World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo (WTCE) has announced the launch of The Journey Circle. This brand-new advisory network of senior airline and hospitality professionals is dedicated to shaping and steering the future of inflight catering, comfort and passenger experience.

Launching ahead of WTCE 2026, which returns from 14-16 April 2026 at the Hamburg Messe, The Journey Circle has been established to strengthen collaboration between WTCE and the airline community.

The initiative will provide a direct platform for airline experts to share ideas, insights and challenges, ensuring that WTCE continues to reflect the evolving needs and realities of the onboard services industry.

The founding members of The Journey Circle bring together extensive experience across inflight catering, service delivery and customer experience:

• Simone Walli, Catering Manager, Culinary Art & F&B Onboard Concepts – Austrian Airlines
• Samson Arega, Group Vice President Customer Experience – Ethiopian Airlines
• Tobias Ögren, Head of Inflight Product & Catering – Sunclass Airlines
• Louise Leaupepe, Inflight Experience Senior Manager, Commercial – Riyadh Air

Each member has been selected for their deep expertise and strategic insight into key areas of inflight hospitality, including catering innovation, passenger comfort and sustainability.

The Journey Circle will play a key role in advising on content themes, innovation areas and partnership opportunities for WTCE 2026 and beyond. Its collective insights will help guide how the event supports both airlines and suppliers in delivering exceptional onboard experiences.

WTCE is back and bigger

Launching alongside a series of new and enhanced show features, WTCE 2026 is returning with an expanded show floor, opening a third hall, Hall A2, which will be exclusively dedicated to gategroup and its onboard brands, underscoring the industry’s continued growth and innovation.

The event will showcase three themed trails designed to guide attendees towards the most forward-thinking suppliers and solutions. The Steps to Sustainability Trail will highlight innovations across the supply chain that support environmentally conscious production and operations.

The Wellbeing Walk-Through will focus on the holistic passenger experience, spotlighting products and services that help alleviate the side effects of long-haul travel. Finally, the Tech Trail will return, connecting buyers with suppliers who are transforming inflight retail and catering through data, digital and and automation.  

New show areas will further enhance the visitor experience, including a dedicated Drinks Zone in Hall A4, featuring a mix of emerging and established beverage brands, as well as a First-Time Exhibitor Village in Hall A1, offering a first look at new flavours and ideas shaping the future of onboard food, beverage and amenities.

WTCE‘s Event Manager, Shona Thomson said: “The onboard experience has changed from a simple offering to a critical driver of airline differentiation and revenue. WTCE 2026 has been designed to reflect these priorities through its new show features including the Drinks Zone, the First Time Exhibitor Village and the returning themed trails.

“The launch of The Journey Circle will build on this development, ensuring WTCE continues to evolve alongside the industry to remain closely connected to airline’s priorities, helping to steer the future direction of the event and the wider inflight experience.”

WTCE will once again be co-located with the industry-renowned Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX). Together, the two events create a comprehensive marketplace for cabin interiors, inflight services and passenger experience innovations. The co-location provides opportunities for networking and collaboration, ensuring visitors can explore every aspect of the passenger experience in one place.

Featured image credited to WTCE