Members of APEX (the Airline Passenger Experience Association) and IFSA (the International Flight Services Association) have recognised innovators from airlines and vendor partners at the inaugural APEX/IFSA Award Ceremony, sponsored by Gategroup, Paramount Pictures, Spafax and Thales.
“APEX is proud to highlight the most innovative approaches to business in passenger experience from our member airlines and vendors. We honor these organizations who have shown exemplary dedication and innovation to advancing the passenger experience,” says Maura Chacko, co-chair of the APEX Awards Committee.
The winners, determined by an industry and media judging panel:
- Fiji Airways: Best Lounge Innovation, for its fully qualified nannies at the Fiji Airways Premier Lounge
- SriLankan Airlines: Best Marketing Innovation, for Spirit of SriLankan Airlines & The Magic of Vesak
- VT Miltope: Best Inflight Connectivity Innovation, for securing wireless cabin networks for the future
- American Airlines: Best Inflight Entertainment Innovation, for Calm on American Airlines
Newcomer of the Year Award
- Flight Center Instituto de Aviación: Flight attendant VR training programme
2020 IFSA Awards
- American Airlines: Best Inflight Food or Beverage – Zoës Kitchen Partnership
- Clip Limited: Best Onboard Amenity – JetBlue Mint kits
Further awards were Best Cabin Innovation and Best Product or Service, in recognition of outstanding achievements in creating a thoughtful new cabin environment, and innovations in passenger comfort, including seats, design, lighting, temperature control, air quality and more.
The winners are:
- Astronics: Best Cabin Innovation – Intelligent Bin Solution/Smart Aircraft System
- Air New Zealand: Best Product or Service – Skycouch Improvements
2020 APEX + Crystal Cabin Award Winner is:
- Airbus: Best Customer Journey Experience – Connected Experience
During the Ceremony, APEX also honored Brinder Bhatia with the APEX Lifetime Achievement Award. Over the course of his 40-year career, Bhatia has worked tirelessly to push the industry forward in building both custom and customisable systems that made IFEC central to the passenger experience for virtually every airline. Even in retirement, Bhatia remains committed to helping airlines transform and build upon their passenger experiences.
