IFSA Global EXPO Panel Preview: Jet Set, Meet Tech Set
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The third and final panel session taking place at the IFSA Global EXPO in Long Beach, California from September 9-11 will explore how AI, predictive analytics and next-generation digital platforms are transforming both back-end operations and the passenger experience.
PAX International and PAX Tech Managing Editor Jane Hobson will moderate the panel, which is titled “Jet Set, Meet Tech Set” and will include representatives from Virgin Atlantic, Air New Zealand, Alaska Airlines and global logistics, analytics and supply chain management firm Michael Lewis Company.
Ahead of the event, Virgin Atlantic’s Head of Inflight Services Paul E Mills teased a discussion about the carrier’s newly announced collaboration with Omnevo, which he explains is “integrating all aspects of meal and duty-free delivery so that it’s on one platform, with pre-orders, in-flight orders and loyalty all joined up together.”
“Understanding what our guests want is not a future goal. It’s a responsibility we have now.”
– Todd Traynor-Corey, Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines VP Guest Products & Experiences Todd Traynor-Corey will likely expand on the carrier’s use of AI when it comes to in-flight catering, which he mentioned as part of his keynote speech at APEX TECH earlier this year. During the session, he explained Alaska Airlines already uses data from its pre-order meal platform to refine menus and reduce waste. In future, he hopes it will enable the airline to deliver personalized recommendations before boarding.
“Understanding what our guests want is not a future goal,” he said. “It’s a responsibility we have now.”
Air New Zealand Head of Inflight Justin Koen will also join the conversation, providing an update on its current and planned use of next-generation technologies. Excitingly, in July this year, Air New Zealand announced a partnership with OpenAI to explore use cases for “improving customer self-service experiences and enabling safe, responsible integrated planning across airline maintenance and operations.”
For Eric Simon, a member of the senior leadership team at Michael Lewis Company, the focus will be on detailing how suppliers “have to be ahead of what the initiatives are with the airlines in order to deliver the innovation desired.” While predictive analytics is what’s helping logistics and distribution companies today, Simon said he will also take a deep-dive into how the supply chain could use new technologies in the next five to ten years in ways that could transform the industry.
The “Jet Set, Meet Tech Set” panel session will take place in the LBCC Breakout Room from 4:10PM until 5:00PM on September 9. To find out about the other panels taking place at the IFSA Global EXPO, click here.