Los Angeles area Event report • Committees
The Future of Air Travel
From autonomy and decarbonization to new ways of flying: how the future of air travel is shaping up.
As part of SoCal Deep Tech Week, the FACC California launched the Los Angeles edition of its Mobility Committee with an exclusive panel discussion dedicated to the future of air travel, bringing together leaders from across the U.S. and Europe.
Hosted in Playa Vista at the Verizon Innovation Lab, the event gathered a diverse audience of founders, corporates, investors, and aviation experts for a timely conversation on how the industry is evolving at the intersection of sustainability, technology, and passenger experience.
The discussion featured a distinguished panel of speakers representing different segments of the aviation ecosystem:
- Air France–KLM (Delphine Deleger, Regional Station Manager – West Coast)
- Starburst (Felix Eid, Chief of Staff)
- ATOBA Energy (Arnaud Namer, Co-founder & CEO)
- Ampaire (Kevin Noertker, Co-founder & CEO)
The conversation was moderated by Matthieu Soulé, who guided the panel through key shifts shaping the aviation landscape on both sides of the Atlantic.
Key Themes and Takeaways
While perspectives varied across operators, startups, and investors, several common threads emerged throughout the discussion:
1. A decade of transformation ahead
Panelists converged on the idea that the next ten years will bring a profound rethinking of air travel, not only in terms of propulsion and sustainability, but across the entire passenger journey.
2. Decarbonization as a central driver
From sustainable aviation fuels to hybrid-electric aircraft, the path to reducing aviation’s environmental footprint is becoming clearer, though still complex. Collaboration across the ecosystem - from energy providers to manufacturers and airlines - will be essential to scale solutions.
3. Technology reshaping the travel experience
Beyond aircraft innovation, digital systems and integrated mobility solutions are expected to transform how passengers move from door to destination, creating a more seamless and connected travel experience.
4. Southern California as a global innovation hub
The discussion highlighted the unique role of the Los Angeles ecosystem (particularly in areas such as electric aviation, space, and advanced mobility) as a driving force in shaping the future of the industry.
Following the panel, attendees continued the conversation during a networking session, reinforcing the value of bringing together diverse stakeholders across the mobility ecosystem. The event created meaningful connections between entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders, reflecting the collaborative spirit needed to address the sector’s most pressing challenges.
We extend our sincere thanks to all speakers for sharing their insights and vision, and to SoCal Deep Tech Week for the opportunity to be part of this flagship gathering.
Special thanks to Verizon Innovation Lab for hosting the event, and to UDV Group for contributing to the evening’s atmosphere with delicious food!
