Op-Ed: Women soar in the aircraft interiors industry

Thank you to the organizers of the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) for this powerful contribution on International Women’s Day (IWD). AIX will take place on 8-10 April in Hamburg, Germany.

International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. Taking place each year on 8 March and historically a part of the women’s rights movement it’s a day to champion the progress made toward gender equality while also acknowledging the hurdles yet to be overcome. IWD serves as a powerful platform to amplify women’s voices, pushing for a future where all genders have equal opportunities.   

IWD holds particular significance as it provides an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of women who are shaping and making an impact on the future of passenger experiences. It highlights the role women play in driving innovation, from new and innovative design concepts to developing solutions that enhance the travel experience and address vital needs in sustainability and accessibility. Importantly, IWD also serves as a time to reflect on the industry’s journey towards greater inclusivity, diversity, and representation in what is a traditionally male-dominated field.

In this article, AIX explores perspectives on International Women’s Day and the future of the aircraft interiors sector, featuring insights from influential women focusing on their experiences, successes, and challenges.

Diverse paths, shared passion

The paths women take to lead successful careers in aircraft interiors are as varied as the individuals themselves. For Megan King, Lead Designer at STG Aerospace, the spark ignited during her Industrial Design degree at Brunel University, where a placement year at a design studio focusing on wayfinding in the transport sector captivated her with the profound impact of passenger experiences.

She said: “It was during my Industrial Design degree at Brunel University, where I spent my placement year at a design studio, that the spark came to life for aircraft interiors.”  It was a realisation that the spaces we inhabit while travelling can evoke emotions, create memories, and transform the very essence of a journey. And I wanted to play a part in that.”

Amalia Martinez Martin, Interiors Marketing Director at Airbus, found her way into the sector through a chance encounter. “I ended up working on cabin interiors by chance,” she explained. While initially pursuing a role in aircraft weight and balance, she discovered the captivating world of VIP cabin outfitting at the Airbus Corporate Jet Centre. This unexpected turn led her to a fulfilling career where she blends engineering expertise with creative design. 

“The process of transforming a concept into a fully realised, functional and visually stunning cabin element integrated into an aircraft is an incredibly rewarding experience. Since discovering the marvellous world of VIP cabin outfitting, I gained competences to become the customer technical focal point and the leader of the engineering working group to define, develop and integrate the whole cabin monuments and solutions answering the specific requirements of the customer for a given VIP cabin project. With the pleasure to have worked in five different projects and to deliver equivalent magnificent VIP cabins.”   

Amalia Martinez Martin, Interiors Marketing Director at Airbus. Image: Airbus

Libby Stevens, Designer at PriestmanGoode, followed a more serendipitous route. Drawn to a company with strong female representation and a passion for creating real-world solutions, she found her niche in the aviation industry. “PriestmanGoode, is a design consultancy that specialises in transport design. It’s led by a female managing director and has a team of designers with great female representation. Across my career, I’ve wanted to create real-world solutions. Sometimes as a designer, you can find yourself spending months at a time on projects, dedicating so much passion but that don’t go on to ever see the light of day in a commercial sense. I had a deeper imperative, a desire to see products and experience come to life – and the aviation industry has enabled me to achieve that.”   

Support fuels success

Mentorship and support play a crucial role in empowering women in the industry; the concept of role models has long been seen as an effective and powerful way to inspire and guide the next generation of professionals. King highlights the importance of effective communication and collaboration with various stakeholders. “Effective communication with various stakeholders is essential. The aircraft interiors design process involves numerous moving parts and ensuring that all parties are informed at the appropriate stages is a crucial skill to possess.” She encourages aspiring professionals to challenge established norms and push the boundaries of innovation. “While the aerospace industry is often characterised by rules and regulations, there are still ample opportunities for innovation and for questioning the notion of ‘we’ve always done it this way’.”   

Alongside support, Martin stresses the value of adaptability in the ever-evolving aviation landscape. Staying abreast of new technologies, materials, and sustainability initiatives is key to long-term success. “Collaboration is essential, aircraft interior design involves close coordination between engineers, manufacturers and regulatory authorities. Effective communication and teamwork are key to delivering successful projects. Another key element is adaptability, the aviation industry is constantly evolving with new technologies, materials and sustainability initiatives. Staying updated and being open to change is essential for long-term aircraft interiors success.”   

Stevens found inspiration in the strong female leadership and collaborative environment at PriestmanGoode. “Since I’ve been part of the team, I’ve consistently been impressed by the open form of decision making, the quality of work produced and the type of exciting projects, like space tourism!”

She emphasises the importance of understanding airline propositions, passenger needs, and the latest innovations to create exceptional cabin experiences. “Whether it’s what we’d call: luxury carriers, the global mega carriers or low-cost carriers. Know who you are designing for! Understand the needs of the passengers of tomorrow. As a designer you always need to be five steps ahead and clients are looking to you to push the thinking to create visionary and competitive experiences for their customers. Keeping up to date with passengers’ mindsets, needs, as well as the latest product and technological innovations is the key in the design of stand-out interiors.”   

Overcoming challenges, embracing growth

Of course, the journey to success is not without its challenges.  Stevens acknowledges that some areas of the industry remain male-dominated, “but that’s ok!” Stevens also encourages women to embrace their unique skills and perspectives, viewing them as assets rather than limitations: “It became clear from the moment I joined PG that my set of skills would be valued, and could help, even if just a little, to shake up what can at times be a very slow aircraft interiors industry.”   

Advice for the next generation

Martin’s experience transitioning from engineering to cabin design demonstrates the power of embracing new challenges and continuously learning. Her advice to newcomers is to cultivate a passion for aviation and a willingness to adapt to the industry’s dynamic nature. “A passion for aviation and a great interest in learning new things and facing new challenges is what drew me to the aircraft interiors world,” she said.

Megan King advises those transitioning into aircraft interiors to “not to feel intimidated by the aerospace industry. Many individuals entering this field have no prior experience in transportation. Initially, the volume of information and acronyms may appear overwhelming, but the skills acquired from previous roles can be effectively applied in this context.”

She adds a light-hearted note, warning that “those who choose to embark on this journey are likely to find that their flying experience will never be the same again. You will become more aware of various aspects of the aircraft or experience. That may annoy your family and friends on leisure flights! However, it does turn every flight into an adventure!”   

Megan King, Lead Designer at STG Aerospace. Image: STG Aerospace

All three women offer valuable advice for those hoping to embark on a career in aircraft interiors. King suggests focusing on communication skills and the ability to challenge conventional thinking. 

“It is important to have confidence in your abilities and to challenge established norms,” she explained and recommends seeking out training programs that enhance design facilitation and collaboration.

“I found a course on design facilitation to be particularly beneficial. This course focused on effectively conducting design workshops; however, the skills acquired can be applied to any meeting context. It provided valuable techniques to ensure that all participants, regardless of their seniority, can contribute meaningfully, as well as methods to decompose complex specifications into clear requirements, which is often encountered in the aerospace sector. This course significantly enhanced my confidence to trust in the design process and, more specifically, in applying aspects of that process to engineering-oriented projects.”   

Martin encourages aspiring professionals to develop a strong foundation in aerospace engineering or industrial design, coupled with a passion for aviation and a thirst for knowledge. “I believe a combination of a strong foundation in aerospace engineering and industrial design with a focus on aircraft applications will be the perfect match profile, but a passion for aviation and a great interest in learning new things and facing new challenges is what drew me to the aircraft interiors world.”   

Stevens emphasises the importance of understanding the diverse needs of different airlines and their passengers. “Keeping up to date with passengers’ mindsets, needs, as well as the latest product and technological innovations is the key in the design of stand-out interiors.” She advises newcomers to find a company that aligns with their values and fosters a collaborative environment. “I think it’s really important to work somewhere where your values match those of the organisation – this is a licence to be the designer you really want to be.”   

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, it’s inspiring to witness the growing number of women making their mark in the aircraft interiors industry. Their diverse paths, unwavering passion, and commitment to excellence are shaping the future of passenger experiences. By embracing challenges, supporting one another, and fostering a culture of inclusivity, we can ensure that the aircraft interiors sector continues to soar to new heights.

Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) will take place in Halls B1-B7 at the Hamburg Messe, Germany, from 8-10 April 2025. To register for the show, please visit here.

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About the authors: 

The Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) is the world’s leading marketplace for airlines and the supply chain to meet. We bring the whole industry together so you can explore and source the latest products, find practical solutions, collaborate and build relationships with the right people, find the best products to enhance your cabin interiors, and discover those hidden gems to create the ultimate cabin and passenger experience.

Featured image credited to Airbus

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