Work and Play Prominent in the Battle to Fill Airline Seats

LONDON and HAMBURG, Germany, March 24, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

• Airlines to gather in Hamburg for Passenger Experience Conference

The airline cabin is emerging as a significant place to do business. Virgin Atlantic Airways' research shows that one in five flyers has done business with someone they met on a flight while airBaltic was the launch airline for the social seating system whereby passengers can choose to sit in a zone that suits their mood, opting for 'Business Talk', 'Easy chat' or 'Work'.

Hosted by the Aircraft Interiors Expo and World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo, leading experts from these and other airlines from around the world will be addressing the annual Passenger Experience Conference, which takes place at the CCH - Congress Center Hamburg on 13^th April 2015.

Speakers will include Reuben Arnold, Brand and Customer Engagement Manager, Virgin Atlantic Airways; Calum Laming, Vice President, Guest Experience, Etihad Airways; Rodrigo Llaguno, Vice-President Customer Experience, Avianca; Kerry Reeves, Head of Aircraft Programmes/Airline Programmes, Air New Zealand; Carl Gissing, Director Customer Service, TUI Travel UK and Thomson Airways; and Janis Vargis, Vice President Corporate Communications, airBaltic.

Not everyone is a business traveller and as travel comes within the reach of new consumers at a rapid and accelerating pace, the airlines are looking to innovative ideas that will help them win the fierce battle to fill seats. One of the subjects under the spotlight will be how the passengers' onboard experience can align with that of the holiday they are embarking on.

Seat configurations, in-flight entertainment and catering all have a role to play, but how best to deploy these and other passenger experience enhancements is a hot topic that will be debated at the conference. The issue is not straightforward: the customer may be king but when weight and cost are key factors the balance between customisation and standardisation is crucial.

Technology is making a significant contribution, with developments such as the use of tablets to deliver inflight entertainment. A wide range of new solutions will be featured in the Aircraft Interiors Expo, which takes place at the Hamburg Messe from 14^th - 16^th April.

For full details of the Passenger Experience Conference visit http://www.pexconference.com

For further media information, please contact John Hony at CMS Strategic
Email [email protected]
Tel: +44-(0)20-8899-6734

SOURCE Aircraft Interiors Expo