Air India and Global Airlines Explore AI, Smarter Bookings and New Travel Services at Lisbon Festival

Airlines across Asia and beyond are exploring new technologies to make air travel more convenient, with artificial intelligence (AI), flexible bookings, digital shopping and improved airport connections taking centre stage at the World Aviation Festival 2026 in Lisbon, Portugal, from October 13 to 15.

Air India is developing its Vista Digital Platform to connect inflight entertainment with other travel services. Announced in September 2026, the platform is designed to link entertainment, travel information, the airline’s website, mobile application and loyalty programme. Passengers may eventually be able to continue watching content across flights and explore destination experiences through the platform. Its phased rollout is expected to begin in the second half of 2027.

Singapore Airlines is also expanding booking flexibility through its New Distribution Capability system. The changes allow travel sellers to request different cabin classes for separate legs of a return journey, while additional options are being introduced for handling certain ticket refunds. Availability may depend on the booking system and travel partner.

Meanwhile, Japan’s ZIPAIR is expanding its AKIBA ZIP souvenir pre-order service through a partnership with Travel to Buy. The service allows passengers to order selected products before travelling and collect them on board or at the arrival airport, depending on the arrangement.

In India, the Ministry of Civil Aviation is expanding its hub-and-spoke connectivity programme to simplify international journeys from regional airports. Ahmedabad joined the initiative in September 2026, following Varanasi and Amritsar. Air India introduced two daily Ahmedabad–Delhi Easy Connect flights, offering onward connections to 26 international destinations through Delhi within four hours of arrival.

The airline industry is also strengthening links between air travel and hotel stays. Air India and IHG Hotels & Resorts announced a loyalty partnership in September, allowing eligible members to earn airline points on hotel stays and exchange IHG One Rewards points for Maharaja Points.

Beyond passenger services, aviation technology is advancing in areas such as aircraft maintenance, flight operations and airspace management. Singapore’s Civil Aviation Authority and its research partners are exploring the use of AI and other technologies to improve aviation operations.

The developments reflect a wider industry focus on making the entire travel journey more connected, from booking flights to reaching destinations and earning rewards. However, several initiatives are still being developed or introduced in stages, and their availability will depend on individual airline services and booking conditions.

The World Aviation Festival brings together airline, airport and travel technology professionals to discuss developments in digital retail, customer experience, payments and aviation operations. The discussions highlight how technology could shape future travel, while the real impact will depend on how effectively these solutions are implemented for passengers.