Industry Leaders Convened to Explore the Roles of Connectivity, Inflight Content, and Data in Elevating the Passenger Experience
LOS ANGELES, CA. USA (28 January 2026) – As the leading hub for airline technology and innovation, APEX TECH returned to Los Angeles, California on 27-28 January with an evolved program that further deepened industry collaboration across the airline and passenger experience technology landscape, drawing 18% higher attendance year over year. Bringing back its popular interactive workshops and speed networking sessions, APEX TECH created even more opportunities for real-time dialogue between airlines, technology providers, and industry experts.
Hosted by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX), the two-day event explored the aviation technologies and data-driven solutions with a strong emphasis on real-world airline use cases, passenger experience applications, and measurable commercial impact. On the main stage, impactful keynote sessions offered practical perspectives from industry voices, including:
Integrating Intelligence – Data Driven Blueprint for IFE & Connectivity
During this keynote, Andrés Castañeda Ochoa, Chief Digital and Customer Experience Officer at Aeroméxico, focused on how the airline uses enterprise data and AI to reframe the role of inflight connectivity and entertainment. He highlighted the importance of unifying operational, customer, and onboard data to create more responsive and resilient digital experiences. The session illustrated how real-time intelligence can unlock personalization, improve reliability, and open new revenue opportunities across the connected cabin. Castañeda Ochoa positioned data integration as a foundational capability for airlines looking to scale digital innovation with purpose.
Delta at Full Power – Customer-Centric Technology and IFEC as a Profit Engine
Delta Air Lines’ keynote featured Joseph Eddy, Director of Cabin & IFEC Programs, who outlined how a disciplined, customer-first technology strategy has become a driver of both premium experience and sustained profitability. The discussion examined the airline’s integrated cabin ecosystem, where technology, connectivity, content, and data function as one to drive consistency, scalability, and financial performance. Attendees gained insight into the alignment across platforms, teams, and strategy that enables Delta to lead the industry in margins while continuing to raise expectations for passengers.
United’s Kinective Media: Turning Passenger Satisfaction into Major Airline NPS and RASM Increases
Mike Petrella, Managing Director of Strategic Partnerships of United Airlines, shared the airline’s transformative approach of its inflight entertainment scale into a high-trust, data-driven engagement platform through Kinective Media. He addressed how United’s industry-leading seatback IFE footprint, combined with first-party data and journey context, enables more relevant, passenger-friendly interactions that support both satisfaction and revenue growth. The discussion also explored the expanding role of next-generation connectivity in IFEC, enabling inflight experiences that mirror passengers’ digital behaviors.
Evolving the Non-Theatrical Ecosystem: Rights, Content, and Collaboration
Drawing on the perspective from one of Hollywood’s most influential studios, Esdra Lamy, SVP of Content Sales, IFE Syndication at Warner Bros. Discovery, delivered future-forward keynote on how rights strategy, windowing, and collaboration are redefining the approach of inflight entertainment. The conversation reinforced why curated, fully licensed IFEC remains a strategic advantage over open streaming models, driving stronger engagement, trust, and brand differentiation onboard. The session spotlighted the importance of aligning connectivity, curation, and rights-compliant delivery to sustain a premium, commercially viable inflight entertainment experience.
Air India in Transformation: Engineering a New Global Airline Through Customer Experience Strategy, Technology, and Cultural Reset
For the event’s last keynote, Anjali Birla, VP, CX Strategy & Intelligence of Air India, provided an inside look at Air India’s end-to-end transformation as the airline rebuilds its global position through a unified customer experience, technology, and cultural strategy. She discussed how aligning digital platforms, data infrastructure, and organizational mindset around a shared customer truth is central to scaling change across fleets, regions, and service models. The conversation emphasized the role of inflight experience and onboard digital touchpoints as catalysts for consistency, engagement, and trust throughout the journey.
“APEX TECH continues to be the must-attend event for meaningful, direct conversations about the future of airline technology,” APEX Group CEO Dr. Joe Leader stated. “As we begin 2026, the focus is on turning collaboration into impact by bringing airlines and solution providers together to move beyond ideas into actionable strategies that drive the passenger experience forward and unlock new heights for the industry.”
From compelling keynote addresses to dynamic workshops and interactive breakout sessions, APEX TECH delivered an in-depth look at the ideas and strategies influencing the future of aviation technology and IFEC.
For a full list of upcoming APEX, IFSA, and Future Travel Experience events, please visit APEX Events. For more information about APEX, visit apex.aero, sign up for the APEX Daily Experience e-newsletter, or follow APEX on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
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About the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX)
As a global non-profit and one of the world’s largest international airline associations, APEX accelerates the industry with the backing of nearly every major airline and valued supplier. APEX reinvests all its resources to serving its members, strengthening the worldwide airline industry, advancing thought-leadership, fostering business opportunities via events, developing global initiatives, setting key airline standards, and highlighting well-deserved recognition across our industry. In conjunction with both the International Flight Services Association (IFSA) and Future Travel Experience (FTE), APEX serves the full spectrum of the end-to-end travel experience.