What Future Travel Experience does

Future Travel Experience (FTE) is a UK-based media, events, and community company founded in 2006 that serves the global air transport industry with a focus on airline and airport passenger experience, digital transformation, and commercial performance. The company's core product is a portfolio of branded annual conferences and exhibitions — FTE Global (held at the Gaylord Texan in Dallas, marking its 20th anniversary in 2026), APEX FTE EMEA and APEX FTE Ancillary & Retailing (both in Dublin), and APEX FTE EXPO Asia (in Singapore) — supplemented by the FTE World Innovation Summit and Aviation & Robotics Summit. FTE monetizes primarily through event sponsorship and exhibition fees (headline, diamond, platinum, and gold tiers), working group membership fees from member airlines and airports, conference registration, and digital content offerings including a podcast, webinars, think tanks, and research publications such as the Commercial Collaboration Playbook developed in partnership with Munich Airport. Its customer base spans commercial airlines, airport operators, technology vendors, startups, terminal designers, and ground handlers globally, with working groups and self-issued award programs (APAC Pioneer Awards, Innovate Awards, Ancillary & Retailing Awards, World Airline Ancillary Awards) institutionalizing its role as a convener of cross-industry collaboration.

Name

Future Travel Experience

Legal name

Future Travel Experience

Website

https://futuretravelexperience.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Future Travel Experience is a UK-based media, events, and community company that runs flagship aviation conferences, working groups, awards, and digital content serving global airlines, airports, and aviation technology vendors since 2006.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Industry Media and Events

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Travel & Accommodation Coordination (HSACADAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Meetings & Group Travel Management (Corporate/MICE) (THALANAH)

Keywords

• Aviation industry events
• Airport innovation conferences
• Airline industry media
• Aviation working groups
• Passenger experience content

Headquarters

HQ city

Horsley

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Event Sponsorship and Exhibition: FTE generates revenue primarily through sponsorships and exhibition fees at its portfolio of events. Companies pay to become headline partners, diamond/platinum/gold sponsors, and exhibitors at FTE Global, APEX FTE EMEA, APEX FTE Ancillary & Retailing, and APEX FTE EXPO Asia.
2. Working Group Memberships: FTE operates member-only working groups (FTE Digital Innovation & Startup Hub, FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group, FTE World Ancillary & Retailing Working Group) that generate recurring membership fees from participating airlines and airports.
3. Conference Attendance and Registration: FTE charges registration fees for conference attendance at its events, with some events such as the APEX FTE Asia Expo described as free-to-attend, suggesting a mixed model.
4. Digital Content and Thought Leadership: FTE publishes playbooks, white papers, and research reports that may be available through paid access or used to drive event and membership revenue.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Future Travel Experience is an aviation industry media, events, and community company that organizes large-scale conferences and exhibitions (FTE Global, APEX FTE EMEA, APEX FTE Ancillary & Retailing, APEX FTE EXPO Asia) and operates member-based working groups connecting airlines, airports, startups, and technology vendors. It also publishes strategic playbooks, white papers, and editorial content focused on passenger experience, digital transformation, ancillary revenue, and operational innovation in air transport.

Product overview

Future Travel Experience operates as an industry media and events company providing a portfolio of conferences, publications, and communities focused on air transport innovation. The core offering consists of flagship events (FTE Global, APEX FTE EXPO Asia, APEX FTE EMEA, APEX FTE Ancillary & Retailing, Aviation & Robotics Summit, FTE World Innovation Summit), complemented by working groups (FTE Digital Innovation & Startup Hub, FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group, FTE World Ancillary & Retailing Working Group), content platforms (FTE Podcast, FTE Webinars, Think Tanks), and strategic publications like the Commercial Collaboration Playbook developed with Munich Airport. These products collectively serve the aviation industry's need for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation across passenger experience, digital transformation, sustainability, and operational excellence.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• FTE Global Flagship annual conference and exhibition event, described as the 'CES of Aviation', bringing together airlines, airports, vendors, startups, and industry leaders for three days of networking, learning, and business opportunities. Features multiple conference tracks covering Future Airports, Digital & Innovation, Future Trends & Customer Journeys, Smart Ramp & Baggage, Ancillary & Retailing, Design & Development, and Air Mobility X.
• APEX FTE EXPO Asia Asia-Pacific-focused expo connecting vendors with airline and airport executives to transform the end-to-end passenger journey across the region.
• APEX FTE Ancillary & Retailing Event focused on empowering the airline sector to profit from collaborative digital retailing opportunities, including the Commercial Collaboration Playbook initiative developed with Munich Airport.
• APEX FTE EMEA Gathering of air transport's digital and innovation leaders, creative designers and progressive minds who reimagine travel together.
• FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub A community platform connecting airlines, airports, and startups to foster digital innovation and collaboration across the aviation industry, operating via a corporate partnership model with member-only meetings.
• FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group Industry working group focused on the future of baggage handling, proof of concept reviews, and knowledge sharing among aviation stakeholders.
• FTE World Ancillary & Retailing Working Group Working group addressing airport retailing and ancillary revenue opportunities for airlines and airports.
• FTE World Innovation Summit Summit focused on world-class innovation in air transport.
• Aviation & Robotics Summit Summit addressing robotics and autonomous systems in aviation operations.
• Commercial Collaboration Playbook Blueprint developed in partnership with Munich Airport to provide aviation industry stakeholders with guidance for creating new revenue streams through collaborative approaches, including an airport-led, partner-enabled operating model.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30 airlines and airports nominated for FTE APAC Pioneer Awards 2025
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered headline partner, flagship, diamond sponsor, platinum sponsor, travel connectivity partner, gold sponsor and core.

• DFW International Airportheadline partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 September 2026Dallas Fort Worth International Airport serves as the Headline Partner for FTE Global 2026 (8–10 September 2026, Dallas, Texas), collaborating with FTE on conference programming, hosting guided tours of DFW, and providing executive speakers including CEO Chris McLaughlin. DFW's involvement underscores FTE's airport-operator partnership model.
• Southwest Airlinesheadline partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 September 2026Southwest Airlines is the Headline Partner for FTE Global 2026, hosting the FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub meeting at Southwest HQ and providing executive speakers including COO Andrew Watterson. The partnership positions Southwest as a central venue host and thought leadership contributor.
• Dallas Love Field Airportheadline partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 September 2026Dallas Love Field Airport serves as a Headline Partner for FTE Global 2026, with Director of Aviation Patrick Carreno listed as a conference speaker, contributing to the regional aviation leadership representation at the event.
• APEX (Airline Passenger Experience Association)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 September 2026APEX (Airline Passenger Experience Association) is FTE's primary industry association partner, co-branding multiple events including APEX FTE EMEA, APEX FTE Ancillary & Retailing, and APEX FTE EXPO Asia. Dr. Joe Leader serves as Group CEO of APEX/FTE/IFSA, reflecting the integrated partnership structure.
• Synectdiamond sponsorTechnology or Integration · 8 September 2026Synect is the Diamond Sponsor for FTE Global 2026 and sponsors a dedicated session ('Making the checkpoint of the future a reality') at the conference, positioning its wayfinding and digital signage technology within the FTE event context.
• Publicis Sapientplatinum sponsorTechnology or Integration · 8 September 2026Publicis Sapient is a Platinum Sponsor of FTE Global 2026, contributing to conference sessions on digital transformation and customer experience strategy.
• TravelXplatinum sponsorTechnology or Integration · 8 September 2026TravelX is a Platinum Sponsor of FTE Global 2026, bringing its airline retailing and offer/order technology expertise to the event's exhibition floor.
• Vodafone Travel eSIMtravel connectivity partnerGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 September 2026Vodafone Travel eSIM serves as the Travel Connectivity Partner for FTE Global 2026, providing connectivity solutions context for the event's digital transformation programming.
• Assaiagold sponsorTechnology or Integration · 8 September 2026Assaia, a provider of AI-powered apron analytics and turnaround management solutions, is a Gold Sponsor of FTE Global 2026 and participates in sessions on smart apron and baggage handling automation.
• Ernst & Young (EY)gold sponsorTechnology or Integration · 8 September 2026Ernst & Young is a Gold Sponsor of FTE Global 2026, contributing executive speaker Nicole Williams (Executive Director) to conference programming on innovation and transformation.
• Munich AirportflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 June 2026Munich Airport partnered with FTE to develop the Commercial Collaboration Playbook, launched at APEX FTE Ancillary & Retailing in Dublin on 9–11 June 2026. The Playbook addresses structural non-aviation revenue gaps and proposes an airport-led, partner-enabled operating model. Munich Airport's Chief Commercial Officer contributed the strategic framework.
• Munich Airport International (MAI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 June 2026Munich Airport International (MAI) subsequently launched a White Paper to translate the Commercial Collaboration Playbook's principles into practical, size-agnostic guidance for airports of all types, extending the partnership's impact beyond the initial Playbook.
• IFSA (International Flight Services Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFSA co-locates its Global EXPO with FTE Global 2026 in Dallas, Texas, creating a combined event for airline catering, hospitality, and passenger services professionals alongside FTE's broader aviation innovation audience.
• FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub MemberscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub operates as a member-only community with corporate partners from airlines, airports, and startups. Southwest Airlines hosted the in-person members meeting at its headquarters during FTE Global 2026.
• FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group MemberscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe FTE Baggage Innovation Working Group brings together airports (including Orlando International Airport, Heathrow, DFW) and airlines to collaborate on baggage handling innovation, Proof of Concept reviews, and knowledge sharing. Hosted in-person meetings at major airports.
• FTE World Ancillary & Retailing Working GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe FTE World Ancillary & Retailing Working Group focuses on collaborative digital retailing opportunities across airlines and airports, with participation from Munich Airport, Heathrow, and AJet as referenced in Commercial Collaboration Playbook coverage.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Skift: Travel industry media and events company operating Skift Forum, research subscriptions, and a daily news brand. Comparable business model (events + subscription content + research) applied to the broader travel industry, making it a useful cross-vertical peer for FTE's media-and-events franchise.
• Aviation Week Network (Informa): Global aviation media, events, and intelligence brand within Informa's aviation portfolio, including MRO conferences, AeroDef, and award programs. Larger incumbent operating across the same buyer base with broader portfolio overlap to FTE's event and content model.

Direct peers

• CAPA - Centre for Aviation: Aviation-focused research, news, and data company serving airlines, airports, and suppliers with subscription content and executive events. Closely comparable to FTE's mix of paid intelligence and aviation industry events targeting the same airline/airport buyer.
• Routes: Operates the leading aviation route development conferences and awards (World Routes, Routes Asia, Routes Americas), bringing together airlines, airports, and tourism authorities. Direct competitor to FTE in the aviation industry events space with a comparable sponsorship/membership revenue model.

Others

• International Air Transport Association (IATA): The principal airline trade association operating industry conferences (Industry Affairs, World Financial Symposium), training, and standards. Overlapping buyer base (airline and airport executives) with a comparable content-and-events franchise, though driven by association rather than commercial sponsorship.
• Airports Council International (ACI): Global airport industry association running the Airport Exchange conference and World Annual General Assembly. Targets airports directly and represents the institutional, association-led alternative to FTE's commercial events and working group model.
• APEX (Airline Passenger Experience Association): FTE's primary industry association partner and co-brander of three flagship events, with shared Group CEO leadership (Dr. Joe Leader). Overlapping audience and adjacent mission in airline passenger experience, certifications, and awards - more partner than competitor but materially comparable.

Emerging players

• Phocuswright: Travel research and events company running Phocuswright Conference and producing paid research across the online travel stack. Comparable business model (events + paid research/subscription intelligence) but focused on the travel distribution/consumer side rather than airline operations and passenger experience.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/futuretravelx
• YouTubeyoutube.com/futuretravelexperience
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/future-travel-experience

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Future Travel Experience