How Airlines Expect Innovation to Change the Way You Fly

Commercial flying may have lost its mythical appeal from the bygone jet age -- think crowded budget carriers, dour catering and the premature demise of the majestic Airbus A380 airliner -- but aerospace companies are nevertheless busy trying to improve the passenger experience on board an aircraft. In the hyper-competitive world of aviation, more comfort in the cabin can also be a major selling point for airlines, and cabin amenities (or the lack thereof) are oft-discussed features on social media platforms.

At the annual Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, the biggest showcase for innovation in the cabin, hundreds of exhibitors presented new seats, fabrics, lights, in-flight entertainment systems or creative layout concepts. One big trend at this year’s show: making better use of the data that is generated in the cabin to provide a more customized passenger experience, support flight attendants and improve maintenance of complex business-class seats or kitchen areas.