Top innovations and contributions for the airline passenger experience have been celebrated at the APEX/IFSA Award Ceremony in Los Angeles.
For his contributions to the industry, APEX presented Brinder Bhatia with the APEX Lifetime Achievement Award, for “decades of selfless work, vision and dedication.” In a career spanning over 40 years, Bhatia “worked tirelessly to push the industry forward in building both custom and customisable systems that made IFEC central to the passenger experience for every airline.”
APEX members also recognised airlines and suppliers working to provide a top passenger experience, leveraging innovations and technology to provide seamless, connected or entertaining journeys.
“APEX is proud to highlight the most innovative approaches to business in passenger experience from our member airlines and vendors,” said Maura Chacko, co-chair of the APEX Awards Committee. “We honor these organisations who have shown exemplary dedication and innovation to advancing the passenger experience.”
For Best Lounge Innovation, Fiji Airways took home the prize with its Fully Qualified Nannies at Fiji Airways Premier Lounge.
In the Best Marketing Innovation category, SriLankan Airlines celebrated a win for ‘Spirit of SriLankan Airlines & The Magic of Vesak.’
Meanwhile VT Miltope took the award for Best Inflight Connectivity Innovation for Securing Wireless Cabin Networks for the Future.
Next, Best Inflight Entertainment Innovation went to American Airlines for ‘Calm on American Airlines’, while the carrier also took the prize in Best Inflight Food or Beverage for its Zoes Kitchen Partnership, while Clip Limited won Best Onboard Amenity for its JetBlue Mint Kits.
New to the ceremony this year were the APEX/IFSA Awards for Best Cabin Innovation and Best Product of Service. Astronics took home the award for Best Cabin Innovation for its Intelligent Bin Solution/Smart Aircraft System, while Air New Zealand won Best Product or Service with its Skycouch improvements.
The APEX Crystal Cabin Award Winner for Best Customer Journey Experience was named as Airbus for its Connected Experience.
Finally, the Newcomer of the Year Award was handed to Flight Center Instituto de Aviación for its Flight Attendant VR Training Program.
