenue. Inflight Editor Satu Dahl moderated the event’s “Engineering the Next Generation of Connected Travel – Performance, Data Integration, and Intelligent IFEC Systems” panel discussion on Wednesday 28 January. The lively and thought-provoking discussion’s panellists included Walter Berggren, Head of IFEC Engineering at Reaktor Aero; Mark Wright, Global SVP of Business Development at Spafax; Premjith Manapetty, Head of IFEC, Digital & Tech at Air India; and Cyril Jean, CEO of PXCom.
The keynotes at the event featured an opening keynote by Andrés Castañeda Ochoa, Chief Digital and Customer Experience Officer at Aeroméxico, who explained how AI and enterprise data strategies are reshaping the future of in-flight connectivity and entertainment. Another insightful keynote session was presented by Mike Petrella, Managing Director, Strategic Partnerships at United Airlines who discussed how United has paired the fastest expansion of in-flight entertainment in the industry with a fundamentally new approach to passenger engagement and monetisation.
Other technology topics explored at the conference included the latest developments in IFC and the rise of LEO satellite connectivity on board, as well as IFEC portals, performance, and personalisation driving the next wave of airline revenue and loyalty. Edge caching and streaming and examining supply chain tech, standards, business models and technical implications was also a prominent area of discussion, as were in-flight entertainment content models, advertising and e-commerce opportunities.
Dimitrios Tsirangelos, VP, Business Development IFE Technology & Innovation at Spafax, said about the event: “APEX TECH is where aviation’s sharpest minds converge to redefine passenger experience—through AI-driven and data-mindful personalisation, next-gen connectivity, and boundary-pushing media innovation.
“It’s not just a conference — it’s the launchpad for the future of IFE.”
