In October, representatives from across the global airline industry gathered in Long Beach, California to attend the 2024 Future Travel Experience (FTE) Global Exposition. From airports to airlines, the TSA and other government representatives to aviation media, consultants, startups and suppliers, this event focused on how technology can improve operational efficiencies and provide customers with a greater airport experience.
And one of three finalists for the event’s most innovative airline award? Envoy Air.
Also referred to as the “Consumer Electronics Show of aviation,” the FTE Global Expo is one of the largest gatherings to showcase technology in aviation. This year’s event brought more than 3,000 attendees to the Long Beach Convention Center, representing more than 150 global airlines and airports.
Alongside a large exhibition hall, the event also featured two stages and a keynote speaker area for attendees to hear from industry experts on a wide range of technology topics.
Representatives from across the aviation industry, including oneworld® partner airlines such as Alaska Airlines and British Airways, took to these stages to share knowledge with attendees, including panel discussions on the complexities of implementing biometrics; new artificial intelligence tools to assist customers; predictive analysis tools to support airline operational resilience and traffic management; autonomous equipment and automation; accessibility features for customers; and much more.
The event concluded with the FTE Innovate Awards to recognize the most innovative airline and airport. With three finalists named in each category – Alaska Airlines, Envoy Air and Southwest Airlines for airlines and CVG, DCA/IAD and TPA for airports – representatives from each airline and airport took to the stage to share their innovation and compete for the award via a panel of judges and an audience vote.
Envoy’s most innovative concept? Our partnership with WHILL to provide autonomous wheelchair services at Miami (MIA) and Los Angeles (LAX). With more than 50,000 successful wheelchair pushes with zero safety incidents, our ongoing partnership with WHILL provides customers with greater independence, improves the airport experience and allows our Customer Assistance Representative (CAR) teams to focus on customers with greater needs.
Envoy Vice President, LAX & West Region, Deesha Desai presented on behalf of Envoy, with WHILL North America President, Tres Izzard and WHILL North America Vice President of Business Development, Shane Bogni in attendance to answer follow-up questions from attendees at the WHILL booth and during the event.
While the FTE Innovate Awards ultimately went to Alaska Airlines and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, this event showcased how Envoy continues to be at the forefront of innovation in the aviation industry.
To our LAX and MIA CAR teams, and everyone who supports our WHILL partnership, thank you for caring for our customers on their journey.
Read more and see photos from this year’s 2024 FTE Global Expo on futuretravelexperience.com.
