Press Release: Innovation takes flight in Hamburg at AIX 2025

The world of cabin innovation meets in Hamburg from 8 to 10 April, making the Hanseatic city the global hub for aircraft interior design. At Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) 2025, over 450 exhibitors will showcase their latest solutions and concepts for a future-ready passenger experience – from sustainable materials to cutting-edge digital technologies.

“Hamburg is proud to host the world’s leading minds in cabin innovation,” says Ralf Gust, Managing Director of Hamburg Aviation.

“AIX offers an exceptional platform for international exchange on pioneering aviation solutions. The fact that so many of our cluster members are presenting their own innovations here underlines Hamburg’s unique strength in this field.”

“The convergence of the Crystal Cabin Award and Aircraft Interiors Expo creates a centre for cabin innovation. AIX showcases ground-breaking technologies, while the Award celebrates the ideas that are transforming the passenger experience,” adds Archana Dharni, Event Director, Aircraft Interiors Expo & Passenger Experience Conference.

“We’re proud that the Crystal Cabin Award takes place alongside AIX once again this year. I’d like to extend my personal congratulations to all nominees for 2025 – I’m excited to see who will be recognised this year and to discover the innovations that will shape the future of our industry.”

Key Topics for 2025: Sustainability, Connectivity, Accessibility and Comfort

In Hamburg’s aviation cluster, global market leaders meet creative SMEs to jointly present ground-breaking innovations at Aircraft Interiors Expo. This year, the show focuses on eco-friendly materials, intelligent IT solutions and a new level of passenger comfort.

At Stand 5A20, Airbus is presenting its A220 Airspace cabin, combining generous space, large windows, modern lighting, expanded overhead bins and seamless connectivity for a widebody-like travel experience. The A220 Airspace cabin is a finalist in this year’s Crystal Cabin Award, to be presented live on 8 April at the Grand Elysee Hotel in Hamburg.

Also on display at the Airbus stand will be a virtual reality exhibit offering a realistic insight into the new A350 First Class, with a focus on comfort and premium design. Overall, the emphasis is on sustainable materials, improved connectivity and accessibility that aim to set new standards in passenger experience.

Lufthansa Technik, the global leader in MRO and based in Hamburg, is showcasing technological innovations for both interior and exterior aircraft applications at AIX 2025 (Stand 6A90). These include 3D printing and graphics solutions, as well as the non-electrical emergency floor path marking system GuideU.

The CelestialSTAR VIP cabin design for the BBJ 777-9 combines modern elegance with Middle Eastern heritage, making optimal use of space for comfort and versatility. Also on display by Lufthansa Technik is AeroSHARK – a bionic aircraft film featuring a sharkskin-like microstructure that reduces aerodynamic drag, fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions.

Lufthansa Technik is also highlighting its expertise in cabin modifications for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, for which it is currently the world’s only Boeing-licensed service centre. To support this, a new widebody hangar will be opened in Malta by 2026. With its “Hidden Touch Display”, a seamlessly integrated touch panel for high-end cabin surfaces, Lufthansa Technik is a finalist for the Crystal Cabin Award. The company has another entry to root for, too; “Triple Innovation For A Five Star Cabin Experience”, developed in collaboration with Gogo and IDAIR, is a connectivity and content system for VIP passengers on Boeing 737 aircraft also in the running for a coveted Crystal Cabin Award.

Diehl Aviation is today one of the world’s leading innovators in cabin experience. At AIX 2025, the company invites visitors to Stand 7D20 for an interactive showcase that vividly brings the evolution of aircraft cabins to life. At the Cabin Demonstrator, guests can explore modern cabin solutions in detail and gain insights into development processes and technological innovations.

A special focus is placed on social inclusion; the Diehl Aviation Space³ concept presents accessible lavatory solutions specifically designed to meet the needs of passengers with reduced mobility. Space³ is a finalist in this year’s Crystal Cabin Award. In addition, the ECOefficiency Space and Future Cabin Concept exhibits offer a glimpse into the cabin of tomorrow, featuring sustainable materials and bionic-inspired design elements aimed at significantly reducing aviation’s environmental footprint. The ECO Bin is a fully recyclable overhead storage compartment made with a specially developed recyclable sandwich material, designed to reduce environmental impact through weight and CO₂ savings. eDecor aims to revolutionise aircraft interiors with a customisable, energy-efficient décor solution that enhances both brand identity and passenger comfort, while allowing the look of the cabin to be changed in an instant. Both products are also finalists in this year’s Crystal Cabin Award.

The German Aerospace Center (DLR) will be exhibiting at Aircraft Interiors Expo for the first time with its own stand, showcasing pioneering research in cabin concepts and technologies. Visitors to Stand 6B118 can look forward to an interactive VR experience highlighting innovative design concepts, such as “Next Generation Seat”. Developed jointly with the National Research Council (NRC) of Canada, this fascinating exhibit is presented both as a VR model and physical mock-up. The display is complemented by visionary concepts such as windowless cabins with customisable projections, and a hydrogen-powered aircraft integrating the latest sustainable aviation technologies. DLR thus provides a comprehensive look at the cabin of the future – efficient, user-focused and environmentally conscious.

ZAL – Hamburg’s Centre of Applied Aeronautical Research – is the home of technological R&D for the civil aviation industry in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region. At the Hamburg Lounge (Stand 6C90, Hall 6), ZAL is presenting the RAFINESS Bin – a recyclable overhead storage bin manufactured semi-automatically. This robot-assisted additive manufacturing process not only reduces time and costs but also enhances sustainability: only two materials are used instead of seven, and over 50% of the printing material is bio-based. Key applications could include customised cabin designs in smaller production runs. RAFINESS demonstrates how sustainability and efficiency can go hand in hand.

Innovint Aircraft Interior GmbH (Stand 6C80, Hall 6) is debuting the PED Containment Pocket (PCP) – the first certified solution for safe in-flight charging of mobile devices used by cabin crew. The PCP allows smartphones and tablets to be charged unattended while safely stored, reliably preventing thermal runaways thanks to its special design. It can be flexibly installed and quickly detached in an emergency. Developed in close collaboration with EASA, the certification process sets a new standard in onboard safety and efficiency.

Crystal Cabin Awards 2025: Celebrating Innovations that Change the Way We Fly

Hamburg is home to the world-renowned Crystal Cabin Award – the leading prize for innovation in aircraft interiors. The award ceremony will take place on 8 April 2025, the opening day of Aircraft Interiors Expo, at the Grand Elysee Hotel Hamburg and is one of the week’s highlights. This year, 22 finalists are competing in seven categories, including a new category “Accessibility”, while the “Judges’ Choice” award returns to focus on airline innovation. Entries come from leading international airlines, suppliers and design firms such as Airbus, Collins Aerospace, Lufthansa Technik, Diehl Aviation, Cathay Pacific and United Airlines.

At Cabin Space Live (Hall B1, Lower Level), former Crystal Cabin Award winners will take the stage at 11am and 12pm, offering insights into the development of their successful entries. In dynamic panel discussions, they will explore the innovation landscape in aircraft interiors, addressing challenges in market entry, innovation culture, decision-making and the growing role of AI in product development. The 2025 winners will then present their innovations at 2pm. The Crystal Cabin Award stand is located in the Hamburg Lounge, Hall 6, stand 6C90.

Networking Hub: Hamburg Lounge

At the Hamburg Lounge (Stand 6C90, Hall 6), partners from the Hamburg Aviation cluster and SME association Hanse-Aerospace come together. The lounge serves as a central meeting point for discussions and networking, while also offering insights into Hamburg’s structure as a globally recognised aviation hub.

Supporting Events: Experience Industry Trends

AIX is part of a wider programme of events: The Passenger Experience Conference (7 April) kicks things off with keynotes and panels on personalised services, accessibility and AI in cabin tech. In the IFEC Zone (Halls B2–B4), it’s all about in-flight entertainment and digital solutions. The Cabin Space Live programme delivers first-hand market insights.

Running in parallel is the World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo (WTCE) – the leading trade fair for onboard catering and service concepts. The Taste of Travel Theatre will feature live cooking, expert panels and culinary trends from the skies.

The post Press Release: Innovation takes flight in Hamburg at AIX 2025 appeared first on Runway Girl.