Air France-KLM Group Chief Executive Officer Ben Smith was awarded the esteemed 2025 APEX CEO Lifetime Achievement Award at the APEX/IFSA Awards Ceremony on 30 October 2024 during the APEX/IFSA Global EXPO in Long Beach.
Presented by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) this award celebrates industry leaders who have dedicated their careers to enhancing the passenger experience and driving transformative change in the aviation sector.
The APEX CEO Lifetime Achievement Award is a highly exclusive recognition with Smith being only the seventh aviation leader to receive this honor in APEX’s five-decade history. His selection for this prestigious award stems from his extensive experience and significant contributions to the airline industry.
Smith spent two decades at Air Canada, where he held various leadership positions, including Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, and later President, Airlines and Chief Operating Officer. Early in his career, Smith demonstrated his business acumen by establishing and successfully running his own retail corporate travel agency for eight years.
Since assuming the role of CEO at Air France-KLM in August 2018, Smith has been instrumental in steering the airline group through challenging times and implementing strategic initiatives. Under his leadership, Air France-KLM has continued to innovate and improve its services, focusing on customer satisfaction and operational excellence.
“Air France – KLM Group CEO Ben Smith’s contributions to aviation have been nothing short of groundbreaking, marked by a visionary approach and an unwavering dedication to excellence,” APEX Group CEO Dr. Joe Leader stated.
“Under his leadership, the Air France-KLM Group has achieved extraordinary milestones, from overcoming complex organizational challenges to setting new standards for environmental responsibility that have inspired airlines worldwide. Ben’s passion for transforming the passenger experience and his forward-thinking vision have reshaped what it means to lead in our field. APEX stands deeply honored to recognize Ben Smith with the APEX CEO Lifetime Achievement Award, celebrating a legacy that will guide aviation’s future for years to come.”
Of his win, Smith said, “I am deeply honored to receive the APEX CEO Lifetime Achievement Award. This recognition is a testament to the incredible work and dedication of the entire Air France-KLM team. Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to work alongside passionate professionals who share a commitment to excellence in aviation. Thank you to APEX for this acknowledgment, which only reinforces our determination to continue raising the bar in airline service and performance.”
About the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX)
As a global non-profit and one of the world’s largest international airline associations, APEX accelerates the industry with the backing of nearly every major airline and valued supplier. APEX reinvests all its resources to serving its members, strengthening the worldwide airline industry, advancing thought-leadership, fostering business opportunities via events, developing global initiatives, setting key airline standards, and highlighting well-deserved recognition across our industry. In conjunction with both the International Flight Services Association (IFSA) and Future Travel Experience (FTE), APEX serves the full spectrum of the end-to-end travel experience.
About the International Flight Services Association (IFSA)
The International Flight Services Association (IFSA) is a global professional association serving the needs and interests of airline and railway personnel, caterers and suppliers who provide onboard services on regularly scheduled travel routes. Under the umbrella of APEX (Airline Passenger Experience Association) serving every major airline in the world, IFSA is dedicated to the advancement of the art and science of the multi- billion dollar inflight and railway onboard service industry.
Featured image credited to Air France – KLM Group
