The Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) 2025 took place from April 8 to 10 in Hamburg, bringing together the industry's leading names in cabin design and passenger experience. While this year's edition did not showcase groundbreaking technological innovations or major announcements, it confirmed several strong trends within the premium segment: increased personalization, privatization of spaces, and differentiation within travel classes. Here's our analysis of the standout presentations observed at this key event in the aviation industry.
One of the most notable presentations at the show came from Thompson Aero Seating, which unveiled its VantageNOVA First. This evolution of the VantageNOVA platform aligns with a growing trend: offering a distinct premium experience in the first rows of Business Class, creating an intermediary segment between classic Business Class and First Class.
The unique feature of the VantageNOVA First concept lies in its central "Star" configuration. This design allows four passengers traveling together to gather around a large shared table, transforming a typically private space into an interactive social area. This ingenious setup includes secondary "buddy seats" positioned opposite the main seats, as well as a system of movable partitions that allow adjacent suites to be connected or isolated as needed.
The product also stands out with its high-end finish: premium leather, customizable consoles, sophisticated ambient lighting, 32-inch IFE monitors, and suite doors available in both manual and automatic versions.
The lateral areas also offer various configurations, including herringbone or reverse herringbone layouts for solo travelers, each equipped with a "buddy seat" for interaction while ensuring a more spacious sleeping arrangement.
The idea of offering differentiated seating in the first row is not new. The Etihad Airways Residence in First Class, for example, offers a private suite with a lounge, bedroom, and bathroom on its A380s, providing an ultra-luxurious experience at the pinnacle of First Class. More recently, differentiation has also emerged in Business Class: Some airlines are enhancing comfort in the first row, sometimes implicitly, as seen with Air France's new Business Class or JetBlue's Mint Studio, where the space available is significantly larger than in subsequent rows; sometimes explicitly, as with Lufthansa's Allegris Business Class, which offers fully enclosed suites with a door in the first row, while the subsequent seats remain open.
STELIA Aerospace presented an updated version of its RENDEZ-VOUS® seat, two years after its initial launch. Without revolutionizing its concept, the French manufacturer has refined the passenger experience through several targeted improvements.
The seat retains its staggered layout and residential-inspired design, with two key configurations: the central "honeymoon" version, which allows couples to create a double bed, and the "solo" version, prioritizing privacy for business travelers. In both cases, direct aisle access—now a standard feature in Business Class—is maintained.
The updates primarily focus on overall ergonomics and enhanced privacy. The lateral partitions have been redesigned, and the addition of a generously sized sliding door further enhances the sense of private space. The user interface has also been revamped, with a more intuitive console and a redesigned dining table for improved stability and functionality.
In terms of comfort, STELIA focuses on a generously sized seat integrated into a flexible structure, inspired by domestic furniture. This approach aims to replicate "a home-like sensation"—an ambition that will be evaluated under real-world conditions.
The manufacturer also highlights its eco-friendly approach, using lighter and recyclable materials, a trend widely seen at this edition of AIX. The product's modularity is also emphasized, with confirmed compatibility for both Airbus and Boeing wide-body fuselage cabins.
Recaro Aircraft Seating introduced its new R7 Business Class seat, labeled as “next-generation”, although it leans more toward evolution than disruption. This model is positioned in the customizable mini-suite segment, while maintaining Recaro's industrial DNA: space optimization and operational efficiency.
The R7 integrates the now-established features of contemporary Business Class: optional sliding doors, multiple individual adjustments, enhanced visual separation, and high-quality materials. The meticulous finish reflects a desire to align the product with premium expectations, without pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
One of the R7's main strengths lies in its intelligent layout, which maximizes cabin efficiency while maintaining personal space—an essential compromise for airlines focused on economic performance. This approach makes the product particularly suitable for narrow fuselages or dense configurations, where every inch matters.
The 2025 edition of the Aircraft Interiors Expo confirms a key trend in the premium segment: the growing importance of private space, coupled with flexibility that allows for social interaction when desired. While no revolution marked this edition, the presented developments show a mature industry that is now refining its offerings rather than reinventing them.
Differentiation within travel classes is emerging as a strategic lever for airlines, creating intermediate sub-segments that maximize the value of the most coveted spaces. At the same time, manufacturers continue their efforts to intelligently densify cabins, seeking a delicate balance between economic profitability and premium experience.
STELIA's home-like comfort approach and Thompson's social modularity reflect a premium aviation experience that moves away from traditional formality to adopt codes that better align with contemporary traveler expectations.
In a context where differentiation is becoming subtler, it remains to be seen which innovations will truly make a lasting impact on global fleets and transform the premium air travel experience in the long term.
Featured image by STELIA Aerospace
