September 10 2026 | Events

In photos: FTE Global 2026

By PAX Tech Magazine Staff, in Dallas, Texas, USA

SAVE PRINT

Last updated: Thursday, September 10, 6:55 p.m. CDT. Find updates below.

FTE Global day 2 panel "Physical AI, smart environments and the future of travel" featuring panelists (from left) Dave Copps, Serial Entrepreneur, Technologist, Futurist, and CEO & Co-founder, Worlds; Nicole Austin, Innovation Program Manager, Alaska Airlines; Kevin Kleist, Head of Emerging Trends, Southwest Airlines; and moderator Paul Puopolo, Executive Vice President of Innovation, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport

FTE Global has officially wrapped up in Dallas, Texas, closing out the 20th anniversary edition of the event regarded as “the CES for aviation."

For this landmark 20th anniversary edition, FTE Global brought the industry together under the theme “Transforming Travel Together,” highlighting the industry’s growing recognition that the biggest opportunities come from collaboration across airlines, airports, technology partners, government agencies and innovators throughout the aviation ecosystem.

“The focus was very much on how the industry moves forward together,” Ryan Ghee, Chief Operating Officer, Future Travel Experience, told PAX Tech.

This week, attendees saw a major focus on AI, automation, digital transformation, CX, sustainability, future mobility, alongside passenger experience and next-generation journeys.

What happened this week

9:00 am – Welcome address
FTE Global 2026 officially kicked off with a welcome address on September 9 at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Dallas. The address was delivered by Max Gosney, Managing Director, Future Travel Experience and was immediately followed by the Airport CEO Fireside Chat "Building the future of travel: Resilience and innovation at DFW Airport," a conversation with Chris Mclaughlin, CEO of DFW International Airport.

Other keynote speakers kicking off the conference included Nicole Huang, SVP Fleet Experience at Virgin Voyages who spoke on the future of hospitality in the age of AI, and Alex Wilcox, CEO & Co-Founder of JSX.

10: 00 am – Expo floor opens
Following the morning's keynote addresses, the exhibition hall officially opened to attendees, unveiling the latest innovations, live demonstrations, technology showcases and products from across the aviation industry.

The ribbon cutting marked the official show floor opening, which coincided with a networking break and a light breakfast, allowing visitors to connect with exhibitors and speak with fellow attendees before a full day of inspiring conference sessions and business meetings

The official show floor opening coincided with a networking break and a light breakfast, allowing visitors to connect with exhibitors and speak with fellow attendees before a full day of inspiring conference sessions and business meetings.

10:30 am – Tech & Innovation Briefing on the exhibition floor
FTE Global's Tech & Innovation Briefings on the exhibition floor allow attendees to join guided tours and meet exhibitors with relevant products, services and concepts. The first one of the 2026 expo is a tailored, guided tour from solution providers Overwatch AI, publicis sapient, Softtek, SYNECT and takeofftogether, covering Artificial Intelligence.

11:30 am – Keynote: Fireside Chat with Southwest Airlines

Keynote Fireside session with Southwest Airlines' Executive Vice President & Chief Information Officer, Lauren Woods

While the expo floor got moving, some attendees returned to the mainstage for the Keynote Fireside session with Southwest Airlines' Executive Vice President & Chief Information Officer, Lauren Woods. In conversation with FTE's Max Gosney, Woods discussed how Southwest Airlines will use technology to achieve its aim to be the world’s most loved, most efficient and most profitable airline.

12:00 pm - Session: "The Checkpoint Has Changed"

Disucssion panel for "The Checkpoint Has Changed: Horizon 25, Public-Private Partnerships and the Future of Airport Security" at FTE Global in Dallas

In the session "The Checkpoint Has Changed: Horizon 25, Public-Private Partnerships and the Future of Airport Security," panelists connected the technology, the paradigm shift and the passenger, examining how the new checkpoint era affects airports and what to do about it right now.

Thes session was moderated by Wendy Reiter, Managing Director, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport – Port of Seattle. Panelists included Jason Hausner, Managing Director - Passenger Facilitation, Delta Air Lines; Tom Ripp, CEO, Analogic; Yahav Ran, CEO, Synect; and Trey Huelskamp, Director of Growth, VMD Corp.

Following the sessions attendees enjoyed a lunch and networking break on the expo floor with exclusive launches and unveilings, followed by The FTE AI Symposium – Part 1: A little less conversation, a little more AI action.

5:35 pm – Keynote speaker
At 5:35 pm, Henry Harteveldt, President / Travel Industry Analyst and Advisor of Atmosphere Research Group moderated a keynote conversation with American Airlines CCO, Nat Pieper, as the airline celebrates its centennial.

9:00 a.m. – Day 2 opening keynote
The second day of FTE Global 2026 in Dallas welcomed attendees with the Day 2 Opening Keynote, "The Glowing Hearted edge: AI, innovation, and the human experience at Air Canada," delivered by Tom Stevens, VP Customer Experience and Service Operations, Air Canada, in conversation with APEX/FTE/IFSA CEO Dr. Joe Leader.

10:30 a.m. – Tech & Innovation Briefing on the expo floor

Today's Tech & Innovation Briefing on the exhibition floor is "Self-Service, Automation & Baggage" featuring exhibitors VIBEQUEST, Beaumergroup, LEONARDO, SITA and Sittig. The Tech & Innovation Briefings on the exhibition floor allow attendees to join guided tours and meet exhibitors with relevant products, services and concepts.

PAX Tech as your trusted source for news and event coverage
PAX Tech is proud to be a media partner for this event, providing live updates from Dallas and delivering exclusive post-show interview coverage. Follow PAX Tech Magazines on LinkedIn and Instagram to stay up to date.

See live updates from the expo floor below: