Thank you to the organizers of the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) for this powerful contribution on International Women’s Day (IWD). AIX will take place on 28-30 May in Hamburg, Germany.

A celebration of the social, economic, political, and cultural achievements of women globally, International Women’s Day has become an institutional hallmark around the world. It’s also a day of activism, spreading awareness of the ongoing push for gender equality.

Marked annually on 8th March, the day serves as a reminder of the progress made towards gender equality while acknowledging the hurdles that still need to be overcome. From advocating for equal pay to challenging societal norms and stereotypes, International Women’s Day amplifies the voices of women around the world to create a more inclusive and equitable future for all genders.

In this Op-Ed, AIX explores perspectives on International Women’s Day and the future of the aircraft interiors sector, featuring insights from influential women focusing on their experiences, successes, and challenges.

Exploring perspectives on International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day serves as a crucial point of reflection for women across the aircraft interiors industry, offering a moment to both celebrate progress and acknowledge the ongoing journey towards gender equality.

Maria Kafel-Bentkowska, Head of CMF at PriestmanGoode, articulates the significance of recognising past struggles: “Women have had to fight for the rights they have today. I definitely see the positive in celebrating the achievements of women in the past who have helped us reach this point. For me, it’s about celebrating our achievements and seeing how far we have come.” Her words encapsulate the resilience and determination of women who have paved the way for greater opportunities.

Melissa Raudebaugh, General Manager, Inflight Service, Fleet and Galley Planning at Delta, adds to the discussion by highlighting the multifaceted nature of International Women’s Day: “International Women’s Day helps us remember how far we’ve come for parity in the workforce but also what still needs to be done.”

For Raudebaugh, the day serves as both a marker of progress and a reminder of the work that lies ahead. It’s a time to connect with peers, share experiences, and find strength in solidarity. Raudebaugh underscores the importance of collective support and understanding, continuing: “It’s nice to see what other women in the industry are doing and understand their thoughts and that many others have the same feelings and views as you do.”

Emphasising the broader impact of awareness campaigns like International Women’s Day, Anna Nosworthy, CMF Creative Lead at JPA Design London, explains: “Any and all efforts to bring awareness through campaigns like this, is benefiting us all.” Her perspective highlights the ripple effect of initiatives aimed at fostering inclusivity and gender equality. By amplifying diverse voices and experiences, such campaigns contribute to a more inclusive industry culture.

This shift is being demonstrated by schemes such as 25by2025, led by IATA, a global initiative aimed at enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the aviation sector. Launched in 2019, it educates on the importance of implementing best practices to promote gender diversity. With over 200 influential industry signatories, the initiative has already begun to drive positive change, such as a significant increase in the number of female pilots and a rise in the percentage of women in senior roles within the aviation industry.

Fostering success with gender diversity

Experts in the aircraft interiors industry emphasise the critical importance of gender diversity in the sector. According to Kafel-Bentkowska, diversity isn’t just about filling quotas, it’s about enriching perspectives and driving success. She states, “In any industry, a diverse perspective is key to the success of projects, whether this is through gender, mobility, cultural difference or experience. Spaces and experiences should be designed for all, and as part of that, everyone’s requirements should be considered.”

Echoing this sentiment, Raudebaugh underscores the tangible benefits of gender diversity in aircraft interiors. She highlights how diverse teams can better cater to the needs of passengers, who represent a spectrum of genders. Raudebaugh explains, “Greater gender diversity is beneficial for everyone. Passengers on airplanes are comprised of both genders so having diversity in those who design and engineer the interiors can best represent what customers want and need.”

She adds: “Different perspectives in the design phase help to make sure all are considered in the final product. Leg rests come to mind as an example. As we think about adding leg rests to our premium cabin seats, are they effective? I love a leg rest, but my tall counterparts can’t really use one on tighter pitched seats, so is it worth the additional weight and maybe more discomfort for some?  Gaining these perspectives early can really help design an ideal cabin for all.”

For Nosworthy, diversity isn’t just about representation; it’s about fostering innovation and dynamism within the workplace. She emphasises, “Greater diversity brings a more varied and dynamic work arena. This can only be a positive thing for any industry.” In an industry as complex and fast-paced as aircraft interiors and wider aviation, diverse perspectives can lead to more creative problem-solving and innovation, ultimately driving progress and success.

This sentiment is mirrored by real data exploring the impact of gender diversity on business performance. For example, research from McKinsey and co. found that companies in the top quartile for executive gender diversity were 25% more likely to generate greater profits. This reinforces the critical importance of fostering gender diversity within organisations, not only for promoting inclusivity but also for driving tangible business success.

Charo Medina Peris, Head of Cabin Products and Digital Services at British Airways, shares her insights on how embracing gender diversity can both benefit recruitment and foster a positive organisational culture. She highlights: “In my opinion, putting a greater focus on diversity attracts more people to an organisation, creates a culture where you can find peers you can establish deeper connections with and brings different points of view and ways of doing things that enrich us as individuals and as a collective. We know diverse teams embedded in an inclusive culture always create better results.”

A more accessible industry

Discussing the topic of improving career access, Kafel-Bentkowska says there is “a lot more interest and knowledge about CMF within the transport industry, making careers more accessible to women that are interested in pursuing a career in aviation.” She adds, “There is a perception that the industry is male-dominated, but that’s not the case.”

Kafel-Bentkowska elaborates “I’ve seen a change over the past 13 years, and it definitely feels more balanced today. Awareness and representation has grown within the industry, in part, through education. PriestmanGoode has some influence in this area, as we have been partnering with universities and educational trusts for many years. As an example, I’ve run the PG x RCA MA Textiles yearly collaboration now for the past eight years and a great deal of students learn about the industry through this project. As new generations enter this field, they bring a fresh perspective and tip the balance in this once heavily male dominating industry. My advice in general to anyone is to follow what you’re passionate about and carve out your mark.”

Similarly, Raudebaugh highlights the positive industry changes she’s witnessed over the past few decades. She explains, “I began my career as an engineer working very closely with mechanics – a world where there were very few women. But it was an opportunity to create a learning experience and prove that women are just as capable. Luckily in the last 20 years, gender diversity has come a long way and I have to hope that same young female engineer has a lot less to prove than when I started!”

Medina Peris reflects on her journey in the industry, addressing the importance of overcoming imposter syndrome and the ongoing efforts to promote diversity and inclusion within British Airways and the broader aviation sector. She emphasises, “As I moved up in the airline, I realised I had “impostor syndrome”. Since then, I’ve taken part in coaching programmes and participated in continuous training, supported by British Airways, that has helped me massively to reflect on how I operate and identify where I need to improve. It does take time and perseverance to be where you want to be, but the effort is definitively worth it.”

Medina Peris continues, “Airlines and partner suppliers, particularly in the engineering field, are making big strides to promote diversity, equity and inclusion. More female representation in senior management positions demonstrate that is possible for women to succeed in the industry and encourage long-term retention, which is something British Airways is really striving towards and putting a real focus on mentoring and coaching programmes, diversity training and fostering a culture of inclusivity and respect, are also important to attract more female talent.”

Research suggests that efforts to enhance gender diversity and increase female representation are gaining momentum in the industry. According to data from ICAO, the percentage of female aircraft maintenance engineers and technicians rose from 2.7% to 3.0% worldwide, between 2016 and 2021 – with increases being seen in all regions except the Middle East and Africa. Despite movement over the last few years, there’s still a long way to go.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we’re reminded to continue vocalising and promoting the remarkable achievements of women in every corner of the aircraft interiors sector. Through the insights of industry professionals like Maria Kafel-Bentkowska, Melissa Raudebaugh, Anna Nosworthy, and Charo Medina Peris we see the resilience, progress, and ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusivity. Their voices echo the importance of fostering gender diversity and breaking down barriers for future generations in aircraft interiors and beyond.

About the authors: 

The Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) is the world’s leading marketplace for airlines and the supply chain to meet. We bring the whole industry together so you can explore and source the latest products, find practical solutions, collaborate and build relationships with the right people, find the best products to enhance your cabin interiors, and discover those hidden gems to create the ultimate cabin and passenger experience.

All images credited to AIX