John Horsfall earns dual recognition at PAX Awards
This is a special feature from the May 2025 Post-WTCE/Awards issue of PAX International on page 44.
John Horsfall celebrates double win in Hamburg, receiving accolades for Best First Class and Business Class Bedding/Soft Products North America for its work with American Airlines and Aeromexico, respectively
John Horsfall celebrated a double win at the 2025 PAX Readership Awards, receiving accolades for Best First Class and Business Class Bedding/Soft Products North America for its work with American Airlines and Aeromexico, respectively. The two awards highlight the company’s dedication to both innovation and sustainability in the airline textile space.
The recognition also marks a significant milestone for the company’s ReThread initiative, which promotes sustainable onboard textiles.
“American Airlines First Class Bedding was the first comprehensive soft product program to use our ReThread labelling as part of the airline’s own brand story,” Kirsty Sumner, Product Manager at John Horsfall, tells PAX International. “This validates the approach we have been advocating for several years, which is that sustainability does not have to come at the expense of good design.”
Kirsty Sumner, Product Manager, John Horsfall
Both award-winning programs were driven by a close, collaborative process with the airlines and design partners. The Aeromexico project, in particular, stands out for its pace and synergy, Sumner says.
“It was one of the fastest and most collaborative projects we have ever been involved in—seven months from start to launch,” Sumner said. “An airline bedding item must survive industrial laundry processing unlike anything made for domestic use and John Horsfall has the knowledge and expertise to design high quality, durable textile products that are still beautiful, creative and, most importantly, enhance the customer experience.”
Sumner also notes that the wins generated immediate attention at WTCE last month, bringing new interest and opening conversations about design-led sustainability in onboard products.
“Existing customers are always keen to see what products win awards and we have already had several conversations with customers about what we can potentially enter into next year’s awards,” she says.
Innovation is stitched into John Horsfall’s future plans.
“Collaboration and innovation are part of the DNA of John Horsfall,” says Sumner. “We will continue to strive to be a trusted supplier of premium bedding and soft furnishings to the world’s airlines.”
John Horsfall was awarded Best Business Class Bedding/Soft Products North America for its collaborative project with Aeromexico
American Airlines First Class Bedding was the first comprehensive soft product program using John Horsfall’s ReThread labelling as part of the airline’s brand story
