Thales Inflyt Experience has appointed Niels Steenstrup as its CEO, succeeding TK Kallenbach, who has held the role since 2021 and is now retired. Thales Inflyt Experience works across the aircraft cabin sector, from in-flight entertainment (IFE) and connectivity systems, to lighting technology.
Niels Steenstrup joins Thales with 35 years of international business experience in building high-performing global enterprises, with aviation industry and aircraft connectivity knowledge brought to the role from his senior leadership positions at Inmarsat, Passur Aerospace, Gogo and Boeing.
Most recently, Steenstrup served as president of Inmarsat Aviation, a company which provides satellite connectivity services for cabin and cockpit to the airlines and business aviation. He led Inmarsat’s launch into the new advanced air mobility business (uncrewed aviation) and played an instrumental role in the sale of Inmarsat to Viasat.
Before joining Inmarsat, Steenstrup served as EVP & chief commercial officer at Passur Aerospace, working in digital operations for the aviation industry, and international SVP at Gogo, where he led the development and launch of Gogo’s international business, including securing marquee airline clients in the EMEA, APAC and Latin America regions. In addition, Steenstrup led product management, marketing and sales activities for the EMEA and Americas regions at Connexion by Boeing.
Beyond aviation, he has driven the adoption of online and technology services at Reuters, Bank of America, McKinsey & Company, and Goldman Sachs. Steenstrup is a graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, and holds an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management in Illinois.
