FTE Global 2026

FTE Global Pioneer Awards 2026

Honouring the airports and airlines shaping the future of global air travel.

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Overview About the Awards What We’re Looking For Why Enter Key Dates Submit Entry Previous Winners

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About the FTE Global Pioneer Awards

Future Travel Experience will once again honour the world’s most forward-thinking airports and airlines with the FTE Global Pioneer Awards at FTE Global 2026. The FTE Global Pioneer Awards recognise the broader, long-term commitment of global airlines and airports that are consistently pushing the boundaries to enhance the passenger experience, drive innovation and redefine the future of air travel.

Past winners include some of the world's most influential and innovative players such as International Airlines Group, Schiphol Group, Turkish Airlines, Fraport, United Airlines, Pittsburgh International Airport, Airport Authority Hong Kong, All Nippon Airways, and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.

We are now inviting submissions from airports and airlines that have demonstrated outstanding efforts to embrace innovation, transform the passenger experience, and/or help define the future of the aviation industry. Three airports and three airlines will receive FTE Global Pioneer Award trophies at FTE Global 2026.

Let us know why your organisation deserves to win one of these prestigious awards! Submit your entry by 17 July 2026. Winners will be revealed during the FTE Global Networking Welcome Party at the Glass Cactus on 8 September 2026 in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas.

Enter the Pioneer Awards View Previous Winners

What We’re Looking For

We invite airports and airlines from across the world to nominate their organisations for outstanding efforts in the following areas. Please note, one submission can include multiple examples. For instance, your submission may include examples of how your organisation is embracing innovation to enhance operations, transform the passenger experience, and help define the future of the industry.

Embrace innovation across strategy, operations, or service design

Transform the passenger experience at any stage of the journey

Define the future of the aviation industry through new thinking, bold ideas, or technology leadership

We’re particularly interested in entries that demonstrate measurable or clearly articulated progress in areas such as: Operational Efficiency, Customer Experience, Commercial Performance, and/or Sustainability.

Submissions can reflect achievements over the past 12 months, including organisational change, digital transformation, process improvements, customer and staff enhancement initiatives, infrastructure upgrades, unique service propositions, and more.

Three airports and three airlines will be selected to receive FTE Global Pioneer Awards trophies. All submissions will be reviewed by the FTE team and select members of the FTE Advisory Board, complemented by extensive desk research by the FTE team.

Why You Should Enter the FTE Global Pioneer Awards

The FTE Global Pioneer Awards recognise and celebrate the most pioneering airports and airlines globally that are embracing innovation and transforming the passenger experience through new services, technologies, and operational improvements.

Showcase your achievements

Tell everyone about your success!

Gain PR opportunities

Let your innovation shine in the spotlight.

Inspire the industry

Share bold ideas and push boundaries.

Organisation-wide recognition

Celebrate your organisation’s dedication and progress.

Generate new business

Connect with new partners and clients.

FTE Global Pioneer Awards winners will be recognised at FTE Global 2026

Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas – 8 to 10 September 2026

Submit Your Entry

Key Dates

Deadline

17 July 2026

Judging

August 2026

Shortlist

August 2026

Winners Revealed

8 September 2026

FTE Global 2026

Submit Your Entry for the FTE Global Pioneer Awards 2026

Complete the form below to nominate your organisation. Showcase your passenger experience transformations on our global stage.

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Name*

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Job title*

Company Name*

Email*

Contact number*

Which category would you like to enter?*

Airline Pioneer Award (open to airlines only)

Airport Pioneer Award (open to airports only)

Please note, this category is open only to airlines.

Please note, this category is open only to airports.

Please describe your organisation’s most impactful achievements over the past 12 months.*

We’re inviting you to showcase how your organisation is embracing innovation, transforming the passenger experience, and/or helping to define the future of the aviation industry. This may include improvements in Operational Efficiency, Customer Experience, Commercial Performance, and/or Sustainability, as well as standout programmes, projects, or cultural initiatives that reflect your organisation’s innovation, leadership and ambition. Please provide as many examples as possible.

Please provide any available evidence or data that supports the impact of your organisation’s efforts.*

This might include performance metrics, awards, media coverage, or passenger satisfaction results.

In your own words, why do you believe your organisation deserves to be recognised as an FTE Pioneer?*

Would you like to provide any links to relevant materials for the judges to review (e.g. PDFs, web pages, videos)?

Add as many as needed, using the '+' button

If your organisation is shortlisted, will a senior representative be available to attend the awards ceremony at FTE Global 2026 (8 to 10 September, Dallas, Texas)?*

Yes

Would you like to subscribe to our weekly Future Travel Experience newsletter?

Yes

Previous Award Winners

IAG, AAHK, ANA, AMS, United and DFW among winners in FTE Global 2025 Awards, plus Transformation Power List nominees recognised

International Airlines Group, Airport Authority Hong Kong, All Nippon Airways, Schiphol, United, and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport were recognised in the FTE Global 2025 Awards ceremony.

View Winners

IAG, FRA, Turkish Airlines, AMS, United and PIT among winners in FTE Global 2024 Awards, plus Transformation Power List nominees recognised

International Airlines Group, Fraport, Turkish Airlines, Schiphol, United and Pittsburgh International Airport were recognised in the FTE Global 2024 Awards ceremony, which took place on 29 October in Los Angeles.

View Winners

FTE GLOBAL 2026

Ready to join the industry's most influential innovation event?

Join airlines, airports, vendors, startups and industry leaders in Dallas for three days of networking, learning and business opportunities.

Created with the support of the FTE Advisory Board

Questions? Contact our team

Event Partners and Sponsors

Vital Event Information

Future Travel Experience Global 2026 will bring together airlines, airports, government agencies, vendors, startups, terminal designers, architects, ground handlers, destination partners, and other key travel industry stakeholders to collaborate and be inspired to transform passenger experience, business performance, and sustainability strategies.

Event:: Future Travel Experience Global 2026
Date:: 8–10 September 2026
Location:: Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas, United States